Bernardo Faria

Bernardo Faria was born on January 26, 1987, in Brazil. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey began in 2001 at age 14, when his close friend Pedro Cid invited him to train at a gym led by Ricardo Marques. This initial exposure ignited Faria's passion for the martial art, laying the foundation for his future success.

Faria entered the competitive scene in 2003 at the World Cup (CBJJO) as a junior competitor, initially facing setbacks due to inexperience. Undeterred, he returned stronger in 2004, earning a silver medal in his weight class and bronze in the open weight division, subsequently receiving his blue belt that same year. In 2006, Faria captured the Brazilian National Cup title and became World Champion in the Absolute Division at purple belt, leading to his promotion to brown belt in 2007. Despite facing challenges—including an appendicitis operation in 2007 and a meniscus injury in 2008—he remained committed to his competitive aspirations.

In 2009, Bernardo Faria received his black belt from Ricardo Marques. Driven by a desire to pursue Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu professionally, he relocated to São Paulo to train at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu under the mentorship of Fabio Gurgel. With Marques' full support, Faria quickly established himself as a dominant force in the super-heavyweight division, securing multiple IBJJF World Championship titles, notably in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

Bernardo Faria is renowned for his fundamental, pressure-based style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His tactical approach emphasizes strong positional control, relentless pressure passing, and a deep conceptual understanding of foundational techniques. Faria's methodical and systematic style has significantly influenced practitioners who value a structured, pressure-oriented game.

In 2017, Faria co-founded BJJ Fanatics, an online platform dedicated to grappling instruction. Through this venture, he curates and produces instructional content featuring elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes and instructors. His consistent sharing of daily technique videos and insightful interviews has attracted a substantial global following, further solidifying his influential role within the BJJ community.

Leveraging his conceptual and fundamentals-driven approach, Bernardo Faria established the Bernardo Faria Academy in Bedford, Massachusetts. The academy provides instruction for practitioners of all skill levels, emphasizing foundational techniques, positional mastery, and conceptual learning. It has become a sought-after destination for students worldwide seeking Faria's expert guidance and structured teaching methodology.

Bernardo Faria's contributions to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu were formally recognized in 2022 with his induction into the IBJJF Hall of Fame. Although effectively retired from active competition since around 2017, Faria continues to significantly impact the global BJJ community through seminars, special events, and his extensive online presence. As a respected ambassador for the sport, he remains dedicated to spreading knowledge, emphasizing fundamentals, and promoting conceptual understanding both on and off the mats.