Charles Negromonte

Charles Negromonte was born on September 29, 1988, in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Growing up in the nearby town of Paulista, Charles initially showed little interest in martial arts, dedicating himself instead to football (soccer). He competed passionately until his local club closed due to financial difficulties. Following this setback, Negromonte shifted his focus to skateboarding, actively participating in freestyle competitions for several years. In 2005, his brother Orlando "Olhão," already training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at a local academy, introduced Charles to the gentle art. Inspired by his brother's dedication, Charles joined the same grappling team, marking the beginning of his journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Negromonte trained diligently at his local academy, progressing steadily from white to brown belt. After completing high school, he committed fully to pursuing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu professionally. Recognizing the need for advanced training and mentorship, Charles joined the renowned academy of Zé Radiola, one of the most successful grappling schools worldwide. Due to the considerable distance between his hometown and Radiola's academy, Negromonte chose to live at the gym, sleeping on the mats at the Gracie Barra headquarters in Pernambuco. During this period, Charles began coaching, gaining valuable international teaching experience through a three-month stint at the Copacabana academy in Poland, affiliated with Braulio Estima.

Seeking further technical growth, Charles relocated to England to train extensively under the mentorship of Braulio Estima and Victor Estima. Regularly traveling between Birmingham and London, he sharpened his competitive skills and deepened his understanding of high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Despite consistently reaching podium positions at major IBJJF tournaments as a brown belt, Negromonte frequently fell short in finals or semi-finals by narrow margins. Determined to overcome these near-misses, he requested to remain at brown belt for an additional year in 2011. However, after facing similar frustrations in 2012, Charles was promoted to black belt by Zé Radiola on July 1, 2012.

Following his promotion, Negromonte returned to England, primarily training with the Estima brothers in Birmingham. His frequent visits to London allowed him to train with legendary competitor Roger Gracie, who eventually invited Charles to join the Roger Gracie Academy permanently. With approval from both Zé Radiola and Braulio Estima, Negromonte accepted the offer, solidifying his place within London's elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community. In London, he regularly trains with high-level no-gi grapplers at Los Banditos, continuously evolving his competitive style by incorporating wrestling techniques and advanced leglock counters.

Charles Negromonte has established himself as a formidable competitor in international no-gi circuits. He qualified for the prestigious 2024 ADCC World Championship by winning the South American Trials at 88kg. Additionally, he secured double gold at the 2023 Brazilian No-Gi Nationals, competing in the heavyweight division. His consistent success, including becoming a six-time AJP Grand Slam champion, underscores his status as one of the leading no-gi competitors of his generation.

Negromonte is widely recognized for his technical versatility and strategic adaptability in competition. Known for seamlessly integrating wrestling and leglock counters into his game, Charles continually refines his approach to remain competitive at the highest levels. His ability to evolve technically and tactically has earned him respect among peers and fans alike, making him a standout competitor in both gi and no-gi formats.