Felipe Pena

Early Life and Introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Felipe Pena was born on October 19, 1991, in Brazil. He began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at age 14, heavily influenced by his older brother, accomplished grappler Augusto "Tio Chico" Carsalade. Pena started training at the Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte kids program, laying the foundation for his lifelong dedication to the martial art.

Career Progression and Black Belt Promotion

Under the mentorship of Marcelo Azevedo at Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte, Pena rapidly advanced through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional talent and commitment. His consistent performances and technical growth culminated in receiving his black belt from Azevedo. Pena quickly emerged as one of the elite competitors of his generation, capturing prestigious titles at the ADCC World Championship, IBJJF World Championship, and Copa Podio Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Establishing FP Team and Coaching Philosophy

Founding FP Team

In 2017, Felipe Pena founded FP Team (Felipe Preguiça Team) in Belo Horizonte. Initially launched as FP Golden Team, this talent scholarship initiative identified promising young athletes, providing them full-time training and mentorship under Pena's guidance. Among his notable protégés is ADCC champion Pedro Marinho, who earned his brown belt directly from Pena.

Escola de Jiu-Jitsu Methodology

FP Team evolved into a comprehensive academy where Pena serves as head instructor. He implements his own Escola de Jiu-Jitsu methodology, emphasizing technical precision, adaptability, and strategic thinking to develop well-rounded competitors.

Strategic Move to Atos HQ and Training Under André Galvão

In 2022–2023, Felipe Pena strategically relocated his training camp to Atos HQ in San Diego, California, to train under legendary coach André Galvão. Motivated by the need to rebound from challenging matches, particularly his 2022 superfight against Gordon Ryan, Pena focused intensively on wrestling and tactical refinement. This strategic shift significantly elevated his competitive performance, as evidenced by his dominant victory at the ADCC South American Trials in 2023.

Competition Style and Technical Approach

Felipe Pena is renowned for his relaxed yet highly effective competition style, earning him the nickname "Preguiça" (lazy). Despite this moniker, Pena is recognized for his exceptional work ethic and technical evolution. He emphasizes constant adaptation, notably integrating wrestling and leg lock defense to address perceived weaknesses. Pena advocates that strong takedowns and positional dominance are essential for success in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition.

Notable Matches and Rivalry with Gordon Ryan

Felipe Pena holds two significant victories over Gordon Ryan, achieved between 2016 and 2017. Their rivalry reached a dramatic peak during a high-profile superfight at 2022 Who's Number One in August 2022. Tragically overshadowed by the death of Pena's close friend Leandro Lo the previous day, Pena displayed remarkable emotional strength by competing. Although he lost the match, Pena dedicated his performance to Lo's memory, earning widespread respect for his resilience and character. This ongoing rivalry continues to fuel Pena's pursuit of grappling excellence, including his qualification for ADCC 2024.

ONE Championship Grappling and Future Competition Goals

Felipe Pena signed to compete in ONE Championship's grappling events, expressing interest in facing the organization's top grapplers. In 2023, he decisively won the ADCC South American Trials, securing his spot at the 2024 ADCC World Championship. Pena openly states his ambition to reclaim the ADCC absolute title, continuing his pursuit of grappling excellence at the highest levels.

Personal Philosophy and Mindset

Felipe Pena advocates a philosophy rooted in resilience and continuous improvement, particularly in response to setbacks. He believes maintaining championship status is significantly more challenging than initially achieving it. Pena emphasizes stepping outside one's comfort zone to evolve as both competitor and coach. His willingness to integrate new elements such as wrestling and leg lock defense into his game demonstrates his unwavering commitment to growth and adaptation within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.