Gabriel Arges

Gabriel Arges was born on January 29, 1993, in Brazil. Growing up, he actively engaged in various sports, initially exploring martial arts through Thai-boxing at age 14. Although his initial martial arts experience was brief, Arges primarily focused on soccer, serving as captain of his school's football team. At 16, influenced by friends who trained and competed, Gabriel discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and soon joined a local gym near his home.

Early Training and Development

Gabriel began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey under instructor Fernando Fialho at Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte. After 18 months of dedicated practice, he earned his blue belt. Seeking a more competitive training environment, Arges transitioned to the Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte headquarters, training under Marcelo "Uirapuru" Azevedo. Here, he formed a pivotal training partnership with Felipe "Preguiça" Pena, whose influence significantly shaped his technical growth.

Training Under Romulo Barral

In 2012, Arges followed Pena to Gracie Barra Northridge in California, where he began training under renowned coach Romulo Barral. Under Barral's mentorship, Gabriel flourished competitively, earning his brown belt after capturing his first IBJJF World Championship title in 2014. His progression culminated in receiving his black belt from Barral and Pena following his victory at the 2015 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship.

After securing his third IBJJF World Championship title in 2019, Gabriel Arges relocated from Brazil to Southern California, co-founding Gracie Barra academies in Thousand Oaks and Ventura. Shifting his primary focus to coaching post-2019, Arges significantly reduced his gi competition schedule to dedicate himself fully to his role as head instructor. He continues to actively mentor students and competitors, imparting his extensive competition experience and refined technical knowledge.

Despite prioritizing coaching responsibilities, Gabriel Arges remains an active competitor in select no-gi tournaments and superfights. In August 2021, he headlined the main event at Fight to Win 180, facing seasoned competitor Rafael Lovato Jr.. Additionally, Arges reached the semifinals of the 2022 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship in the Medium Heavyweight division, underscoring his continued relevance and competitive prowess at the highest levels of the sport.

Gabriel Arges is widely recognized for his technical versatility and strategic adaptability, excelling in both gi and no-gi formats. Deeply influenced by mentors Romulo Barral and Felipe Pena, Arges emphasizes sophisticated guard play, precise submission setups, and a balanced approach that blends aggressive competition tactics with meticulous technique execution. His strategic adaptability and ability to read opponents have consistently distinguished him in elite-level competition.