Hiago George

Early Life and Martial Arts Introduction

Hiago George was born on July 2, 1993, in Cícero Dantas, Bahia, Brazil. At age 12, his family relocated to Livramento de Nossa Senhora, also in Bahia. Initially drawn to martial arts through boxing, Hiago began training under coach Paulo Gustavo. His introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu occurred when a close friend named Neto invited him to a local academy led by coaches Alex Azevedo and Wbiara Dantas. After experiencing his first grappling class, Hiago quickly developed a passion for the sport.

Transition to Full-Time Jiu-Jitsu

Initially, Hiago balanced boxing and jiu-jitsu training simultaneously. However, after six months, he recognized that dividing his attention between two combat sports limited his progress. He made the strategic decision to focus exclusively on jiu-jitsu. Shortly thereafter, his academy merged with a larger team from Vitória da Conquista, led by Fábio Medeiros of Gracie Barra. From the beginning, Hiago set ambitious goals, determined to become the best light-featherweight grappler in the world.

Joining Cícero Costha's PSLPB Team

In 2013, Hiago traveled to São Paulo to compete at the CBJJE World Championship, where he captured the purple belt title. During this trip, he visited the renowned PSLPB academy led by Cícero Costha. Impressed by the intensity and high-level training environment, Hiago decided to relocate permanently to São Paulo to train under Costha. Under Cícero's mentorship, Hiago rapidly advanced through the ranks, earning his brown belt and subsequently his black belt in August 2015. Notably, although all previous belts were awarded by Fábio Medeiros, Cícero Costha traveled personally to Medeiros' academy to award Hiago both his brown and black belts, demonstrating respect for his former instructor.

Competition Style and Tactical Approach

Hiago George is widely recognized as a crafty veteran with a highly tactical competition style. Known for securing victories through strategic advantages and precisely timed sweeps, Hiago consistently demonstrates technical precision and meticulous game-planning. His calculated approach has regularly placed him on the podium in the fiercely competitive rooster and light-featherweight divisions. Grappling media have noted Hiago as "almost guaranteed to hit the podium" at major events, underscoring his reliability in divisions stacked with elite talent such as Mikey Musumeci and the Miyao brothers.

Standout Year: 2019 World Pro and Brasileiro Titles

2019 marked a significant milestone in Hiago George's competitive career. He secured the prestigious UAEJJF World Pro title and became the Brazilian National Champion (Brasileiro) in the light-featherweight division. These victories brought substantial prize money totaling approximately $11,700, which Hiago notably prioritized to support his family back home in Bahia. This standout year solidified his international reputation and highlighted his dedication to both his sport and his family.

Mentorship Role at PSLPB Academy

As an experienced black belt, Hiago George has embraced a mentorship role at Cícero Costha – Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem. He regularly drills and shares tactical insights with rising talents such as Cleber Sousa and Meyram Maquine, guiding them through the rigorous training system that shaped his own competitive success. Hiago has also expressed interest in coaching internationally, having conducted seminars in Europe and Abu Dhabi. While he may eventually transition into a full-time coaching role, he remains an active competitor and continues contributing significantly to PSLPB's prominence in the lightweight ranks.