Yuri Simões began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at the age of nine, inspired and guided by his father. His early development was profoundly influenced by Maurício "Behring," who recognized Yuri's potential and actively encouraged him to compete. Following Behring's tragic passing in 2006, Yuri continued his training under Ricardo Vieira at Checkmat, refining his technical foundation and competitive mindset.

Under the mentorship of Ricardo Vieira at Checkmat, Yuri quickly rose through the ranks, earning his purple and brown belts while establishing himself as a promising competitor. In 2010, he briefly joined Atos academy but soon returned to Checkmat, reaffirming his dedication to Vieira's coaching philosophy. After an impressive competitive run in 2011, Vieira awarded Yuri his black belt, marking a significant milestone in his grappling career.

In 2013, Yuri joined the Caio Terra Association, adopting a mentorship role and emphasizing a wrestle-first approach to grappling. His style evolved significantly through dedicated wrestling and judo training, particularly influenced by his experiences at the American Kickboxing Academy. Yuri continues to mentor and develop athletes within the Caio Terra Association, sharing his extensive competition experience and technical insights.

Yuri Simões is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished no-gi grapplers of his generation. His tactical prowess and aggressive wrestling-based style earned him three ADCC world titles across multiple weight divisions. At the ADCC World Championship 2022, Yuri dominated the absolute division without conceding a single point, further solidifying his legacy. His numerous IBJJF World No-Gi titles underscore his consistent excellence. Yuri is set to face Gordon Ryan in a highly anticipated superfight at the ADCC World Championship 2024.

Yuri briefly transitioned to mixed martial arts competition under the ONE Championship banner. Despite rigorous preparation, including intensive wrestling-focused training, he recorded an 0–2 MMA record. Following this brief stint, Yuri returned to grappling competition, swiftly reestablishing his dominance in major tournaments.

At the ADCC World Championship 2019, Yuri sustained a significant knee injury during his match against Kaynan Duarte. After undergoing surgery and a meticulous rehabilitation process, he successfully returned to elite competition. To maintain competitive sharpness between major events, Yuri participated in professional grappling showcases such as the UFC Fight Pass Invitational and Polaris, demonstrating resilience and unwavering commitment to his craft.

Yuri Simões is known for his aggressive, wrestling-oriented grappling style, seamlessly integrating wrestling and judo techniques into his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game. His preferred techniques include the dynamic Drop Seoi Nage and strategic use of the Open Guard, both of which he employs effectively at the highest levels of competition. Yuri's technical versatility, tactical intelligence, and relentless pressure have established him as both a formidable competitor and respected coach within the grappling community.