Vinicius Liberati, the reigning Super-Heavyweight world champion, is set to make a significant statement at the São Paulo BJJ Pro IBJJF Championship 2026, scheduled for November 21 at the Ginásio Poliesportivo José Correa in Barueri. Liberati has officially entered the Ultra-Heavy division, signaling a bold move up in weight class following a stellar year at Super-Heavyweight. His entry, alongside those of formidable female black belts Giovanna Jara de Souza and Giovanna Xavier Carneiro, promises to ignite the competitive spirit of this prestigious event.
Liberati's Ultra-Heavy Challenge
Vinicius Liberati, representing Soldiers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, arrives in Barueri with an impressive competitive resume and a current Elo rating of 1563, placing him as the world's 155th-ranked competitor. His career boasts 45 gold medals out of a total of 71. Liberati earned his black belt on the podium steps of the Brazilian Nationals in May 2022, a fitting recognition for a competitor who had already secured World, South American, and Brazilian National gold medals in lower belt divisions.
The 2026 season has been particularly remarkable for Liberati, who was introduced as the reigning European, Brazilian National, and world champion at Super-Heavyweight. His triumphs this year include winning the European and Brazilian National titles, and securing the World Championship at Super-Heavyweight, in addition to a runner-up finish at the Pan Championship. His competitive style, characterized by a blend of open guard expertise and relentless top pressure, has seen many of his black belt submission victories come from chokes from the back and arm-triangle chokes. This move to Ultra-Heavy, a division with no upper weight limit, presents a new challenge for Liberati, who has previously competed at Heavyweight and Super-Heavyweight. It will be compelling to see how his refined technique translates against potentially larger opponents.
Giovanna Jara de Souza: A Heavyweight Contender
The female Heavy division will feature the formidable presence of Giovanna Jara de Souza, a top-tier black belt from Dream Art BJJ. Rated at 1745 Elo and ranked 55th globally, Jara de Souza is a significant force in her category. Her career highlights include 42 gold medals and a total of 50 medals. Promoted to black belt by her mother, Lucinha Jara, in May 2023, Giovanna Jara de Souza has been a standout competitor since her juvenile days, securing two Brazilian National titles. Her success continued through the colored belts, with IBJJF World Championship titles at blue and purple belt, and a Pan Championship at purple belt. She even achieved the rare feat of qualifying for the ADCC World Championships as a purple belt in 2022. Her recent form includes a first-place finish at the Sul-Americano 2025 and third-place finishes at both the Brasileiro and European IBJJF Championships in 2025 in the Heavy division. Her entry into the São Paulo BJJ Pro signals her intent to continue her dominance and add another prestigious title to her growing collection.
Giovanna Xavier Carneiro: GFTeam's Medium-Heavy Threat
Also gracing the mats at the São Paulo BJJ Pro IBJJF Championship 2026 is Giovanna Xavier Carneiro, a highly skilled black belt from GFTeam Redentor. Ranked 206th in the world with an Elo rating of 1507, Carneiro brings a wealth of experience and a strong competitive drive to the Female Medium-Heavy division. With 46 career gold medals and a total of 62 medals, she has consistently proven her ability to reach the top of the podium. Giovanna Xavier Carneiro, who received her black belt from her father, Itagiba Carneiro, has an impressive track record from her colored belt days, including IBJJF World Championship titles at purple and brown belt, and a Pan Championship at purple belt. More recently, as a black belt, she secured gold at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NOGI in 2024 and the IBJJF BJJ Pro Curitiba in 2024. Her recent victory at the Manaus International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 in the Middle division further underscores her current form and readiness for high-level competition. Her presence in the Medium-Heavy division promises exciting matchups and a challenging bracket for all contenders.
Anticipation Builds for São Paulo
The São Paulo BJJ Pro IBJJF Championship 2026 is shaping up to be a must-watch event, with these elite black belts leading a strong field of competitors. While Liberati's move to Ultra-Heavy will undoubtedly be a central storyline, the formidable talents of Giovanna Jara de Souza and Giovanna Xavier Carneiro ensure that the female divisions will be equally compelling. As these athletes prepare to showcase their skills, the jiu-jitsu community eagerly anticipates the high-stakes battles and potential new champions that will emerge from Barueri.
Entry list — elite black belts
| Athlete | Event | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Giovanna Souza | São Paulo BJJ Pro | Heavy |
| Vinicius Liberati | São Paulo BJJ Pro | Ultra-Heavy |
| Giovanna Xavier Carneiro | São Paulo BJJ Pro | Medium-Heavy |
Elo and career medal counts from bjjmetrics. Entries are IBJJF black belt adult divisions only.
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