Anna Rodrigues - BJJ World Champion & Grappling Coach

Anna Rodrigues is a Black Belt BJJ fighter who has earned a place among the great fighters and grapplers of her era. She earned her rank while winning many IBJJF World and Pan championships under different categories and belts. Her coach Isaque Bahiense promoted her to black belt rank in 2019.

On 14th December 1998, she was born in Niteroi, Brazile. She was brought up by her grandmother in a small town until she turned 4. It was more similar to a rural area. After her 4th birthday, she was sent back to her parents in Favela Rio das Pedras.

Next 11 years, Anna Rodrigues lived in Favela Rio das Pedras, a region near the Barra da Tijuca coastal line. She was fond of sports even from her early childhood.

When she turned 8, she was willing to join sports as her career. She told her parents that one day she will make a place among the great athletes of the world. Before starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, she participated in many other sports like volleyball and gymnastics. At that time, Anna was unable to bear the cost of joining any professional gym. 

Anna has spent very energetic and active teenage years. In her town and school, she used to fight with her fellows, and sometimes cause trouble for her parents.

At the age of 13, when she took her first BJJ class, she felt she found her purpose, and passion, and felt like something Anna wanted to pursue as a career. She did not find feelings in any other sport than in BJJ. Rodrigues said that she did not feel as emotional about any other game as she felt for BJJ. She loved the happiness and the sense of fulfillment that BJJ provides. BJJ gave her a way to express herself on the mat. She selected BJJ as a professional martial arts career and devoted her time, energy, and capabilities to BJJ.

Anna started her training in team MR under the coaching of Márcio Rodrigues. He trained  Anna until her Blue Belt. Until then, she was much involved in BJJ. When she was in team MR, she met Lucas Barbosa. Lucas Barbosa, also known as the Hulk is one of the members of the Atos Team.

Before going to Alliance and becoming a prominent member of a Dream Art project, 15 years old Anna Rodrigues also joined Guigo JJ academy for some time on a full scholarship. This was an opportunity to level up her skills and proficiency in BJJ. Anna was promoted to the rank of Purple Belt in Guigo JJ Academy.   

Lucas Barbosa was a good friend of Anna from her early days in the MR team. He joined Atos after leaving the MR team. With the help of Hulk, Anna also started working with Atos as she fought many bouts on behalf of Atos Academy.

When in Alliance, Anna met with Isaque Bahiense. At that time, both of them were facing some financial problems. Isaque Bahiense initiated a project for financially weak BJJ practitioners. Anna Rodrigues helped him to grow his work.

After some time, Anna joined Alliance in São Paulo and it opened new dimensions for her in terms of growth, wins, and skills. Anna Rodrigues progressed to the level of the Black Belt in September 2019. She received her Black Belt from Isaque Bahiense. She was very confident about her profession as she said,

Isaque Bahiense started a female team in the Dream Art Project under the supervision of Anna Rodrigues. Dream Art Project provided basic financial support for the novice athletes like medical expenses, and other necessities. Athletes who were weak in English. So spoken English coaching was given to Anna. Anna Rodrigues became the primary person in this project.

Anna Rodrigues also wanted to conquer the world of fashion. She wanted to launch her own brand. For this purpose, she has been studying fashion for the last two years. She also felt passionate about fashion but her love for BJJ overcame all other pursuits.

Start of The Fight

This fight is between Anna Rodrigues and Talita Alencar in the European Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF 2020 Championship. Anna showcased a memorable performance. Anna successfully strangled Talita by grabbing her lapel and frustrated Talita and won the fight by an advantage point.

Anna Rodrigues won this fight from Gabriela by DQ. Anna was fantastic in this fight. She got hurt due to a head collision but she continued to amaze the audience with her magical spirit of gentle art.

Anna Rodrigues defeated Monteiro Canuto in Grand Slam Abu Dhabi 2021. Both fighters  displayed great performance and technical moves. She dominated her opponent with her strong  closed-guard game. In the end, Ana submitted her with an armbar.

Anna Rodrigues gave a fantastic performance by winning 17 matches with submissions. Rodrigues represented herself as a great black belt by winning 91% of the matches. Anna’s great record reflects that she never lost any match due to submission.  

Anna Rodrigues VS Ana Talita Alencar / European Championship 2020

Ana Rodrigues v Gabriela Pereira / European 2022

Mayssa Bastos & Ana Rodrigues Set To Throwdown At Light-Feather

Ana Rodrigues v Rita Lynne / World Championship 2021

Photo credit: @a.rodjj