Diego Borges - Best Finisher in BJJ Championships

A renowned grappler and a well-rounded martial artist, Diego Borges was born on 15 January 1990 in Manaus, Brazil.

Diego Borges’s first interaction with the grappling martial art BJJ happened in his early teenage years. He joined initial martial arts training at the age of 11. He started his martial arts journey with the contemporary traditional way of fighting, Capoeira. Many elite BJJ Masters, fighters, and coaches started their martial arts journey from Capoeira.

At 14, Diego Borges shifted his interest from Capoeira to Jiu-Jitsu, mainly because of the influence of his elder cousin. Borges’s cousin used to practice Jiu-Jitsu at José Augusto Gato’s Academy in Manaus. Borges joined the academy with his cousin and never looked back.

After seven months of intense training, sparring, and rolling sessions, Diego Borges was awarded Blue Belt in the Juvenile division while competing in his first World Championship. Apart from his first international performance, Borges decisively won the 2004 World Championship.

Diego Borges became a rising star of the 2006 BJJ Champions by winning three World Championship titles at 16.

After his remarkable achievements on the mat. Borges moved to Boa Vista island- which belongs to the Cape Verde Islands with his family. He continued his BJJ training by joining the Trindade Brothers Academy. Borges shared the role of the Trindade brothers in his success:

In 2010, Diego Borges was promoted to Brown Belt and displayed an elite BJJ fight performance in the Brazilian Championship and secured the title as a Brown Belt. In early 2011, after earning his brown belt, Borges competed in the World Championship. (California)

While continuing his training with the Trindade brothers, Borges's deep reverence for his first coach José Augusto Gato never diminished. He was in close contact with his first BJJ coach who awarded him with Black Belt in late 2011 before the World Pro Cup Trial in Manaus.

After receiving the Black Belt, Carlos Holanda persuaded Diego Borges to join the Checkmat Team to level up his skills and have more support when competing outside of Roraima and Manaus.

Apart from continuing his Jiu-Jitsu Journey, Diego Borges never stopped participating in wrestling competitions. He joined hands with the country’s national wrestling squad in 2013. Diego Borges was asked to coach the Bulgarian wrestling team due to his victory and widespread reputation. He welcomed this opportunity with both hands and joined the Bulgarian team.

Diego competed with Vladislav Kanchev while staying in Bulgaria. Although the fight ended with a draw. However, the impressive performance of Diego in the match opened ways to teach in Eastern European Countries. This opportunity proved to be beneficial in improving Diego’s No-Gi competitions.

In 2013, Diego Borges decided to join the renowned grappling academy, “Zenith Jiu Jitsu” owned by Rodrigo Cavaca and Robert Drysdale.

Diego Borges is not only World Brazilian Champion but also among the top 10 Middleweight Black Belt Champions.

The Middleweight Grand Prix tournament was held in Argentina last year. Diego Borges faced John Combs, a renowned Guillotine expert, on the podium. Borges, without wasting time, attempted a weep that John Combs perfectly passed. 

John Combs showed his elite grappling skills in his debut by attempting the triangle and wristlock. However, Borges's mature submission techniques dominated the mat.

Diego Borges won the match by scoring 4 points via advantage and adding one more title to his achievements.

This Heavyweight Grand Prix Season 5 finale was held between Jiu-Jitsu worker- Diego Borges and UFC champion Charles do Bronx. Both fighters showed their highly athletic skills on the podium.

In the start, Charles attempted a heel hook submission that gave him an advantage point in the first 2 minutes of the fight. Charles dominated for 6 minutes.

However, Being one of BJJ's aggressive fighters, Borges presented an excellent fight by defending all techniques of his opponent and won by points.

After defeating Charles, Borges shared about his training for this super match in his interview:

• 3X IBJJF World Champion
• 2X CBJJ Brazilian National Champion
• Copa Podio Runner-up (2013)
• IBJJF World Championship Runner-up (2011)
• CBJJ Brazilian National Runner-up (2014)
• 2X Copa Podio 3rd Place
• CBJJ Brazilian National Championship 3rd Place (2007 purple)

[THIRD PLACE] DIEGO BORGES VS NICHOLAS MEREGALI - SEASON 4 - BUENOS AIRES - ARGENTINA

DIEGO BORGES VS CLARK GRACIE - SEASON 2 PREMIÉRE - LIGHTWEIGHT GRAND PRIX - RIO DE JANEIRO - BRASIL

Diego Borges X Charles Tavares - Manaus International Open Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF 2016 -Final

DIEGO BORGES VS GABRIEL FEDOR - SEASON 4 FINALE - HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX - SÃO PAULO

Photo credit: @diego_borgesjj