Hannette Staack - 8 Times IBJJF World Champion

Hannette Staack is a 5th-Degree BJJ Black Belt under Andre Negao Terencio. She is 3 times Brazilian National Champion and 8 times IBJJF World Champion. She is an IBJJF Hall of Famer and associated with the Brazil 021 School of Jiu-Jitsu. Along with her husband and coach, Andre Negao Terencio, Staack instructs BJJ techniques to women.

Hannette Staack was born on 7 February 1979 in the northern area of Brazil, São Luís do Maranhão.

Though Staack was born in São Luís do Maranhão, she was brought up in Rio de Janeiro. She was only 2 years old when her family moved to Rio de Janeiro.

Staack started her BJJ training when she was 18. She was an athletic child from the very start. She was good at rock climbing. Her friend introduced her to BJJ. She was told that she has good grips and with such strong grips, she would ace in BJJ.

That is how she learned about BJJ and then started it in 1997.

Staack trained under Professor Fernando Cruz. Staack already had really good and strong grips because of rock climbing, that is why her BJJ game is so exceptional. Staack trained not only under Professor Fernando Cruz but also Master Flavio Figueiredo. But Master Flavio only supervised Staack’s training.

In an interview Hannette Staack said:

It was hard for Staack to train in BJJ as she was not financially strong. That 50% discount made BJJ learning easy for her and she loved her coach for that particular reason. She also received a full membership after only 1 month of training.

When Hannette Staack became a Purple Belt, Professor Fernando Cruz left the academy and said goodbye to his BJJ teaching career. Staack became disheartened as she thought she wouldn't find a good instructor. Luckily Master Flavio Figueiredo introduced her to Andre Negao Terencio, her new coach who later became her husband.

In an interview, Staack said that her inspiration behind BJJ is her coach Andre Negao Terencio. When she came to train under Andre, she just became a Purple Belt with not sufficient BJJ knowledge. It was Andre who refined her and made her a World Champion. Staack’s drive and focus made her extremely vigilant toward BJJ.

In 2005, Hannette suffered from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.  Her meniscus was completely damaged and she had to take a long break from BJJ. At that time Staack sought physical therapy. She was able to practice and compete after 3 months.

The knee injury turned out to be beneficial for Hannette as she had to completely change her BJJ game. She had to learn new ways for the application of BJJ techniques. Her BJJ knowledge was enhanced to a greater degree.

Hannette was so passionate and enthusiastic about BJJ, that she even left her job to train full-time. Her passion for BJJ was on another level. She was called crazy for leaving her job as it was difficult for a woman to make a living from BJJ even in Brazil.

Hannette Staack along with Andre Negao Terencio and Carlos Henrique, founded Brazil 021 School of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil. She is a women's BJJ instructor there.

After the success of Brazil 021 School of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, the trio, later on, branched out in America.

Hannette Staack received her Blue and Purple Belts from Professor Fernando Cruz.

In 2002, Staack won her first World Championship as a Purple Belt and became the IBJJF World Champion. She won the Championship after her 5 consecutive wins. It was the start of Staack’s success as till now she has won every championship in which she has participated.

In 2003, Staack again competed in the IBJJF World Champion and became the Dual World Champion.

In 2007, Staack traveled to New Jersey to compete in the ADCC Championship. There she competed in the 67 Kg division and became the ADCC Champion.

In 2009, Hannette Staack again became the ADCC Champion by defeating Penny Thomas. Hannette Staack is one of the 2 women who have earned the title of ADCC Double Champion.

During the 2007 ADCC Championship, Staack competed in the Absolute Championship and won against Kyra Gracie.

After Hannette's successful wins in ADCC, she was inducted into the IBJJF Hall of Fame in 2012.

After having a successful BJJ career, Staack wanted to try something new. Before her 42nd birthday, Staack had decided that she would compete in MMA.

Staack has been fascinated by martial arts ever since she entered the competitive circle. She likes to try new things that is why when she suffered from a knee injury, she adopted a new style of fighting. She gets kicks by trying new ways for the finishing of the same fighting techniques.

Staack trained under coach Andre Pederneiras for her MMA debut.

Hannette Staack made her MMA debut by competing against Lorrany Pinheiro and submitting her via Kimura in only 2 minutes and 34 seconds. Staack learned boxing and kickboxing techniques specifically for MMA.

Rosangela Conceicao is a Judoka, wrestler, and BJJ practitioner. She is a BJJ Black Belt under Sylvio Behring. Rosangela is a fierce fighter. She interprets her opponent's techniques and then counterattacks with her own. She tried to apply the single-leg takedown but Staack had a strong standing position. At last, Hannette Staack submitted Rosangela via Flying Armbar in just 1 minute and 12 seconds.

Fernanda Mazzelli is a 5th-degree BJJ Black Belt under Thiago de Oliveira. She is 3-time IBJJF World Champion. Hannette Staack, being older than Fernanda, had a more broad knowledge of BJJ techniques. Fernanda tried to gain the dominant stance but Hannette took her down by caging Fernanda’s head in her legs. Hannette Staack submitted Fernanda Mazzelli via Hee Hook in 4 minutes and 55 seconds.

Ida Hansson is a BJJ Black Belt under Leonardo Vieira. The most incredible thing about Staack’s game is that she stays in a standing position for a longer time and then suddenly she captivates her opponent’s head in his legs and goes for the flying armbar. She did the same with Ida and submitted her via Flying Ambar in just 3 minutes and 13 seconds.

Hannette Staack VS Valerie Worthington / Pan Championship 2012

Hannette Staack VS Monica Silva / World Championship 2009

Hannete Staack VS Hillary WIlliams / Pan Championship 2011

Hannette Staack - Rosângela Conceição ADCC absolute finals 2007

Photo Credit: @hannettestaack