Sofia Amarante - IBJJF NoGi World Champion

Sofia Amarante was born on November 7, 1980, in Houston, Texas, USA, and grew up in Florida. She maintained a high level of physical activity throughout her childhood and adulthood. She was introduced to sports from a young age and participated in swimming and tennis.

Sofia’s martial arts journey began when she met her husband, Felipe, who was already practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and he introduced her to the discipline. At 23, Sofia started working as a Deputy Sheriff at Broward Prison. Her job was rough, so she needed to learn to defend herself, and BJJ solved the problem.

Sofia began her journey in jiu-jitsu with Armando Conde. He is the first known European grappler to earn a black belt in BJJ and guided Sofia to become the first-class fighter she is today. Conde played a crucial part in Sofia’s early development as a first coach and awarded her the blue belt.

At last, Conde had to move back to his country Portugal, and Felipe and Sofia began training with other instructors who were also top in the following league. These instructors include Josh Manso, Saul Alencarm, and Daniel Valverde. They continued their training and, meanwhile, opened a jiu-jitsu academy.

After a while, Sofia sought a deeper connection with a team, and then her path crossed with Roberto Abreu, also known as “Cyborg.” She was instantly drawn to his positive energy and leadership skills and decided to join “Fight Sports”, his renowned team. The new affiliation with a group and supporting training environment gave Amarante a sense of belonging.

Amarante’s skills flourished while training with Fight Sports, and she became one of the top athletes in the light-featherweight division worldwide. However, her journey was far more challenging than it sounds.

Balancing a full-time job as a Deputy in jail, which required at least one hour of commute, she was also responsible for raising her child. Despite her challenging life, she achieved unprecedented success by winning significant titles with the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) as a purple and brown belt.

Sofia’s determination, accomplishments, and dedication to the BJJ led her to achieve her ultimate goal of a black belt in December 2010. Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu led the ceremony, which made Sofia the first female back belt under his guidance.

This milestone for Sofia left a significant mark of achievement in her martial arts journey. It solidified her position as a respected and accomplished fighter in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Mayssa Bastos and Sofia Amarante faced an epic battle at the World NoGi Championship in 2021. Both highly skilled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners brought their A-game to the mats.

The match displayed technical prowess and relentless determination from both competitors. Mayssa and Sofia demonstrated incredible athleticism, strategy, and a deep understanding of the art of BJJ.

In the end, the match was a testament to the high level of skill possessed by both athletes. While Mayssa Bastos emerged as the victor, Sofia Amarante showcased her immense talent and left a lasting impression on the BJJ community.

Their showdown will be remembered as a thrilling clash between two elite competitors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Facing off against an experienced opponent in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, including a memorable match against Claudia Kvenbo at the Pan Championship in 2012, Sofia demonstrated her technical prowess and strategic mindset.

She displayed impeccable takedowns, fluid transitions, and a relentless offensive game throughout the match. Her years of dedicated training and relentless pursuit of excellence were evident in her move.

Sofia demonstrated her agility and resilience in the face of Claudia’s tough defense, continually seeking ways to strengthen her position and win submissions. Both competitors pushed themselves to the edge during the back-and-forth encounter.

Sofia Amarante emerged victorious, securing a well-deserved victory at the Pan Championship. Her performance in this match highlighted her exceptional skills and determination, cementing her status as a formidable competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Sofia Amarante faced Gezary Matuda in the 2013 Pan Championship semi-final, light featherweight division. As the fight started, Matuda tried to take down Amarante twice but failed. However, she maintained a strong grip on Amarante’s Gi lapel, trying to pull Amarante in a closed guard. Amarante managed to escape all such attempts and tried to secure the dominant position, but couldn’t. The struggle continued for a few seconds, and the referee was then instructed to restart the match. Matuda again started by pulling Amarante in a guard, while Amarante trapped her opponent’s foot. Unfortunately, she couldn’t secure the submission via heel hook as Matuda managed to escape in time. Amarante flipped on her back in the final attempt, pulling Matuda on top of her. Both fighters struggled to gain the dominant position. Eventually, Amarante trapped Matuda’s neck in between her ankles for a choke. After a tough fight that lasted for a quick three minutes, Amarante submitted Matuda and stood victorious.

Sofia Amarante’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) career has been marked by numerous memorable combats, showcasing her skills, tenacity, and competitive spirit. Here are some noteworthy highlights from her BJJ journey:

In 2012’s Pan Championship, Sofia displayed her technical prowess and determination against Claudia Kvenbo and secured a well-deserved victory.

While competing in the biggest stage of BBJ, Sofia encountered opponents way above her league and showcased her exceptional abilities. Her performances at this top event secured her reputation as a formidable competitor.

Amarante proved her ability in the light-featherweight division by securing a gold medal in demanding and challenging matches. Her strategic approach in the matches of this tournament was on full display.

Sofia demonstrated her worldwide competitiveness in a fiercely brutal international competition by placing her on the podium and being known as the best athlete in her weight class.

She competed in multiple Fight To Win Pro events, displaying her abilities in prominent competitions against other skilled BJJ practitioners. Sophia gained valuable experience from these matches, which helped boost her reputation.

Sofia has participated in Grappling Industries competitions, where she has regularly displayed her technical proficiency and competitive spirit. She was able to test her abilities in these situations against different opponents and playing strategies.

Amarante has been invited to participate in super-fight competitions against other skilled BJJ practitioners throughout her career. In these matches, she put herself up against the top competitors, which also helped her acquire more recognition from the BJJ community.

Sofia has participated in open mat sessions with multiple accomplished practitioners, sharing tips and honing her abilities. These lessons have played a crucial role in her development as a martial artist.

Mayssa Bastos v Sofia Amarante / World NoGi 2021

Sofia Amarante VS Claudia Kvenbo / Pan Championship 2012

Sofia Amarante VS Gezary Matuda / Pan Championship 2013

Photo Credit: @sofia_amarante