Victor Estima - 4th-Degree BJJ Black Belt

Victor Estima is a 4th-degree BJJ Black Belt under Carlos Gracie Junior. His first instructor was Ze Radiola. Victor Estima is known as one of the greatest middleweight fighters in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is famous for creating a new BJJ technique, “Estima Lock”.

Victor Estima was born on 8th January 1985 in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Victor was not an athletic child. He himself had no interest in martial arts when he was a child. His brother, Braulio Estima used to train in Judo. Victor was 8 years old when he started training in martial arts only because of his brother. At that time, Braulio Estima was 13 years old.

When Braulio left Judo, Victor followed his brother and did the same. Victor started training in BJJ along with his brother when he was 12 years old. It was only because of his brother because Victor had no interest in combat sports.

When Victor joined a BJJ academy, he trained under Charles de Anjos for a short period. It was because there was no 12-year-old who could train with Victor. All the students at the academy were adults so Victor had to train with them.

Due to having no partner to roll with, Victor lost interest in BJJ. He stopped training in BJJ but was never apart from the BJJ community. He used to support and praise his brother, Braulio Estima, in his competitions. He was always beside his brother. He used to go with Braulio and watch him compete.

This was the reason that Vicor could never isolate himself from BJJ.

After taking a long break, Victor returned to BJJ. It was not a break for him as he never thought that he would return to BJJ. But being close to BJJ all those years kept his native fighting spirit alive and he came back stronger. He wanted to make his name in BJJ. And with that spirit, he returned to his old academy to train under Charles de Anjos.

Unfortunately, Charles de Anjos had left the academy and Ze Radiola was the head instructor there. Victor continued training under Radiola. Despite being off the mats for a long time, Victor was well aware of BJJ techniques. It did not take him long to amaze Radiola with his skills.

It was also the result of his impressive observation skills. As he had watched his brother compete, he knew a lot about grappling techniques.

Victor’s spectacular performance in the gym led him to BJJ competitions. He used to defeat adult BJJ fighters while still being a teenager. In an interview with Martialedge, Victor Estima claimed that he never ever lost a match in Pernambuco. The Estima brothers displayed outstanding grappling skills that many fighters of their age lacked. This is what made them exceptional fighters.

In 2012, Victor Estima had a fight with Kron Gracie. After winning the match, Victor gestured a rocking baby to Kron. It resulted in bad blood between the two fighters. Later on, when there was a rematch between the two, Kron Gracie won and reciprocated the gesture.

But still, the rivalry continued. During Ultimate Fighting Championship 158, it was way too evident.

Victor followed his brother, Braulio Estima, to England. His brother had moved to England when Victor was only a Purple Belt. Braulio always had a positive effect on Victor. Braulio was the one who introduced BJJ to Victor. So it was natural for Victor to look up to his brother whenever he needed guidance.

Victor Estima was promoted to Black Belt by Carlos Gracie Junior in 2006. And it was Victor’s sheer hard work and determination that led him to this achievement. Along with Victor’s own efforts, it was his brother’s hand in all of this. As mentioned earlier, Braulio was the driving force behind Victor’s breathtaking fighting style.

As Braulio had moved to England, Victor used to travel there a lot. Finally, he settled in the United Kingdom. Braulio Estima opened Gracie Barra Midlands and invited his brother, Victor Estima, to work as an instructor.

Victor Estima trained MMA fighters while staying in the UK. He worked with the famous team, “Team Rough House”.

Victor was not scheduled to compete at the ADCC Championship in 2011, but a last-minute decision took him to compete. He did not win the championship but won the hearts of the BJJ community.

Victor competed in the World No-Gi Championship just a month after ADCC. He not only came first but also earned a Gold medal.

In 2012, Victor competed in the IBJJF European Championship and won Gold in the adult middleweight division.

Estima Lock is one of the strongest techniques in BJJ. It is also known as the deadliest move in BJJ. Estima lock is actually a foot lock that is extremely painful. Its grasp resembles a Rear Naked Choke. This technique was developed by Braulio and Victor Estima back in 2009. Victor had some problems with an inverted guard whenever his brother applied it in the sparring sessions. He tried to bring a change in foot lock with his brother and as a result, Estima Lock was developed.

Victor Estima is the founder of Gracie Barra Nottingham. He is the head coach at Gracie Barra. He is also the head of Gracie Barra UK.

Matthew Jubera or Matt Jubera is a 3rd-degree BJJ Black Belt. He has an aggressive fighting style. At the start of the fight, Matt lunged at Victor with his fierce leg attacks. Victor, being a skillful fighter, quickly dominated the fight and submitted Matt via Triangle Choke in only 3 minutes and 5 seconds.

Mike Fowler is a BJJ Black Belt under Lloyd Irvin. He is famous for his half-guard technique. Victor tried to go for the Estima Lock but Mike was aware of his fighting techniques. So Mike nullified every possibility of the attempt. Despite Mike’s every attempt to dominate the match, he couldn’t do so. Victor submitted Mike via Triangle Choke in only 2 minutes and 25 seconds.

Clark Gracie is a BJJ Black Belt under Carley Gracie. He is the descendant of the Gracie family. He was hyperactive throughout the fight. On the other hand, Victor Estima was calm and focused. Victor Estima had tight grips on Clark which is why Clark was not successful in his submission attacks. Victor Estima submitted Clark Gracie via the Estima Lock in just 3 minutes and 18 seconds.

Submission #1077 - Victor Estima vs Freddy Linhares

Submission #282 - Victor Estima vs Renato Tavares

Victor Estima VS Tony Eduardo / World Championship 2009

Photo Credit: @victorestimagb