Considered one of the most competitive tournaments of the jiu-jitsu season, Brasileiros, will bring together the best jiu-jitsu athletes from Brazil and the world. 

Among the names confirmed for the black belt tournament which begins tomorrow is the outstanding Bianca Basilio, training under the renowned Caio Almeida. The 27-year-old São Paulo native, Basílio will return to the mats in search of her fifth black belt Brazilian national title. Basilio has won eight total Brasileiro titles including her colored belt run; she has black belt titles from 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022.

 Despite focusing much of her time on no-gi and MMA training, Basilio is optimistic about her search for her 9th Brazilian National gi title.

“Several things motivate me and the main one is to change,” Basilio said. “I fight to change. I’m doing what I love and consequently, changing my family's life, helping and encouraging young people to seek a good way to live and change their realities through the sport, being champions of life. When I started fighting, I didn't know where I would get, as an athlete or financially, but I chose to live off the sport. I'm working to be able to live from it and to help people to do that too. The road is long, but the view is beautiful and I'm on the way to conquer even more. I want to give my parents a house, and I will do that through fighting.”

The athlete also spoke about the main changes in her preparation for the Brasileiro and revealed that she is taking more care of her health and body, with her intention to enter up as a featherweight for the first time. 

“I'll be competing as a featherweight, where I feel strong, fast, and happy,” said Basilio. “I'm taking care of my health and some injuries, but I'm feeling very good and in the mood to do what I like, which is to fight.”

Basilio’s last bout was a no-gi match in March at ONE Championship in Singapore against world champion Tammi Musumeci. The closely contested battle went to a referee decision in favor of Musumeci. However, Basilio guarantees to be in her best shape and promises a different attitude for Brasileiros, where she’ll enter a pool of tough opponents - including her longtime rival Anna Rodrigues of Dream Art.

“I know that there are a lot of girls who have signed up and that makes me happy because this growth is what we have been looking for years and it's happening,” said Basilio. “Every year we can see the number of athletes in the women's divisions increase, and I think that is incredible. I am not worried about any opponent in particular. I'm going to put my jiu-jitsu to the game no matter who it is, and I hope to have the best fights of the event.”  

After the Brazilian Nationals, Basilio said, she will focus on training for the IBJJF Worlds, then on to her MMA debut. 

“I am very thankful to God for everything that I'm living, alongside the people who I love, which is my husband, family, and friends,” said Basilio. “I believe no one can stop someone who doesn't stop."

Watch the 2023 IBJJF Brasileiro live, only on FloGrappling.