Jorge Pereira

Full Name: Luiz Guilherme de Jesus

Nickname: “Guigo” (a childhood abbreviation for Guilherme)

Born: October 2, 1974 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Nationality: Brazilian

Weight Division: Pesadíssimo / Ultra-Heavyweight (over 100 kg / 221 lbs)

Team / Association: Equipe Guigo Jiu-Jitsu

Rank: Black Belt

Coach: Jorge Pereira

Biography
Luiz Guilherme, universally known in the grappling world as “Guigo,” is a highly respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a top ultra-heavyweight competitor of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Guigo began his Jiu-Jitsu journey at the young age of 6. He spent his entire training path—from white belt all the way to black belt—under the instruction of Jorge Pereira, a highly feared competitor and direct student of the legendary Rickson Gracie. Pereira recognized Guigo’s elite skills and competitive success, promoting him to black belt in 1997 when Guigo was 22 years old.

In 1996, just prior to receiving his black belt, Guigo took a major career step by moving from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo to establish himself as a head instructor. While he had previously served as an assistant coach under Pereira, this move gave him the room to build his own legacy.

He immediately made waves on both the local and international competitive circuits, with his crowning athletic achievement coming in 1997 when he conquered the IBJJF World Championship. Following his competitive prime, he transitioned fully into building Equipe Guigo Jiu-Jitsu into a highly formidable international team, establishing affiliates across Brazil and around the world, and developing top-tier champions like Meyram Maquiné.  

Grappling Style & Preferences
Despite competing in the sport’s heaviest weight category, Guigo was celebrated for his dynamic movement and elite technical execution, heavily favoring a crushing top game.

Favorite Position/Technique: Guard Passing

Main Achievements
1st Place: IBJJF World Championship (1997)

1st Place: IBJJF Pan American Championship (1998* – Weight & Absolute)

1st Place: CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (1995, 1996*, 1998, 1999*)

1st Place: São Paulo State “Paulista” Championship (1996, 1998, 1999*, 2002)

1st Place: Rio de Janeiro State Championship (1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997)

2nd Place: IBJJF World Championship (2002)

Note: (* Denotes winning or closing out both the Weight and Absolute divisions)

Lineage
Guigo’s direct BJJ lineage links him straight back to the sport’s most famous family branch via one of Rickson Gracie’s most notable students:

Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Jorge Pereira > Luiz Guilherme