Julio Cesar Pereira
Black Belt 5° Degree
GF Team (Grappling Fight Team) — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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About
Full Name: Julio Cesar Pereira
Nickname: “Mestre Julio” (Master Julio)
Born: December 22, 1964 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Nationality: Brazilian
Weight Division: Peso Leve / Lightweight (76.00 kg / 168.0 lbs)
Team / Association: Grappling Fight Team (GF Team) / Formerly Gama Filho
Rank: Coral Belt
Coach: Monir Salomão
Biography
Master Julio Cesar Pereira is a highly revered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu figure and the foundational head coach of the globally renowned Grappling Fight Team (GF Team). His martial arts journey began in 1974 under the guidance of Monir Salomão—a prominent black belt under Grand Master Oswaldo Fadda. Julio trained under Salomão’s tutelage for his entire colored belt career, eventually earning his black belt from him. In addition to his BJJ mastery, Julio also attained a black belt in Judo and cross-trained extensively in Luta Livre (Brazilian submission wrestling).
In his early teaching career, Master Julio, alongside Marcus Bello and Alexandre Baraúna, took over the coaching responsibilities of the Gama Filho Jiu-Jitsu Academy, which was located on a university campus in Rio de Janeiro. Under this trio, Gama Filho grew into one of the most dominant competitive powerhouses in the state.
Following the passing of the team’s financial backer, Pedro Gama Filho, the university requested a separation from the team in 2007 as several athletes transitioned into Mixed Martial Arts. This catalyzed the rebranding of the roster into what is known today as GF Team.
To support underprivileged athletes striving to train full-time, Master Julio opened a fighter house at the team’s headquarters named the “Cachanga.” By providing food, shelter, and world-class training, he catapulted a generation of athletes from poverty into international stardom. In 2018, Master Julio relocated to Orange County, California, to further expand the team’s global footprint.
Grappling Style & Preferences
Master Julio Cesar developed a reputation for forging an incredibly aggressive, heavy style of guard passing within his academy, a technical trademark that his top students utilized to dominate the sport.
Favorite Position/Technique: Guard Passing
Main Achievements
2x Black Belt World Champion (Senior & Master Divisions)
21x Rio de Janeiro State Champion
Elite Black Belts Produced
Master Julio Cesar has developed dozens of world-class competitors who have captured the sport’s highest honors, including:
Rodolfo Vieira (Multi-time Black Belt World Champion & UFC Veteran)
Vitor Henrique Oliveira
Ricardo Evangelista
Igor Silva
Black Belts Promoted 25
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