Two more Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions have been added to ONE Championship’s submission grappling roster.
Lucas Pinheiro and Thalison Soares recently put pen to paper on new deals that will see them bring their elite skills to the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Pinheiro, who hails from Manaus, Brazil, represents Atos Jiu-Jitsu under the legendary Andre Galvao and trains alongside ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo and his twin brother, Tye.
The 29-year-old came into his own as a competitor at brown belt, and he continued that success following his promotion to black belt in 2015.
Pinheiro won prestigious tournaments, such as the IBJJF American and Brazilian Nationals, as well as the IBJJF Pan American Championships.
However, 2022 was the year he joined the elite with his first black belt World Title.
The Brazilian claimed the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship that December and then continued his momentum by winning the IBJJF World Title in the gi category this past June.
While most of his career has been spent in jiu-jitsu, Pinheiro has also competed under submission grappling rules against top-shelf opposition. And now, he’ll experience even more of that on the global stage.
Soares, who was originally born in Manacapuru, represents the famous Art of Jiu-Jitsu team under Rafael and Guilherme Mendes.
The 24-year-old produced one of the most decorated careers ever seen through the colored belts, winning the IBJJF World Championships at every level, as well as many other accolades.
After earning his black belt from Cicero Costha in 2019, the Brazilian made an instant impact at the top level.
Soares won the IBJJF No-Gi World Title in the same year, adding the European and Pan American Championships to his trophy case along the way.
Then in 2022, he took the IBJJF World Championship and only came up short in defending it against Pinheiro in the 2023 final.
That battle was fought at 127 pounds, IBJJF’s roosterweight division, which means the Brazilian pair will likely enter ONE’s flyweight submission grappling ranks as potential challengers to reigning king Mikey Musumeci.
Debuts for both men have not yet been confirmed, but stay tuned to ONEFC.com for more information.
