Casual pre-comp chat between two friends and teammates at the IBJJF Pan Ams in California. This was either the day before or the same day Felipe Costa and Christian stepped on the mats to compete.
Christian Montes (founder of Ronin Athletics in NYC, now proudly GracieJJ-affiliated) received his Black Belt from Felipe and has been carrying the flag of quality Jiu-Jitsu on the East Coast since even before that.
Cool to look back at these moments and see how far the journey has taken us—from competing and coaching, to helping the next generation of grapplers reach their goals
I just uncovered a treasure trove of footage from a seminar in Poland—videos of me rolling nonstop with students at the legendary Berserker’s Team @btgympolska!
I’ve been visiting this powerhouse team since 2005, forging a deep connection with them almost immediately after earning my black belt in 2002. Led by the iconic Bagi @piotr.baginski.18, Berserker’s isn’t just the most dominant team in Poland—winning countless national titles—it also has the highest student retention rate I’ve ever seen in BJJ. Looking back at old group photos, nearly everyone is still training today, now as black belts. That kind of loyalty and longevity is rare!
Many of the students I rolled with round after round in this footage are now black belts themselves. In this clip from September 21, 2011, you’ll see Sandra Paszkiewicz @sandrapaszkiewicz and others in action. These days, they could probably tap me out, but thankfully, they choose to be kind!
At the time, Berserker’s academy was inside a bunker—with barely any fresh air. The fog would get so thick you could hardly see a few meters ahead, and within minutes, every gi was drenched!
I’ll be posting all the footage—FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss it. Tag a teammate who was there with us!
Who is Felipe Costa? Felipe Costa, a multiple-time BJJ World Championship medalist, has been a key figure in the Polish BJJ community since 2005. As a mentor to the Berserker’s Team, led by Piotr "Bagi" Bagiński, he has helped shape the team’s technical growth and championship success. His long-standing connection with the team has fostered not only high-level Jiu-Jitsu but also an unmatched sense of dedication and camaraderie. Today, many of the practitioners he trained with have earned their black belts, further cementing Berserker’s Team as one of the most respected BJJ academies in Europe.
Felipe Costa es un destacado competidor y profesor de Jiu-Jitsu Brasileño, reconocido por sus logros en la categoría de peso gallo. Obtuvo su cinturón negro en 2002 bajo la tutela de Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros. A lo largo de su carrera, Felipe ha ganado títulos mundiales en las principales federaciones de Jiu-Jitsu, incluyendo la IBJJF, UAEJJF y CBJJO.
Desde 2005, Felipe ha viajado regularmente a México para impartir seminarios y clases, siendo posiblemente el primer brasileño en enseñar Jiu-Jitsu de manera constante en el país. Su dedicación ha contribuido significativamente al crecimiento del Jiu-Jitsu en México, formando a numerosos estudiantes, entre ellos algunos de los mejores cinturones negros mexicanos. Actualmente, más de 10 ciudades en México cuentan con academias bajo su guía.
Además de sus logros competitivos, Felipe es conocido por su enfoque técnico y su habilidad para transmitir conocimientos, lo que lo convierte en una figura influyente en la comunidad del Jiu-Jitsu tanto en México como a nivel internacional.
Felipe Costa is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and renowned instructor, known for his highly technical and strategic approach to the game. Despite never being the strongest or most athletic competitor, he mastered the art of precision and leverage, excelling in positions like half guard. His ability to teach complex techniques in a simple and effective way has made him one of the most respected figures in the BJJ community.
Vídeo Raro! Avaliação Física Perdida com Itallo Vilardo e Felipe Costa em 2010, antes do Brasileiro da CBJJ
Hoje compartilho um vídeo especial de 2010, que pensei ter perdido, onde meu preparador físico, Itallo Vilardo, mede meu percentual de gordura antes de iniciarmos um treino. Itallo foi o primeiro profissional a me treinar, e ele carinhosamente me chama de "01". Atribuo a ele muitas das minhas conquistas no tatame, e nossa amizade permanece forte até hoje.
Itallo é faixa preta 5º grau em Jiu-Jitsu e formado em Educação Física. Reconhecido nacional e internacionalmente como referência em preparação física para esportes de combate, ele possui mais de 30 anos de experiência em artes marciais, incluindo judô, boxe e luta olímpica.
Por minha parte, tive a honra de conquistar títulos mundiais nas principais federações de Jiu-Jitsu, representando a categoria peso galo. Minha jornada no esporte foi marcada por perseverança e dedicação, alcançando o topo como faixa preta após desafios nas faixas coloridas.
🔥 Epic Comeback! CBJJO World Cup 2006 Semi-Final – From Defeat to Victory! 🔥This was one of the biggest comebacks of my career! In the semi-final of the CBJJO World Cup 2006, I had a horrible start, falling behind by several points. Everything seemed lost, but I refused to give up. Step by step, I fought my way back, reversing the match, securing my opponent’s back, and sealing the victory! This fight led me to the finals, where I went on to become World Champion.Watch this intense battle, where perseverance, strategy, and resilience made all the difference! Would you have kept fighting if you were this far behind? Let me know in the comments!#BJJHistory #EpicComeback #CBJJO2006 #BrazilianJiuJitsu #FelipeCostaBJJFelipe Costa (White kimono) X Ivaniel Oliveira (Blue Kimono)Who is Felipe Costa?Felipe Costa is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, World Champion, and one of the most technical and strategic competitors in the sport. Known for his precision, resilience, and ability to analyze fights, he has inspired generations of BJJ practitioners worldwide. Despite never being the strongest or most athletic fighter, Felipe's dedication, technique, and mindset have made him a respected figure in the sport.Felipe is also a passionate instructor, sharing his knowledge through seminars, online courses, and in-person training at his academy. His story proves that perseverance beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard enough.👉 Follow Felipe for more rare footage, expert insights, and exclusive BJJ content!
Lost Footage! Rolling Nonstop in Poland’s Legendary BJJ Bunker (2011): Felipe Costa & Tomasz Mucha
I found a folder filled with videos of me rolling with students during a seminar in Poland!
I’ve been visiting the Berserker’s Team @btgympolska since 2005, and they are among a select group I’ve been connected with almost immediately after earning my black belt in 2002.
What amazes me about this team, led by Bagi @piotr.baginski.18 , isn’t just that they are the most respected group in Poland—having won the national title countless times, just to name one of their many achievements—but also their incredible student retention. Looking at old group pictures from those early years, nearly everyone is still training today, now as black belts. It’s the highest retention rate I’ve ever seen in the world of BJJ!
Many of the students I rolled with nonstop, round after round, are now black belts themselves. In this video, filmed in September 21, 2011, you’ll see Tomasz "Mucha" Grieger @muchajitsu and others in action. I honestly love that those guys can kick my butt nowadays, but respecfully choose not to do.
Back then, Berserker’s academy was inside a bunker, with little fresh air to breathe—the fog would get so thick you could barely see a few meters ahead, and the gis would be soaked within minutes!
I’ll be posting all the videos, FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE since and they’re all fun to watch. Enjoy, and tag someone who was there with us!
Felipe Costa, a multiple-time World Championship medalist in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), has been a significant figure in the Polish BJJ community since 2005. Serving as a mentor and instructor for the Berserker's Team, led by Piotr "Bagi" Bagiński, Costa has played a pivotal role in the team's development and success. His regular seminars and training sessions have not only elevated the technical skills of the practitioners but also fostered a deep sense of camaraderie and dedication within the team. Under his guidance, many members of the Berserker's Team have achieved black belt status, contributing to the growth and recognition of BJJ in Poland.
Felipe Costa (White kimono) vs. Rogerio Taborda (Blue kimono) – IBJJF Worlds 2010 Battle!
#BJJ#IBJJFWorlds#BrazilianJiuJitsu#BJJMatches#JiuJitsuLifestyle
Who is Felipe Costa?
Felipe Costa is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and World Champion known for his technical precision, strategic mindset, and ability to inspire practitioners of all levels. Despite not being a dominant competitor in the lower belt ranks, Felipe defied expectations by achieving the ultimate title—becoming a Black Belt World Champion in the IBJJF World Championship (2003). His journey proves that dedication and intelligent training can overcome any obstacle.
After conquering the IBJJF World title, Felipe went on to achieve gold in all major IBJJF tournaments, including:
🏆 Pan Ams
🏆 Europeans
🏆 Brazilian Nationals
🏆 Rio Open
🏆 IBJJF International Master (which, for many years, was considered the Master Worlds, before this was was created)
Beyond IBJJF, Felipe also secured top titles in other prestigious federations, including:
🥇 CBJJO World Cup
🥇 Abu Dhabi World Pro
Throughout his 30+ years in Jiu-Jitsu, Felipe has traveled the world teaching, competing, and sharing his knowledge.
For more details, visit BrazilianBlackBelt.com or FelipeCosta.com
At a certain point in my career, I had to make a choice: I could be the guy who rarely competed and kept the "aura" of a World Champion, or I could continue stepping onto the mats, testing myself, and growing—no matter the outcome. In this clip, I share my thoughts on that decision and what it meant for my journey in Jiu-Jitsu.
Want to hear the full conversation? Watch the entire interview: https://youtu.be/ovnms5SH7Ko?si=orFW9BsyZ4M9KcXB
#BrazilianJiuJitsu#BJJMindset#WorldChampion#KeepChallengingYourself#jiujitsujourney
Who is Felipe Costa?
Felipe Costa is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and World Champion known for his technical precision, strategic mindset, and ability to inspire practitioners of all levels. Despite not being a dominant competitor in the lower belt ranks, Felipe defied expectations by achieving the ultimate title—becoming a Black Belt World Champion in the IBJJF World Championship (2003). His journey proves that dedication and intelligent training can overcome any obstacle.
After conquering the IBJJF World title, Felipe went on to achieve gold in all major IBJJF tournaments, including:
🏆 Pan Ams
🏆 Europeans
🏆 Brazilian Nationals
🏆 Rio Open
🏆 IBJJF International Master (which, for many years, was considered the Master Worlds, before this was was created)
Beyond IBJJF, Felipe also secured top titles in other prestigious federations, including:
🥇 CBJJO World Cup
🥇 Abu Dhabi World Pro
Throughout his 30+ years in Jiu-Jitsu, Felipe has traveled the world teaching, competing, and sharing his knowledge.
For more details, visit BrazilianBlackBelt.com or check out his interview on https://youtu.be/ovnms5SH7Ko?si=orFW9BsyZ4M9KcXB
IBJJF RULES - free course - I filmed this a while ago, there have been some small changes, but this is a great way to start understanding the rules if you want to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu https://youtu.be/ok2DWU0ZGg0
Legacy, defeat, ego, resiliense and retirement: my conversation with The ROL RADIO Podcast.
I had a fun conversation with Thomas and Gary from THE ROL RADIO PODCAST.
Here is what they had to say about it:
Felipe Costa will go down as one of the most notable rooster weights in Jiu Jitsu. He earned his spot by winning World championships in the 3 major Jiu Jitsu federations in the Black Belt division. But before he was a Black Belt Felipe never won a major tournament. In fact, even though Felipe was a regular competitor from the time he started Jiu Jitsu at the age of 12, he never even won a match until he was 16 years old.
Felipe was always able to accept his losses and over time move on. He accomplished this because he is a lover of the process of Jiu Jitsu, the training, the grind, and the losing as much as the winning. This isn't to say he wasn't bothered by his losses, but after a loss Felipe would gather himself and within a few days be back on the mats looking forward to his next tournament. He was always able to push forward, defeat his own negative thoughts, and after it was all said and done, become a legend in the sport of Jiu Jitsu.
Listen to episode #99 of The RŌL Radio to hear how Felipe became a champion as well as a variety of topics including; owning an academy vs being a traveling instructor, life after competition, his thoughts on legacy and ego, and more.
Listen to the RŌL Radio with the former European, Brazilian National, Pans, World and International Masters Champion, Felipe Costa. Episode Highlights: 5:55 Friends All Over the World 10:11 Managing Expectations 13:38 The Good and Bad of the Traveling Instructor 16:51 Jiu Jitsu’s Development Across the Globe 25:56 It’s in the Details 33:23 Developing Your Own Style 41:43 Surpassing the Struggles 51:34 Life After Competition 1:07:21 Where Do You Go from Here 1:14:15 Legacy 1:16:56 Adam Singer’s Question You can choose where to listen in the links below: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovnms5SH7Ko
: April 2010
: California – IBJJF Pan Ams
: NYC 
IL connection
