Bernardo Faria is a highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt and instructor, born on January 20, 1987, in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He began his BJJ journey in 2001 at the age of 14, training under Ricardo Marques.Faria's competitive career has been marked by numerous achievements:
He received his black belt in 2009 from Ricardo Marques and subsequently moved to São Paulo to train under Fabio Gurgel at the Alliance team headquarters. This move propelled his career to new heights, allowing him to train with other world-class competitors.
Faria is known for his distinctive grappling style, particularly his proficiency with the deep half-guard and over-under pass. His favorite techniques include the wheel sweep, half guard, and Miragaia passing.
In 2015, Faria achieved a remarkable feat by winning double gold (weight and absolute divisions) at the IBJJF World Championship, solidifying his status as one of the top competitors of his generation.
Beyond competition, Bernardo has made significant contributions to BJJ instruction. He is the co-founder of BJJ Fanatics, a popular online platform for BJJ instructional content. Through this platform and his YouTube channel, Faria has shared his knowledge with a global audience, becoming one of the most recognized instructors in the sport.In 2018, Faria opened his own academy in Bedford, Massachusetts, where he continues to teach and develop the next generation of BJJ practitioners. He remains affiliated with the Alliance team and is also associated with the Marcelo Garcia Association.
Bernardo Faria's career exemplifies the journey from a small-town practitioner to a world-renowned competitor and instructor, leaving a lasting impact on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.