Three-time IBJJF world champion Mayssa Bastos has a new home. A black belt who graduated from GFTeam and spent three years representing Unity Jiu-Jitsu, Bastos revealed her move to the Art Of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ) team, led by the Mendes brothers.

Bastos and AOJ made a post on Instagram today confirming the move,  but rumors of a possible swap arose during the 2023 Brasileiro black belt finals last weekend. While flying the Unity flag in her campaign for gold, Bastos had Gui Mendes coaching her. During Bastos' light-featherweight final round against Adele Fornarino, Mendes provided spot-on instructions to Mayssa, offering precise strategic analysis leading Bastos to victory. Mayssa took the gold in the waning seconds of the match.

After a couple training sessions with the AOJ crew in the past months, and such chemistry on the mats with coaches and fellow athletes, Mayssa decided — after asking Unity coach Murilo Santana to approve the transition — to leave New York and head to Costa Mesa for AOJ. Now under the guidance of the Mendes brothers, Mayssa will train alongside Tainan Dalpra, Johnatha Alves, and Cole Abate, not to mention former training partners and old acquaintances from the mats, such as Diego Pato and Thalison Soares.

Bastos is on track to complete her second consecutive IBJJF Grand Slam. She won all four majors in 2022 at roosterweight, and has three of the four 2023 title in her clutches heading to Worlds, this time at light featherweight. Bastos could be an impactful addition to the growing squad of podium-prospect black belts at AOJ.

Can they make it count later this month? Tune in to the 2023 IBJJF World Championships to find out.