The Grappling Fight Team (GFT) headquarters in Rio de Janeiro has consistently produced some of the top talent in the jiu-jitsu world, and now GFT founder Julio Cesar is ready to unleash his newest weapon on the jiu-jitsu world, featherweight Amanda Monteiro.

Under the sixth-degree coral belt Cesar’s tutelage, many of the sport’s biggest names have blossomed, and Monteiro promises to be another in a long list of potential world champions. 

Cesar awarded Monteiro her black belt after a dominant 2017 run at brown belt in which she won double gold at Brazilian Nationals and an IBJJF World championship. Since the promotion, Monteiro wasted no time and has been on a tear at the black belt level, going undefeated through several competitions.

Julio always takes me out of my comfort zone in training. That made my jiu-jitsu evolve a lot.

Monteiro's first test after the promotion was the UAEJJF Grand Slam Los Angeles. She placed first in L.A., then went on to win two other subsequent Grand Slam events. After her gold medal performances at the Grand Slams in Rio de Janiero and Abu Dhabi, Monteiro currently sits at third place in the UAEJJF adult female brown/black belt rankings.

The IBJJF circuit simultaneously has been the focus in Monteiro's short black belt career. Already winning both the IBJJF South American Championships and No-Gi Pans, she has set her sights on the European Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, this week as her next conquest. 

Watch the 2018 IBJJF European Championships LIVE on FloGrappling

Monteiro's victories over world champ Talita Alencar in gi and no-gi and her win against no-gi world champ Patricia Fontes at No-Gi Pans made a big statement as to her ability to succeed at the highest level.

Photo: Vitor Freitas

While born in the national capital of Brasilia, Monteiro grew up in Sao Paulo. At 16 years old she began training jiu-jitsu and quickly became infatuated with the art. Eventually she would win a contest on a Facebook page that allowed her to live and train with GF Team.

“They have the best training in the world," she said. "It was always my dream to train with the best. When I received the opportunity, I didn’t think twice. Julio always takes me out of my comfort zone in training. That made my jiu-jitsu evolve a lot.”

Following in the footsteps of many of GF Team’s top black belts, Monteiro not only trains but also lives in the academy in Meier. Black belt star athletes such as Vitor Oliveira, Jaime Canuto, Jake Mackenzie, Gutemberg Pereira, Max Gimenis, and others went the same route and lived in Cesar's gym for extended periods.

Monteiro's life has been completely dedicated to jiu-jitsu from the time she arrived in Meier: sleeping, eating, living in the gym, and training alongside current and future stars in the sport. She had to make sacrifices to improve that have since paid off in regard to her immense skills. 

“It is a little uncomfortable, especially for a woman," she said. "It is not easy to live in a gym, but I feel privileged with the opportunity and it makes me train more.”

During her inaugural year at black belt, Monteiro has set her sights on the four major IBJJF tournaments and the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro. This weekend in Lisbon at the 2018 Euros she faces a tough challenge in a stacked division containing Bianca Basilio, Maxine Thylin, Heather Raftery, and Emilia Tuukkanen. 

Monteiro is looking to compete as much as she can in 2018. 

“I want to compete the most I can to gain a lot of experience," she said. "I don’t think there is much technique difference between brown and black belt, but the experience counts a lot at this level.”