Gracie Barra is like a big family, open to people of all ages and backgrounds!
PROF. SEIDLER RODRIGO
Gracie Barra West Jordan
Professor Matheus Costa
Interview with Prof. Matheus Costa
Getting to Know Prof. Matheus Costa: Insights and Stories from a Passionate Jiu-Jitsu Instructor.
JIU JITSU CLASSES
Can you introduce yourself to our readers? Tell us a bit about your background, your family, and your role here at Gracie Barra Utah.
My name is Matheus Costa. I’m married to Cecília, and we have a 5-year-old daughter named Helena. I’ve been a black belt since 2015 and joined the Gracie Barra Utah team in 2024. I’m originally from Brazil, and Jiu-Jitsu has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. Here at GB Utah, my goal is to share my experience on the mats and help our students grow both as athletes and as individuals.
How did you first get started in martial arts? What drew you to it as a kid?
I started training Judo when I was about seven or eight years old, and from that moment I knew I wanted to be involved in martial arts. When I was thirteen, I watched the fight between Minotauro Nogueira and Bob Sapp in Pride, and that moment completely changed me. I knew I wanted to follow the path of Jiu-Jitsu.
Have you ever competed in Jiu-Jitsu? If so, what was that experience like, and do you still enjoy competition?
Yes, I started competing as soon as I began training. When I was thirteen, still a white belt, I entered my first tournament and won. That victory made me fall in love with competition. Since then, I’ve competed in hundreds of tournaments, and I still truly enjoy testing myself and growing through competition.
At what point did you realize Jiu-Jitsu would become more than just a hobby for you?
From the beginning, I dreamed of becoming a professional athlete. Over time, I started to understand that Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a sport. It’s a lifestyle, a philosophy, and a community. That’s when I realized it was my true path.
How did your experience as a young athlete influence the life decisions you made, like leaving your engineering degree to pursue Jiu-Jitsu full time?
I used to joke that engineering was my hobby because my heart was always on the mats. Eventually, I realized I couldn’t give my best to both. Jiu-Jitsu was what made me feel truly alive, so I decided to give it everything I had. I’ve never regretted that choice.
How did it feel when you received your black belt? And how has your journey continued since then?
Earning my black belt was a huge milestone, but I always saw it as part of the journey, not the end. For me, it meant I was ready for new challenges and to compete among the best. The black belt represents a deeper understanding of Jiu-Jitsu and of myself.
You recently moved from Brazil to the U.S. to join the GB Utah team. How has that transition been for you and your family?
The transition has been wonderful. The team welcomed us with open arms, and we quickly felt at home. Utah is an incredible place, the nature, the people, and the community have made it a perfect environment for our family and for continuing to grow with Gracie Barra.
What are some of the cultural differences you’ve noticed between training and teaching Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil vs. the U.S.?
The biggest difference is definitely the language, but what’s amazing is that Jiu-Jitsu itself is a universal language. It connects people beyond words. Whether in Brazil or in the U.S., the respect, discipline, and camaraderie on the mats are always the same.
What advice would you give to someone who's curious about trying Jiu-Jitsu but feels unsure or intimidated?
Jiu-Jitsu is much more than a martial art. It’s a tool for self-development and a way to build confidence. It’s often called human chess because it challenges your mind as much as your body. You can train hard, learn to handle pressure, and still leave the mat smiling. My advice is simple: take the first step. Once you do, you’ll see that Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about fighting others, it’s about learning to master yourself.
What do you like to do to unwind or have fun when you’re not on the mats?
When I’m not on the mats, I love spending time with my family. One of my favorite things to do is to make a good Brazilian barbecue while listening to some pagode, just like any true Carioca. I also enjoy watching movies, relaxing, and exploring new places with my wife and daughter. Those moments help me recharge and keep my balance, so I can come back to training with even more energy
BJJ Competition Awards
Black Belt
2025
- Denver open
1st place – Master – Heavyweight
1st place – Master – Absolute
- North America IBJJ
3rd place – Master – Medium heavy
2024
- Rio Summer International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024
1st place – Master – Heavyweight
- Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship
Participation
2023
- World Championship NoGi
1st place - Adult – Medium heavy
2nd place – Adult – Absolute
2019
- ADCC trials
Participation
- Brazilian Championship
2nd place – Adult –Light
- NoGi Brazilian Championship
3rd place – Adult – Medium
- Porto Alegre International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2019
3rd place – Adult – Medium
- Copa Upper
Superfight Champion
- Copa Serrana
1st place – Adult – Absolute
2018
- Rio International Open
3rd place – Adult – Light
- Belo Horizonte spring International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2018
3rd place – Adult – Medium
- Atlanta Summer International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship
3rd place – Adult – Light
- Brazilian Championship
Participation – Adult – Light
- World Championship (Long Beach – CA)
Participation – Adult – Light
- Orlando International Open
2nd place – Adult – Medium
- Kimura cup
1st place – Adult – Medium heavy
1st place – Adult – Absolute
- Florida State Championship (FFBJJ)
1st place – Adult – Medium heavy
1st place – Adult – Absolute
2017
- UAEJJF - National Cup (Manaus)
Semi-finalist – Adult – Light
- UAEJJF - Grand slam Rio de Janeiro
Participation – Adult – Light
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Brazilian Championship
3rd place – Adult – Light
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Curitiba International Open
1st place – Adult – Light
- CBJJ/IBJJF - World Championship (Long Beach – CA)
Participation – Adult – Light
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Rio International Open
1st place – Adult – Light
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Brazilian team Championship
1st place – Adult – Light
- ADCC SP
Participation
- ADCC RJ
Participation
2016
- FJJDRIO - Arnold's Classic 2016 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
1st place – Adult – Middle
- CBJJ/IBJJF - European 2016 (Lisbon)
Participation – Adult – Middle
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Rio Open Summer 2016
3rd place – Adult – Medium
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Brazilian Championship 2016
Participation – Adult – Middle
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Curitiba Open 2016
2nd place – Adult – Medium
- CBJJO - Brazilian Championship 2016
1st place – Adult – Light Heavyweight
- UAEJJF - International Petrópolis Pro
2nd place – Adult – Light
1st place – Adult – Absolute
2015
- IBJJF - Floripa International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015
2nd place – Adult – Light
- UAEJJF - Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro
Semi-finalist – Adult – Light
- UAEJJF - Rio Cup 2016
Adult champion – black belt – Medium
- ADCC
Participation
- World cup / World Cup NoGi
3rd place – Adult –Light weight (kimono)
2nd place – Adult – Light (No-Gi)
- World Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling (CBJJP)
1st place – Adult – Medium
- DOJJO – Check 9
1st place – Adult – Light
- Top Strike 3 – NoGi
1st place – Adult – Middle
Brown Belt
2015
- CBJJ/IBJJF - European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015
3rd place – Adult – Light
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Rio Open Fall
2nd place – Adult –Light
- UAEJJF - Trial Natal Abu Dhabi pro 2015
3rd place – Adult – Light
3rd place – Adult – Absolute light weight
- UAEJJF - Trial SP Abu Dhabi pro 2015
Participation
2014
- IBJJF/CBJJ - Rio Open
Participation
- IBJJF/CBJJ - Brazilian No Gi
3rd place – Adult – Light
- FJJDRIO - Qualifier
1st place – Adult – Light
- FJJDRIO - Rio Cup
1st place – Adult – Light
2nd place – Adult – Absolute
- Copa Cyclone
1st place – Adult – Light
2nd place – Adult – Absolute
- Guerra Galáctica
1st place – Adult – Light
- Trial SP Abu Dhabi Pro 2014
Participation
2013
- CBJJO - World Cup
1st place – Adult – Light
- CBJJO - South American Championship
1st place – Adult – Light
- CBJJO - Pan-american
2nd place – Adult – Light
- IBJJF/CBJJ - European Championship
2nd place – Adult – Light
- IBJJF/CBJJ - Panamerican Championship
Participation
- IBJJF/CBJJ - Las Vegas Open
Participation
- IBJJF/CBJJ - World Championship
Participation
Purple Belt
2013
- Brazilian cup Búzios
1st place – Adult – Light
- Trial Rio 2012 Abu Dhabi pro 2013
Participation
- Gracie Humaitá USA Indoor Championship
1st place – Adult – Light
1st place – Adult – Light
2012
- UAEJJF - Trial Rio 2012 Abu Dhabi pro 2012
1st place – Adult – Category − 74 kg
3rd place – Adult – Absolute
- UAEJJF - Trial Natal 2012 Abu Dhabi pro 2012
1st place – Adult – Category − 74 kg
3rd place – Adult – Absolute
- IBJJF/CBJJ - European 2012 – Lisbon
Participation
- IBJJF/CBJJ - European Team 2012 – Lisbon
1st place – Adult – Light
- IBJJF/CBJJ - Mundial 2012 – Long Beach, CA
Participation
- CBJJO - World cup
1st place – Adult – Light
- CBJJO - State Championship
1st place – Adult – Light
- State Championship – FJJRIO
1st place – Adult – Light
- Gonçalense Championship
1st place – Adult – Light
- Rio Cup Championship – FJJDRIO
1st place – Adult – Light
- Arizona State Championship
1st place – Adult – Medium
1st place – Adult – Absolute
Blue Belt
2011
- UAEJJF - Word trial Rio 2011
3rd place – Adult – −74 kg
3rd place – Adult – Absolute
- UAEJJF - Word trial Gramado 2011
2nd place – Adult – −74 kg
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Brazilian Championship
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
- CBJJ/IBJJF - World Championship I
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
1st place – Youth – Absolute
- RioInternational Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
2nd place – Youth – Absolute
- 2nd São Gonçalo Open
1st place – Adult – Light
- LERJJI - 10th Rio de Janeiro State Cup of Jiu-Jitsu
3rd place – Adult – Light weight
- LERJJI - 12th Cup of The House of Jiu-Jitsu
1st place – Adult – Light
- LERJJI - 7th Cutting Jiu-Jitsu Jet Power
1st place – Adult – Light
1st place – Adult – Absolute
- FJJRIO - 1st Summer Open Championship 2011
1st place – Adult – Light
- FJJRIO - State Championship 2011
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
1st place – Youth – Absolute
- FJJDRIO - 2nd cup grande mestre João Alberto Barreto
1st place – Adult – Light
- FJJDRIO - State 2011
1st place – Adult – Light
- FJJDRIO - Rio Cup 2011
1st place – Adult – Light
- FJJDRIO - Rio Trophy 2011
1st place – Adult – Light
2010
- 1st stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - IERJJI
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
1st place – Youth – absolute
- 6th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - IERJJI
1st place – Adult – Light
- FJJDRIO - 2nd Hélio Gracie Grand Mestre Cup
1st place – Youth – blue belt – Heavyweight
1st place – Youth – Absolute
- FJJDRIO - 2nd stage of State ranking 2010 – State Championship
1st place – Youth – Heavy
- FJJDRIO - 2nd Copa Carlson Gracie
2nd place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
- FJJDRIO - State Ryan Gracie No-Gi
2nd place – Youth – Heavy – 81 kg
- FJJDRIO - 2nd Conde Coma Cup
- 1st place – Youth – Heavyweight
FJJDRIO - 11th Copa Rolls Gracie
1st place – Youth – Heavyweight
- FJJDRIO - 1st Cup Grande Mestre João Alberto Barreto
1st place – Youth – Heavyweight
- FJJDRIO - State Championship
1st place – Youth – Heavyweight
- FJJDRIO - Rio 2010 sports Jiu-Jitsu cup
1st place – Youth – Heavyweight
- FJJDRIO - 4th Stage of State ranking 2010 – Rio 2010 sports Jiu-Jitsu trophy
1st place – Youth – Heavyweight
- Abu Dhabi pro selection 2010 – Northern Region
3rd place – Adult
- CBJJ/IBJJF - Brazilian Championship
1st place – Youth – Heavyweight
- CBJJ/IBJJF - World Jiu-Jitsu Championship – Long Beach, CA
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
- CBJJ/IBJJF - RioInternational Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship
2nd place – Youth – Absolute
- World cup – Niterói, RJ
1st place – Youth – Medium
- 2nd copa kdf de Jiu-Jitsu – Niterói, RJ
1st place – Youth – Medium
1st place – Youth – Absolute
2009
- 1st stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - IERJJI
1st place – Youth – Medium
1st place – Youth – Absolute
- 2nd stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - IERJJI
2nd place – Youth – Medium
- 4th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - IERJJI
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
- 5th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - IERJJI
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
1st place – Youth – Absolute
- 1st stage of the Mineirinho Circuit Ranking (FJJD)
2nd place – Youth – Light
- State Championship 2009
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
- 3rd stage of the Mineirinho Circuit Ranking (FJJD)
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
- 4th stage of the Mineirinho Circuit Ranking (FJJD)
1st place – Youth – Light Heavyweight
- FCJJE State Championship
2nd place – Youth – Light
- 1st stage of State ranking 2009 (FJJRIO)
1st stage grand master Hélio Gracie
2nd place – Youth – Medium
2nd place – Youth – Absolute
- FJJRIO – State Championship 2009
1st place – Youth – Medium
2nd place – Youth – Absolute
- 2nd stage of State ranking 2009 (FJJRIO)
2nd place – Youth – Medium
3rd place – Youth – Absolute
- 3rd stage of State ranking 2009 (FJJRIO)
2nd place – Youth – Medium
- I Mercosul de Jiu-Jitsu (CBJJE), Buenos Aires
1st place – Youth – Light
2008
- Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro of Olímpico Jiu-Jitsu – FJJO
1st place – Medium
- Open Cabo Frio
1st place – Light Heavyweight
Yellow Belt
2008
- 1st stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - LERJJI
1st place – Heavyweight
- 2nd stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - LERJJI
2nd place – Heavyweight
- 3rd stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - LERJJI
1st place – Heavy
- 4th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - LERJJI
1st place – Heavyweight
- 5th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - IERJJI
1st place – super Heavy
- 6th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - IERJJI
1st place – Heavyweight
- 2nd stage of the Gonçalense deporto League ranking – LGD
1st place – Heavy
- 3rd stage of the Gonçalense deporto League ranking – LGD
1st place – Super Heavy
- 4th stage of the Gonçalense deporto League ranking – LGD
1st place – Super Heavy
- FJJRIO - State Championship
1st place – Heavy
- 2nd stage of FJJRIO ranking
1st place – Heavyweight
- 3rd stage of FJJRIO ranking
1st place – Heavyweight
- 4th stage of the FJJRIO copa Rolls Gracie ranking
1st place – Light Heavyweight
- FJJERIO - State Championship (2nd stage of the Mineirinho Circuit)
1st place – Light Heavyweight
- 1st Jiu-Jitsu Pro-Fight Cup (3rd stage of the Mineirinho Circuit)
1st place – Light Heavyweight
- Rio Trofeu (4th stage of the Mineirinho Circuit)
1st place – Light Heavyweight
- CBJJE - Brazilian Championship
1st place – Light Heavyweight
- CBJJE - Jiu-jitsu arena Búzios
1st place – Heavyweight
- CBJJE - KDF Kimono Cup – Niterói
1st place – super Heavy
- CBJJE - Copa kids – Shopping São Gonçalo – São Gonçalo
1st place – Super Heavy
2007
- 6th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - LERJJI
2nd place – Heavyweight
White Belt
2007
- 4th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - LERJJI
1st place – Heavyweight
- 5th stage of the Rio de Janeiro State League Ranking - LERJJI
3rd place – Heavyweight
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Jiu-Jitsu in Utah
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BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU CLASSES NEAR YOU
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At Gracie Barra West Jordan, both your safety and progress matter, and it all starts with our Jiu-Jitsu instructors.
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And that’s just the start:
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Whether you’re starting fresh or sharpening your martial art game, you’ll be guided by professionals who are qualified, trustworthy, and dedicated to your journey.
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Salt Lake City
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66 East 3750 South Salt Lake City,
UT 84115 - 801.449.0162
- info@gbslc.com
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West Jordan
-
8018 Welby Park Dr #2 West Jordan,
UT 84088 - 385.220.5284
- info@gbwestjordan.com
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Riverton
-
2936 W 12600 S Ste 1&2, Riverton,
UT 84065 - 801.436.7373
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