Tayane Porfirio is the black belt sensation poised to take over the world. 

She got her black belt midway through 2016, and since then she's won a number of important tournaments including double gold at the IBJJF 2017 European Championships, double gold at the South American championships, double gold at the Rio BJJ Pro, and double gold at the Curitiba Winter Open. 

How does she feel about her first year as a black belt? 

It's the start of a new phase. To be honest, the penny still hasn't dropped. It's an incredible feeling to tie the black belt around your waist.

In a short time, Tayane has marked herself out as one of the top women in the world. She's already beaten a number of top black belts, including big names such as world champions Beatriz Mesquita and Mackenzie Dern. 

Porfirio's breakthrough performance was when she won double gold at the 2016 Abu Dhabi World Pro, a tournament she won while still a brown belt. She gained worldwide recognition as a result.


Tayane Porfirio in the final of the absolute division at the Abu Dhabi 2016 World Pro. Photo: William Burkhardt 

But the UAEJJF changed the weight divisions, and she's above the cutoff limit for female athletes, making it uncertain if she can compete this year. 

"I'm really upset," Porfirio said. "Last year I was champion weight and absolute and won the prize for best in the ranking. Whatever happens, I'm qualified for the next one. I'll try to make weight, and if I don't then its experience, right?" 

Her focus is now on the IBJJF tournament circuit, and her main goal is -- of  course -- to become a black belt world champion. 

"Everybody wants to become world champion," she said. "If you're champion, more doors will open for you in terms of sponsorships and seminars. And I want my photo on the wall of the gym!" 

With a little over six months as a black belt, Porfirio is ready to take over the world. She's confident, but humble about her chances. 

"I think I have a 50-50 chance of becoming champion," she says. "Because 50 percent is them, and 50 percent is me. I need to go after that other 50 percent." 

I have a lot of things to learn, I have a lot of maturing to do as a black belt. If it's not this year, it'll be the year after. But I think if I can focus, I can do it.

Watch 25+ of Tayane Porfirio's matches in the FloGrappling archives

See Tayane Porfirio show off her incredible flexibility