You could be mistaken for thinking that Victor Estima had retired from competition, given that he symbolically placed his belt down on the mats following a loss to Marcos Tinoco at Worlds just last month. But there is a reason for that, and it didn’t mean he’d be stepping away from the mats.

Written by Tom Bell

“Placing the belt down meant a lot to me, but I want to clarify that perhaps people are thinking I have retired but I haven’t.” The 31-year-old explained.

“This is what it meant: my responsibilities had started to push me away from the mats. At the Worlds, I was so overwhelmed with responsibilities that it made me think ‘This is it, Victor. It’s time for the high expectations to go.’

“It was a statement to myself. I have to tell you; it was like the weight of a piano coming off my shoulders. I had my phone in my gi when I stepped on the mats, brother. My mind wasn’t there.” 

Not known to shy away from a challenge, Victor Estima is one of the 10 athletes who will compete in Argentina this weekend at the Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix. In his group: Leandro Lo, Dillon Danis, brown belt sensation Nicolas Meregali, and GF Team’s Max Gimenis. 



Estima just pulled off a double gold haul at the recent IBJJF British Nationals (where he beat Jackson Sousa in the openweight final), and the Gracie Barra black belt hopes the momentum will continue into the upcoming Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix, where he feels as hungry, if not hungrier, than ever.

The double gold in the UK awakened something inside of Estima. “I had something I haven’t had in a long time.”

“[Leaving the belt on the mat] meant that I had dropped all the expectations, all the pressures and that I now need to have fun. It’s the sign of a new time for me and competing with a new mentality and a new perspective and I believe it will bring a new Victor to competition.” 



Leandro Lo awaits, a man that Estima has failed to beat in four attempts, but knowing he will face the caliber of the man who has gone two years undefeated at Copa Podio keeps a fire burning in the competitive belly of the Recife-born black belt. 

“I’m coming; I’m preparing for war. They’re the main competitors but I know my potential and I know it can go my way, but the pressure is on those guys. 

“The competition is so fierce; you even have the likes of Meregali coming along. I really am excited, man. It will be great to fight Leandro and Claudio Calasans again – those guys keep me alive, those guys keep me hungry.”