At 21 years of age, Isaque Bahiense has achieved his standout moment in jiu-jitsu competition. On February 18. in Sao Paulo, the young Alliance black belt (promoted only in December) won six fights to become the Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix champion. 

The mission to climb to the top of the podium was not easy. 

In the semifinals he defeated Diego Borges 2-0. In the final and up against the dangerous guard player Espen Mathiesen of Norway, he also won 2-0.

This came after four earlier victories in the group stage: Delson 'Pe de Cumbo', Wellington 'Alemao' and Caio Almeida by points, and Celso Vinicius via guillotine choke in only 26 seconds. 

Isaque described for us the final and what he need to do to beat the Norwegian brown belt. 

"Espen does the berimbolo very well and tried to go for it as much as possible. Any wrong move, he would end up on my back!" he laughs. 

I managed to have a good campaign in the Grand Prix, I fought with athletes I admire a lot. I was very well trained and I'm here to stay.