Bianca Basílio

Bianca Barbosa Basílio (born 2 February 1996) also known as Bia Basílio is a submission grappler, mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) black belt athlete.

A multiple time world champion in coloured belts, Basílio is a black belt two-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion, two-time Pan American Champion, Brazilian National Champion, ADCC Submission Fighting World Champion and a three-time Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion.

Early life

Bianca Barbosa Basílio was born on 2 February 1996 in Franca, Brazil, when she was a young age her family moved and settled in Itaquera.

Career

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

After practicing gymnastic for a few years she discovered Jiu-Jitsu. From the age of 12 she started training with Diogo Almeida, the co-founder of Almeida JJ, at a social project in the back of his house. After receiving her orange belt brother Caio Almeida took over her training. At 15 she won her first world title in the blue belt junior division. In 2016, as a brown belt, Basílio won the Brazil Nationals, the Pan-American Championship and the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, resulting in her promotion to black belt in December of the same year by her teachers, Caio and Diego Almeida. In June 2022 Basílio became the 2022 World Jiu-Jitsu Champion after defeating Amanda Canuto via advantages (0-0, 3-0 advantages).

2023 onwards

Basilio was booked to compete against Tammi Musumeci in a strawweight submission grappling match at ONE Fight Night 8 on March 24, 2023. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Basilio then competed in the Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu on May 7, 2023 and won gold in the featherweight division.

Basilio competed in the IBJJF World Championship 2023 on June 3 and 4, 2023 and won a gold medal in the featherweight division.

Basilio was scheduled to challenge Anna Rodrigues for the featherweight title at BJJ Stars 12 on April 27, 2024. However, she withdrew shortly before the event and was replaced by Ana Schmitt.

Basilio faced Nanami Ichikawa in a 132-pound submission grappling match on May 3, 2024, at ONE Fight Night 22. She won the match by submission in 35 seconds.

Basilio won gold medals in the no gi middleweight and absolute divisions at the IBJJF Sao Paulo Open 2024 on July 21, 2024.

Basilio was invited to compete in the under 55 kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championship. She defeated Brenda Larissa and Anna Rodrigues by decision before being submitted by Adele Fornarino in the final and winning a silver medal. She returned in the women's absolute division and lost to Rafaela Guedes on points in the opening round.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

In 2022, Basílio joined amateur mixed martial arts and joined Team Bahrain at the IMMAF Super Cup representing the Kingdom of Bahrain. She made her MMA debut in the quarterfinals after defeating Tajikistan's Shohona Ghozoeva in the opening round via armbar. Team Bahrain ended up MMA Super Cup champions after defeating team Ireland in the final.

Basilio announced at the beginning of 2023 that she was intending to make her professional MMA debut at some point that year.