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Israel Sousa Almeida

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Israel de Sousa Almeida, commonly known as Israel Sousa is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Júlio César Pereira, who worked extensively with Elinor Batista (Israel’s father) and is a representative of the GF Team Academy in the sport’s international circuit. Israel gained notoriety as one of the sport’s hottest prospects in the colored belt divisions of BJJ after his incredible performances at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World and Pan Championships, in which he conquered gold medals.

Israel Sousa Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Israel de Sousa Almeida

Nickname: “Rael” which is short for Israel.

Lineage:  Luis França > Oswaldo Fadda > Monir Salomão > Júlio César > Israel Sousa

Main Achievements:

  • 1st Place AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro (2021)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Long Beach Open (2019)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Houston Fall Open (2019)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF Las Vegas Summer Open (2019)
  • 2nd Place AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro (2021+)
  • 2nd Place AJP Grand Slam, LA (2019)
  • 2nd Place AJP Grand Slam, AD (2020)
  • 3rd Place AJP Grand Slam, MSK (2019)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

  • 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2017 blue, 2019 brown)
  • 1st Place IBJJF World Championship Juvenile (2015)
  • 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2016 / 2017 blue, 2019 brown)
  • 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2017 blue)
  • 1st Place AJP Grand Slam, LA (2018 brown)
  • 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2018 purple)

+ The AJP federation ran two Abu Dhabi World Pro events in 2021, one in April and another in November, the “+” sign represents the 2nd event, in November.

Favorite Position/Technique: Well Rounded Guard

Weight Division: Peso Pena (70,00 kg / 154.5 lbs)

Team/Association: GF Team

Israel Sousa Biography

Israel de Sousa Almeida was born on April 25, 1998, in Fortaleza, the capital of the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará.

With Israel’s father (Elinor Batista) and older brother being big jiu-jitsu enthusiasts and practitioners, it did not come as a surprise when de Sousa asked to start training at the age of 5. The first year Israel’s training was experienced as just another physical activity for him to remain occupied, but after one year passed Almeida’s father decided to sign him up for a competition. A super-fight event that took place in Elinor’s own gym.

Almeida won his super-fight and decided he wanted to compete more often. Unfortunately, he had 4 first-round losses in his following tournaments, which cooled off his training impetus. It would take him over 1 year until he returned to competition and became victorious once again.

As a 13-year-old Israel decided to add judo to his training schedule in trying to improve the throwing aspect of his jiu-jitsu game. Training under Sensei Alex Sampaio, de Sousa competed in 4 judo tournaments at the time, winning 3 of those and losing 1. His loss came via a broken arm while posting to defend a takedown, an injury that set him back substantially, training-wise. Although he re-hashed his judo training at a later stage, he opted to refrain from competing under this ruleset to prevent any injuries that might hinder his career goals in jiu-jitsu.

In 2013 his brother and a teammate went to Rio de Janeiro and trained at GF Team’s headquarters, then establishing a bond with the famous academy. Later that year a few of GFT’s top athletes and coach Julio César came to Fortaleza to compete, further cementing the bond between the two gyms.

As a blue belt, Israel de Sousa started traveling more to compete, making his first trip to the famous Cachanga – GFTs fighter-house in Rio de Janeiro. The experience opened Almeida’s mind and led him to fully embrace the BJJ competitor lifestyle, with plenty of competitions and trips to Rio de Janeiro, and even Ohio (US) to train with the team.

Once Master Julio Cesar decided to move to California, he invited the young Israel Almeida (a purple belt at the time) to come and train full-time with him in Orange County. The young Fortaleza native accepted the offer, being promoted to brown belt on American soil. Unfortunately, as he had been a purple belt for less than 18 months, he could not compete for most of 2018 in the brown belt division.

After the tremendous year of 2019 where Israel de Sousa conquered IBJJF World and Pan championships with flawless performances, Israel was promoted to black belt, in June 2019 by coach Julio César.

Israel Sousa Grappling Record

83 WINS
  • BY POINTS
    36 (43%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    1 (1%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    44 (53%)
  • BY DECISION
    2 (2%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

44 SUBMISSIONS WINS

#214eb8
Choke from back
41
18
#86e620
Armbar
20
9
#5AD3D1
Triangle
11
5
#d1212a
Submission
9
4
#fad11b
Choke
5
2
#f58822
Americana
5
2
#224aba
RNC
2
1
#ff9124
Bow and arrow
2
1
#bf1f6c
Wristlock
2
1
#22c9a5
Armlock
2
1
44
(100%) SUBMISSIONS
22 LOSSES
  • BY POINTS
    15 (68%)
  • BY ADVANTAGES
    1 (5%)
  • BY SUBMISSION
    2 (9%)
  • BY DECISION
    4 (18%)
  • BY PENALTIES
    0 (0%)
  • BY DQ
    0 (0%)

2 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES

#214eb8
Straight ankle lock
50
1
#86e620
Shoulder lock
50
1
2
(100%) SUBMISSIONS

Israel Sousa Fight History

ID Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
20779Diego OliveiraDiego OliveiraLReferee DecisionGrand Slam MSK69KGSF2019
21425Richar NogueiraRichar NogueiraLPts: 8x6Las Vegas Open70KGF2019
21666Diego OliveiraDiego OliveiraLPts: 4x2Grand Slam LA69KGF2019
22971Gabriel SousaGabriel SousaLPointsGrand Slam AD69KGF2020
23085Alex SodreAlex SodreLReferee DecisionEuropean Open70KG4F2020
24693Gabriel FigueiroGabriel FigueiroLPts: 2x1Grand Slam RJ69KGF2020
25513Leo SaggioroLeo SaggioroLPts: 3x2Grand Slam AD69KGF2021
27229Brian MahechaBrian MahechaLPts: 5x4Grand Slam MIA69KG4F2021
29197Pablo LavaselliPablo LavaselliLPts: 2x0World Pro69KGF2021
31111Lucas ProtasioLucas ProtasioLPts: 4x4Grand Slam LDN77KG4F2022
31632Isaac DoederleinIsaac DoederleinLPts: 4x2Pan American70KGR22022
32896Isaac DoederleinIsaac DoederleinLStraight ankle lockWorld Champ.70KG8F2022
33407Michael LieraMichael LieraLPts: 6x4American Nat.76KG4F2022
33766Elijah DorseyElijah DorseyLReferee DecisionOrlando SMO76KGF2022
33793Italo MouraItalo MouraLPointsOrlando SMOABS8F2022
35804Matheus GabrielMatheus GabrielLPts: 4x2BJJ Stars76KGSF2022
37236Fabricio AndreyFabricio AndreyLPts: 2x0European Open70KG4F2023
38444Marcio AndreMarcio AndreLPts: 2x2, AdvPan American70KG4F2023
40308Daniel SathlerDaniel SathlerLReferee DecisionWorld Champ.70KGR12023
44764D. RazmadzeLPts: 6x5World Pro69KGR12023
46709Joao BezerraLPts: 4x2AJP BRA Nat.77KGF2024
47049Samuel NagaiSamuel NagaiLShoulder lockADXC370KGSPF2024
20776A. MogomadovWPts: 6x0Grand Slam MSK69KG4F2019
20781Victor MatosWPts: 2x0Grand Slam MSK69KGRPC2019
20782A. MogomadovWPts: 6x0Grand Slam MSK69KG3RD2019
21416N/AWChokeLas Vegas Open70KGR12019
21419Bruno BarbosaBruno BarbosaWChoke from backLas Vegas Open70KG4F2019
21424Joao MendesJoao MendesWReferee DecisionLas Vegas Open70KGSF2019
21659Jonathan BurenWPts: 15x0Grand Slam LA69KGR12019
21661Lee TingWPts: 6x2Grand Slam LA69KG4F2019
21664Thiago MacedoThiago MacedoWPts: 0x0, AdvGrand Slam LA69KGSF2019
22208Giovanni CarvalhoWArmbarHouston FO70KGSF2019
22209Thiago MacedoThiago MacedoWPts: 2x0Houston FO70KGF2019
22386Cameron GravesWArmbarLong Beach Open70KGSF2019
22387Brandon WalenskyBrandon WalenskyWArmbarLong Beach Open70KGF2019
22965Ali MonfaradiAli MonfaradiWPts: 7x6Grand Slam AD69KGR12020
22967Ariel TabakAriel TabakWPointsGrand Slam AD69KG4F2020
22970Thiago MacedoThiago MacedoWPts: 5x2Grand Slam AD69KGSF2020
23074Lee RenautWPts: 8x2European Open70KGR12020
24676Murilo AmaralMurilo AmaralWPts: 4x2Grand Slam RJ69KGR12020
24685Luiz PauloLuiz PauloWPts: 3x0Grand Slam RJ69KG8F2020
24690Davi OliveiraWWristlockGrand Slam RJ69KG4F2020
24692Leo SaggioroLeo SaggioroWPts: 4x3Grand Slam RJ69KGSF2020
25054Joao GuilhermeWChoke from backGuarapari Pro69KG4F2021
25056Guilherme RibeiroWArmbarGuarapari Pro69KGSF2021
25109Cristian PolnovWPts: 9x0Brazil Nat. Pro69KGSF2021
25110Alex SodreAlex SodreWPts: 5x2Brazil Nat. Pro69KGF2021
25510Diogo FreitasWChoke from backGrand Slam AD69KG4F2021
25512Gabriel SousaGabriel SousaWPts: 12x1Grand Slam AD69KGSF2021
25607Diogo FreitasWPts: 7x3WP BR Qualifier69KGRR2021
25611Marcio AndreMarcio AndreWPts: 3x1WP BR Qualifier69KGF2021
25651Yaroslav BlazhkoWPts: 6x2World Pro69KGR12021
25654Juan CalderonWPts: 13x1World Pro69KG4F2021
25657Gabriel SousaGabriel SousaWAmericanaWorld Pro69KGSF2021
25659Ali MonfaradiAli MonfaradiWPts: 6x1World Pro69KGF2021
26774Lucas GrippWPts: 17x0Rio Winter Open70KG4F2021
26778Ricardo PrimoWArmbarRio Winter Open70KGSF2021
27235Christian MueckayWChoke from backGrand Slam MIA69KGRPC2021
27237Lucas PinheiroLucas PinheiroWArmbarGrand Slam MIA69KGRPC2021
27238Brian MahechaBrian MahechaWArmbarGrand Slam MIA69KG3RD2021
29128Thiago MacedoThiago MacedoWPts: 2x0BRA Qualifiers69KG4F2021
29131Diego MedeirosWChoke from backBRA Qualifiers69KGSF2021
29132Leo SaggioroLeo SaggioroWPts: 5x2BRA Qualifiers69KGF2021
29188Alejandro CarrerasWChoke from backWorld Pro69KGR12021
29193Isa KarasanovWTriangleWorld Pro69KG4F2021
29196Fabricio AndreyFabricio AndreyWPts: 2x0World Pro69KGSF2021
29945Robson SilvaWChokeGuarapari Pro77KG4F2022
29947Alan BarcelosWChoke from backGuarapari Pro77KGSF2022
29948Marlus SalgadoWChoke from backGuarapari Pro77KGF2022
30715Wallisson SouzaWPts: 4x2Gramado Pro77KGSF2022
30716Marlus SalgadoWPts: 4x0Gramado Pro77KGF2022
31107Andre AlmeidaWChoke from backGrand Slam LDN77KGR12022
31623Gustavo GonzalezWTrianglePan American70KGR12022
31797Luiz RodriguesWSubmissionPorto Pro77KGSF2022
31798Omar De SousaWPts: 2x0Porto Pro77KGF2022
32889Nick SallesNick SallesWPts: 10x8World Champ.70KGR12022
33403Nian BoothWArmbarAmerican Nat.76KGR12022
33764Chris MueckayWN/AOrlando SMO76KGSF2022
34389Pedro FernandesWPointsN. Haven Open76KGSF2022
34391Daniel MairaDaniel MairaWArmlockN. Haven Open76KGF2022
34609Thiago MacedoThiago MacedoWChoke from backGrand Slam MIA69KG4F2022
34610Pablo LavaselliPablo LavaselliWPts: 2x0Grand Slam MIA69KGSF2022
34612Meyram MaquineMeyram MaquineWReferee DecisionGrand Slam MIA69KGF2022
35801Darlan CasacaWPts: 7x0BJJ Stars76KG4F2022
36182Italo AprigioWArmbarFortaleza Open82KGSF2022
36184Nixon BeloWChoke from backFortaleza Open82KGF2022
36188Joao AleksanderWChoke from backFortaleza OpenABS4F2022
36189Jonas CamposWRNCFortaleza OpenABSSF2022
36190Herico HesleyWTriangleFortaleza OpenABSF2022
37163Lucas SilvaWSubmissionNorth East BRA77KG4F2023
37165Valerio CunhaWPts: 17x1North East BRA77KGSF2023
37167Higor LimaHigor LimaWPts: 15x0North East BRA77KGF2023
37232Michael MehlWChoke from backEuropean Open70KGR12023
38442Samuel NagaiSamuel NagaiWChoke from backPan American70KG8F2023
41077Alexis StangenWChoke from backFortaleza Open76KG4F2023
41082Valerio EduardoWAmericanaFortaleza Open76KGSF2023
41083Margus SalgadoWChoke from backFortaleza Open76KGF2023
43003Gabriel CardosoWBow and arrowADGS Miami69KG8F2023
43008Artur OliveiraWTriangleADGS Miami69KG4F2023
43011Ademir BarretoAdemir BarretoWChoke from backADGS Miami69KGSF2023
44647Bruno CabralWChoke from backADWP Qualifier69KG4F2023
44650Higor LimaHigor LimaWTriangleADWP Qualifier69KGSF2023
44652Alex SodreAlex SodreWPts: 3x2ADWP Qualifier69KGF2023
46706Anderson LimaWSubmissionAJP BRA Nat.77KG4F2024
46708Alex MonteWSubmissionAJP BRA Nat.77KGSF2024

Israel 2018 Highlight

 

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