Helton Jose Junior

Helton José Junior is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Cícero Costha and a former member of the famous Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (PSLPB) academy, an institution that developed big names of the sport such as Leandro Lo, Tiago Barros, Paulo and João Miyao as well as Nathiely de Jesus, among many others. Originally from the state of Amazonas, Helton became one of the rising stars of BJJ while competing in São Paulo’s grappling circuit, from there being propelled onto a world stage through his wins in tournaments such as the IBJJF European Open, UAEJJF New York Pro, CBJJ’s Brazilian Nationals among many others.

Helton José Jr Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Helton Jose Mendes da Silva Junior

Nickname: N/A

Linage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Waldomiro Perez > Roberto Godoi > Marco Barbosa > Cicero Costha > Helton Jose Jr.

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place ACBJJ World Championship (2019)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, Abu Dhabi (2018)
• 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals NoGi (2022)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship NoGi (2022*)
• 2nd Place IBJJF European Open (2018)
• 2nd Place IBJJF European Open NoGi (2019)
• 2nd Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, RJ (2018)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2021)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2013 purple)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2016 brown)
• 1st Place IBJJF South American Championship (2015 brown, 2014 purple)
• 2nd Place IBJJF European Open (2016* brown)
• 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2016 brown, 2013* purple, 2012* blue)
• 2nd Place IBJJF South American Championship (2014* purple)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2016 brown)
• 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2012 blue)
• 3rd Place IBJJF South American Championship (2015* brown)

* Absolute
** Absolute and weight

Favorite Position/Technique: Guard Passing

Weight Division: Super Pesado (100,50 kg / 222.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Atos JJ

Helton José Junior Biography

Helton José Junior was born on August 27, 1991, in Manacapuru – a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, inside the Amazon Jungle.

Helton began his jiu-jitsu career in his home town, training at Nilton Nascimento’s academy. A small nonprofit gym, which relied on school grades and community action as currency for its students. Junior was 16 years old when he started there, with his tuition laying on the shoulders of coaches such as Valdir António and Daniel Cristóvão.

Grappling became a very big part of Helton’s life from early on, and by the time he reached his blue belt, Junior decided to leave his home town to try his luck in the state capital Manaus. There he joined the famous ASLE academy, ran by Henrique Machado, where he spent 2 years training and living at Machado’s gym.

After his time at ASLE, Helton continued his search for the best available training, moving to Rio de Janeiro to pursue his dream. He stayed there for 6 months, training at Game Fight with the famous Vinicius Amaral.

During his time in Rio Helton competed regularly in the neighboring states. It is common practice for lower-income competitors on the road, to solicit lodging to academies in the towns they will compete at, this was the case of Helton who requested to stay at Cícero Costha‘s Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem gym (PSLPB) through a friend who was already training with the team. The level of training and the hospitality led Helton to extend his stay until after the tournament and later join the São Paulo based team.

Helton arrived at Cícero Costha as a blue belt and earned all other belts from the leader of PSLPB. Including his black belt, earned on June 15, 2016.

After two years of competing at the highest level, on June 2018 Helton decided to switch teams, then joining the reigning IBJJF World Champion academy Atos Jiu Jitsu. A workgroup led by André Galvão.

Helton Jose Jr vs Adriano Morilo