Aniel Bonifacio

Aniel Bonifacio Candido, commonly known simply as Aniel Bonifacio, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Rodrigo Carvalho, being also one of the main rooster-weight grappling competitors of his generation. Bonifacio made a name for himself after his wins in important International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) tournaments such as the Brazilian National and South American Championship.

Aniel Bonifacio Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Aniel Bonifacio Candido

Nickname: N/A

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlson Gracie. > Fernando “Pinduka” > Leonardo Castello Branco > Paulo Rezende > Rodrigo Carvalho > Aniel Bonifacio

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals Championship (2017)
• 1st Place IBJJF South American Championship (2018)
• 1st Place IBJJF Belo Horizonte Spring Open (2018)
• 1st Place IBJJF Belo Horizonte Winter Open (2017)
• 1st Place IBJJF Belo Horizonte Summer Open (2017)
• 3rd Place IBJJF South American Championship (2017)
• 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals No-Gi (2018)
• 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2019)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2016 brown)
• 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals 3rd Place (2015 purple)
• 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals No-Gi (2015 purple)
• 3rd Place IBJJF South American Championship (2014 purple, 2015/2016 brown)
• 3rd Place UAEJJF Grand Slam RJ No-Gi (2017)

Favorite Position/Technique: Straight ankle lock

Weight Division: Peso Galo (57.5Kg / 127.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Rodrigo Carvalho JJ

Aniel Bonifacio Biography

Aniel Bonifacio was born April 11, 1996, in Varginha, a municipality in southwest Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

Not particularly into sporting activities as a child, Aniel became aware of jiu-jitsu as a 14-year-old through a social project designed to occupy the children of his neighborhood. Bonifacio’s very first coach there was a local black belt by the name of Rodrigo Carvalho, a former student of the illustrious Paulo Rezende, who was the resident instructor at this social project.

Under Carvalho’s guidance, young Aniel quickly became one of the region’s top BJJ athletes, deciding to become a professional athlete as a purple belt. His hard work competing in Brazil’s national circuit led to his black belt promotion on January 2017, a promotion led by Aniel’s coach Rodrigo Carvalho.

Cover photo by “Focados no Tatame” – IG: @focadosnotatame

Aniel Bonifacio vs Wellington Silva