Josue Braga

Josué Braga Lira is a jiu-jitsu black belt under Daniel Affini and Laércio Sarmento who started his career competing in his native Manaus, Brazil, one of the most famous circuits in the sport of BJJ, exploding into the international scene as a brown belt, particularly in 2025 while representing Team Fratres, when he conquered the 3 main tournaments of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), the World, Pan American, & European Championships.

Josué Braga Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Josué Braga Lira

Nickname: n/a

Lineage 1: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Waldomiro Perez > Roberto Godoi > Fepa Lopes > Daniel Affini > Josue Braga

Lineage 2:  Carlos Gracie > Reyson Gracie > Nonato Machado > Cosmo Dias > Laércio Sarmento > Josue Braga

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place IBJJF South American Championship NOGI (2025)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2025 brown)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2025 brown)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Championship (2025 brown)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2021 blue, 2022 purple, 2024 brown)
• 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2025 brown)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2024 brown)
• 3rd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2023 brown)
• 3rd Place AJP Grand Slam, RJN (2023 brown)

Main Achievements (Juvenile):

• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2019)

Favorite Position/Technique: Open Guard

Weight Division: Peso Galo (57.60kg / 127.00 lbs)

Team/Association: White House, SV Team

Josue Braga Biography

Josue Braga was born in February 2003 in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, where he grew up.

Grappling appeared in Josue’s life when he was 10, under the influence of his older brother, who started jiu-jitsu before him. Braga’s tuition began at the gym of Laércio Sarmento, SV Team, a squad that stood behind Josue throughout all belts, from white to black.

As an orange belt, Josue earned his first Brazilian National title in the kids division, proving he had the talent to reach the top of the sport. With this in mind, Braga started dedicating all his spare time to BJJ.

As a brown belt, Josue Braga started being noticed by the bigger teams of the sport. He was eventually hired by Fratres, a São Paulo-based squad with whom Braga spent much of his brown belt career, earning several of the sport’s top amateur titles.

After winning his brown belt world title with the IBJJF on May 31, 2025, Josue Braga was promoted to black belt by the Fratres team leader, Daniel Affini. He eventually left the team near the end of that same year, joining White House in Manaus. Although he represented several squads on the international circuit, Braga never broke his bond with coach Laércio, keeping him as his mentor.