Felipe Souza won the IBJJF Los Angeles Open championship.
Felipe Souza is experiencing one of the most consistent phases of his black belt career. A regular presence on IBJJF podiums, the Master 3 athlete has been closely following not only his own development, but also the rapid evolution of the division as a whole.
Felipe emphasizes that this stage of his career is defined by maturity and a deeper understanding of his game.
“I see this phase of my career with a lot of maturity and purpose. Black belt is a constant process of evolution, and competing in Master 3 challenges me to keep improving technically, physically, and mentally. Today I understand my body, my game, and my strategies much better, and that allows me to compete at a high level with more awareness,” he said.
The growth of the master division has been one of the most noticeable trends in modern Jiu-Jitsu. For Felipe, the shift goes beyond numbers, it’s about mindset.
“I believe the biggest factor is the change in mentality. Today, master athletes prepare with the same level of professionalism as adult competitors. Many athletes stay active for longer, maintaining high performance and bringing a huge technical background. That has raised the level of the division a lot,” he explained.
Even as the years go by, Felipe remains highly competitive, something he credits to his ability to adapt and stay consistent.
“The key is adaptation. You can’t train the same way you used to. You need to be smart with preparation, balance training, recovery, and personal life. Consistency is what keeps an athlete relevant,” he noted.
Another defining aspect of his journey is competing alongside his brother, Diogo Souza. The two often meet in finals and choose to close out their divisions — a decision that carries meaning beyond competition.
“It’s something very special. We share training, challenges, victories, and lessons. Closing out divisions with him reflects a journey we built together. It strengthens my motivation and the pride of representing our family in the sport,” he said.
Looking ahead, Felipe also commented on the recent announcement of a BJJ Stars Grand Prix dedicated to master athletes, a move seen as a major step toward greater recognition.
“I see it as an extremely important and necessary initiative. Master athletes deserve this space because they still deliver a very high technical level. A GP like this shows that longevity has value in the sport and helps strengthen the division even more,” he concluded.
With consistent results and a clear mindset, Felipe stands out as part of a generation proving that longevity and high performance can go hand in hand in modern Jiu-Jitsu.
