# Patricia Fontes ("Pati")

> 

## Overview

**Name:** Patricia Fontes

**Nickname:** Pati


## Bio

A ballet dancer for 15 years before ever stepping on the mats, Patricia Fontes found jiu-jitsu at 15 under Fabricio “Bicudo” Medeiros in Niterói and later trained with Ricardo Vieira. She abandoned dance after turning 18 to pursue elite grappling, moving to the United States in 2012 to join Lucas Leite’s academy in La Habra, California. Fontes earned her brown belt in April 2013 and won the 2015 IBJJF World Championship at brown, receiving her black belt from Leite on the podium that same day. She followed up by winning her weight class at the 2015 World No-Gi Championship, becoming a 2x world champion.
## Specialties

- Open guard
## Achievements

- IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2017/2016/2015)
- IBJJF World No-Gi 2nd Place (2018)
- IBJJF Pan American 3rd Place (2016)
- IBJJF Pan American NOGI 3rd Place (2021)
- IBJJF World Champion (2015 brown)
- IBJJF World Championship Runner-up (2014 brown)
- IBJJF World No-Gi Championship Runner-up (2012 purple, 2014 brown)
- IBJJF Pan American Championship Runner-up (2015 brown)
- CBJJ Brazilian National Runner-up (2011 purple)
- IBJJF World Championship 3rd Place (2013 brown)
- IBJJF World No-Gi Championship 3rd Place (2013 brown)
- IBJJF Pan American Championship 3rd Place (2013 purple, 2014 brown)
- IBJJF Brazilian National Championship 3rd Place (2010 blue)

---

**Last Updated:** September 05, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/patricia-fontes)