Joao Assonitis
BlackBiography
Joao Assonitis is a professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt born in Rio de Janeiro. After early interests in football, skating, and surfing, he transitioned to martial arts at age 10, eventually focusing on grappling due to the influence of his father and stepfather. He began his formal jiu-jitsu training under Darwin Falcao before moving to the Double Five team to compete at an elite level.
Assonitis' career is marked by a rapid ascent through the colored belt ranks under the guidance of Rafael Barbosa. He was promoted to black belt in December 2023, a milestone he celebrated by honoring both his current and original instructors. His technical style blends a modern grappling approach with the pressure-based roots of his early training in Brazil.
He is particularly recognized for his proficiency in the leglock game. His approach often centers on high-level lower-body entanglements, specifically utilizing a inside heel hook system initiated from the 50/50 position to finish opponents.
Now based in the United States, Assonitis has transitioned into a leadership role as the founder of his own academy, Ephesians Six Jiu-Jitsu, in Texas. He remains an active competitor while dedicated to building his own team and sharing the technical precision that defined his development in Rio de Janeiro.
Personal
* Legend status is reserved for retired athletes with outstanding achievements and a lasting impact on the sport.
Rankings
Main Achievements
Submissions Breakdown
Wins
Losses
| Submission | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Inside heel hook | 9 | 0 |
| Straight ankle lock | 2 | 0 |
| Armbar | 1 | 0 |
| Rear naked | 1 | 2 |
| Kneebar | 1 | 0 |
| Aoki lock | 0 | 2 |
| Arm-in guillotine | 0 | 1 |
| Rear triangle | 0 | 1 |
| Opponent | Result | Date | Event | Method | Weight | Round | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henrique Camargo | Win | 2/22/2026 | Austin Winter No-Gi | Inside heel hook | 79KG | Finals | 1 |
| Joseph Myers | Win | 2/14/2026 | Thug Trials 2 | Decision | 155 lbs | — | 16 |
| Miguel Costa | Win | 12/13/2025 | No-Gi Worlds | Inside heel hook | 73KG | 16 | 39 |
| Matheus Candido | Win | 12/13/2025 | No-Gi Worlds | Kneebar | 73KG | 32 | 33 |
| Julian Espinosa | Loss | 12/13/2025 | No-Gi Worlds | Points: 2-0 | 162 lbs | Quarter-Finals | — |
| Michael Haynes-Molller | Win | 11/23/2025 | F2W 300 | Decision | Unknown | — | 16 |
| Julian Espinosa | Loss | 10/3/2025 | No-Gi Pans | Aoki lock | 73KG | Semi-Finals | — |
| Jed Hue | Win | 10/3/2025 | No-Gi Pans | Points: 6-2 | 73KG | Quarter-Finals | 32 |
| Pablo Candido | Win | 10/3/2025 | No-Gi Pans | Rear naked | 73KG | 16 | 10 |
| Keith Krikorian | Loss | 6/25/2025 | UFC BJJ 1 | Rear naked | Lightweight | — | — |
| Danny Maira | Win | 5/29/2025 | UFC FPI 11 | Inside heel hook | 160LBS | — | 246 |
| Bruno Santanna | Win | 2025 | Oklahoma No-Gi | Inside heel hook | 73KG | Finals | 1 |
| Ricardo Junior | Win | 2025 | Houston No-Gi | Inside heel hook | 85KG | Finals | 1 |
| Declan Moody | Loss | 2025 | Austin Winter No-Gi | Rear naked | Absolute | — | — |
| Carlos Henrique | Loss | 2025 | Dallas No-Gi | Points | Absolute | Semi-Finals | — |
| Roberto Jimenez | Loss | 2025 | Austin Winter No-Gi Open | Rear triangle | Absolute | — | — |
| Matheus Galvao | Win | 2024 | Dallas Summer No-Gi | Points: 2-0 | Absolute | Finals | 1 |
| Joao Rodrigues | Win | 2024 | Dallas Summer No-Gi | Straight ankle lock | Absolute | Quarter-Finals | 1 |
| Ismael Santos | Win | 2024 | Dallas Summer No-Gi | DQ | 73KG | Finals | 1 |
| Garrett Mowles | Win | 2024 | Dallas Summer No-Gi | Armbar | 73KG | Semi-Finals | 1 |
| Carlos Henrique | Loss | 2024 | No-Gi Pans | Arm-in guillotine | 73KG | Semi-Finals | — |
| Danilo Moreira | Win | 2024 | No-Gi Pans | Points: 2-0 | 73KG | Quarter-Finals | 15 |
| Erike Martins | Win | 2024 | No-Gi Pans | Inside heel hook | 73KG | 32 | 8 |
| Austin Oranday | Loss | 2024 | Austin Summer No-Gi | Aoki lock | Absolute | Finals | — |
| Matheus Chedid | Win | 2024 | Austin Summer No-Gi | Points | Absolute | Semi-Finals | 1 |
| Carlos Andre | Loss | 2024 | Austin Summer No-Gi | Points | 79KG | Semi-Finals | — |
| Max Hanson | Win | 2024 | No-Gi America | Points: 4-0 | 73KG | — | 31 |
| Ismael Santos | Win | 2024 | No-Gi America | Inside heel hook | 73KG | Finals | 71 |
| Carlos Rodrigues | Win | 2024 | No-Gi America | Inside heel hook | 73KG | Semi-Finals | 46 |
| Max Hanson | Win | 2024 | No-Gi America | Points: 4-0 | 73KG | Quarter-Finals | 31 |
| Gianni Grippo | Loss | 2024 | No-Gi Worlds | Points: 6-2 | 73KG | Quarter-Finals | — |
| Kamil Wilk | Win | 2024 | No-Gi Worlds | Straight ankle lock | 73KG | 16 | 38 |
| Bernardo Delibero | Win | 2024 | No-Gi Worlds | Inside heel hook | 73KG | 32 | 32 |