Brianna Ste-Marie

Brianna Ste-Marie was born on 30 August 1996, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. A successful rugby player throughout her childhood and teenage years, she started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) after starting university. At 19 she decided to quit rugby for BJJ.^[1]

In December 2020 after getting promoted to brown belt, Ste-Marie became Combat Jiu-Jitsu flyweight champions after defeating Liz Tracy in the final.^[2] In October 2021 competing at Medusa 1, a Female-Only Jiu-Jitsu event, Ste-Marie became bantamweight Combat Jiu-Jitsu rules Medusa champion. after submitting Nikki Sullivan.^[3]

In 2021, Ste-Marie won the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds and the American Nationals, both at brown belt^[4]

On 4 December 2021, after winning the ADCC East Coast Trials, defeating no-gi world champions Raquel Canuto and Nathalie Ribeiro and Jasmine Rocha,^[5] Ste-Marie was promoted to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt,^[6] by Brazilian Top Team Canada’s head coach, Fabio Holanda.^[7] At the end of 2021, Ste-Marie was awarded with "Female Breakout Grappler of the Year" by BJJ and grappling media outlet Jits magazine at the 2021 BJJ Awards.^[8]

In April 2022 Ste-Marie won the 2nd ADCC North American Trials thus qualifying for the ADCC World Championship. Ste-Marie became the first woman in ADCC history to win both East and West Coast trials in the same cycle, defeating 10 opponents across both Trials competitions.^[9] During the 2022 ADCC World Championship Ste-Marie won silver after defeating Finnish Elvira Karppinen in the first round and Bianca Basilia via Points (4-0) in the semi-final before losing to current BJJ World champion Ffion Davies in the final.^[10] In 2021 Jitsmagazine awarded Ste-Marie received their 'Female Breakout Grappler of the Year' award.^[11]

She was then invited to compete in the women's under 66kg grand prix at Polaris 23 on March 11, 2023.^[12] Ste-Marie won her opening round match against Maggie Grindatti but lost in the second round to Amy Campo.^[13] She next competed at the IBJJF Miami Open on April 29 and 30, 2023 where she won two gold medals in middleweight division and the absolute division.^[14] In June 2023 she won bronze at the 2023 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the light division.^[15]

Ste-Marie competed against Elisabeth Clay for the vacant featherweight Who's Number One title at WNO: Night of Champions on October 1, 2023.^[16] She lost the match by unanimous decision.^[17]

Ste-Marie was invited to compete in the women's lightweight division of The Crown on November 19, 2023 along with Luiza Monteiro, Janaina Lebre, and Nathalie Ribeiro.^[18][19] She lost to Monteiro in the opening round and chose not to compete in the bronze medal match.^[20]

Ste-Marie challenged Ffion Davies for the under 55kg title at Polaris 27 on March 23, 2024.^[21] She lost the match by submission.^[22]

Ste-Marie won a silver medal in the lightweight division of the IBJJF Brazilian National Championship 2024 on April 28, 2024.^[23]

Ste-Marie won a silver medal in the lightweight division of the IBJJF World Championship 2024 on June 1, 2024.^[24]

Ste-Marie was then invited to compete in the under 65kg division of the 2024 ADCC World Championship.^[25] She defeated Morgan Black by decision in the opening round, lost on points to Helena Crevar in the semi-final, and lost a decision to Bia Mesquita in the bronze medal match to finish fourth.^[26] She also competed in the women's absolute division, getting submitted by Adele Fornarino in the opening round.^[27] She then won a gold medal in the middleweight division of the IBJJF No Gi European Championship on October 20, 2024.^[28]

Ste-Marie competed in the lightweight division at the second edition of The Crown on November 17, 2024.^[29] She defeated Jaine Fragoso, Gabrielle McComb, and Janaina Lebre to win the title.^[30]

Ste-Marie won a gold medal in the lightweight division and a silver medal in the absolute division at the IBJJF No Gi World Championship 2024.^[31]

Ste-Marie faced Elisabeth Clay at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10 on March 6, 2025.^[32] She won the match by submission.^[33]

Ste-Marie represented Team North America at Polaris 32 on June 28, 2025, going 2-1 and helping them beat Team Europe.^[34]

Main achievements:^[1]

• IBJJF World No-GI Champion (2022^[35])
• 2nd Place 2022 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship
• ADCC East Coast Trials winner (2021)
• ADCC West Coast Trials winner (2022)
• Combat Jiu-Jitsu flyweight Champion (2020)
• 3rd place IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (2023)

In coloured belts:^[1]

• IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2019 purple, 2021 brown)
• IBJJF Pan American Champion (2018 blue, 2020 purple)
• IBJJF Pan Championship No-Gi Champion (2018 blue, 2019^[a] purple)
• IBJJF European Open Champion (2020 purple)
• IBJJF American Nationals Champion (2021 brown)
• IBJJF American Nationals No-Gi Champion (2021 brown)
• 2nd place IBJJF American Nationals (2021^[b] brown)
• 2nd place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2018 blue)
• 2nd place IBJJF Pan Championship No-Gi (2017 blue)
• 3rd place IBJJF World Championship (2018^[a] blue, 2019 purple)
• 3rd place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2019^[b] purple, 2021^[b] brown)
• 3rd place IBJJF Pan Championship (2020^[b] brown)
• 3rd place IBJJF European Open (2020^[b] purple)