"One of the most beautiful positions of jiu-jitsu" - Mayssa Bastos says her signature berimbolo captures the grace of BJJ
Mayssa Bastos is one of the most accomplished female Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes in the world and she has her trusty berimbolo to thank for it.
The 26-year-old Brazilian is truly one of the most talented and well-rounded stars in 'The Gentle Art' today, capable of producing magic off her back.
But perhaps Bastos' main claim to fame is her artistic proficiency of the berimbolo, an intricately potent back-taking technique that she has mastered to a tee.
For the uninitiated, a berimbolo started out as an extension of the De La Riva guard, where a guard player spins to an upside-down position to disrupt the balance of an opponent.
When executed to perfection, the move results in a strong sweep or leaves an opponent's back open for the taking. The visually graceful technique has also evolved over the years, and we've seen Bastos perform several variations of it.
In an exclusive interview with ONE, the five-time IBJJF world champion revealed it was the Miyao brothers, Paulo and Joao, who opened her eyes to the beauty of the berimbolo:
"My inspiration in jiu-jitsu was the Miyao brothers. I discovered them when I was very young and watched their fights on YouTube. I saw a highlight of them doing the berimbolo, and that's when I discovered this position that became my favorite position as well."
Mayssa Bastos added:
"I think the berimbolo is one of the most beautiful positions of jiu-jitsu, and I think that's what caught my attention."
Will Mayssa Bastos berimbolo her way to victory against Danielle Kelly?
Mayssa Bastos left a lasting impression to ONE fans in her clinical win over Kanae Yamada last March.
We know the decorated BJJ savant is quite comfortable on her back, which should come in handy against Danielle Kelly's proficient top control and guard passing skills.
Bastos will challenge the American superstar for her atomweight submission grappling crown in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs Balart on Prime Video.
The full event will air live in US Primetime on August 2 from Bangkok's iconic Lumpinee Stadium. ONE Fight Night 24 is free for Prime Video subscribers in North America.