Pierre Pires: Growing From the Roots Up

Pierre Pires: Growing From the Roots Up

Heartbreak turned to opportunity when this Sao Paulo native hurt his knee, forcing him to give up his passion of soccer. Frustrated, he stumbled upon a small Jiu-Jitsu gym, and has since thrown all of his passion and energy into this sport, moving to Chicago to train and teach full-time. 

An avid competitor, he travels all over the country and is a two-time American National Champion and a two-time Fight To Win Pro Champion. He fights with a focused intensity and confidence that can only be found in a someone who has dedicated his life to Jiu-Jitsu. However, he still makes time for other hobbies such as drawing, soccer, and studying languages. Meet Soul FIghters purple belt, Pierre Pires.

BJJ Tees: Where are you from originally, and where do you currently train?

Pierre: I’m originally from Santos, a beach city in Sao Paulo, Brazil. If you get to go to Sao Paulo state, it's a must go. I train at Soul Fighters Chicago, under head coach Andre Maneco!

How long have you been training? How did you get into Jiu-Jitsu?

I've been training Jiu-Jitsu since 2013. I was actually very sad before I found BJJ, due to an injury on my knee. I couldn't keep playing soccer, which was my passion back then, so I was frustrated. I found a small gym in the back of a house owned by the professor Marcel Ribeiro. Since then, I haven't stopped training!

When did you move here from Brazil?

I moved to Chicago in the summer of 2014.

Maneco is my brother in law. He's married to my sister, Palloma. He invited me to come when we were in Rio visiting his family.

What are some of your biggest accomplishments in Jiu-Jitsu?

I'm very happy and honored to be surrounded by great and honest people. Jiu-Jitsu has been taking me to amazing places and I am always meeting new friends and contacts. Being able to expand and share knowledge is the biggest prize Jiu-Jitsu has offered me. I know the future holds a lot more!

How much do you train every week? Do you do Jiu-Jitsu full-time? What does an average day look like for you?

I teach and train full time! I train from Monday through Saturday two to three times a day, and rest on Sunday. My routine is mostly focused on my training, diet, and workout.  I teach the beginners and kids.

How do you think teaching impacts you as an athlete

I think being able to learn, apply it out there at the biggest events, and bring the experience back to the students is what every instructor/athlete looks for. I'm truly happy to be able to do that alongside Andre and the other competitors at our gym.

You have competed multiple times for Fight to Win Pro now, and been very successful! How do you like competing at a professional show like F2W, compared to other tournaments?

Thanks! I've competed three times, with two wins and one loss. It's amazing to be part of a show like that. People get to know more about the gentle art as it has a very interesting approach to the public. Seth and the Team is surely doing an excellent work by bringing the Fight To Win stage to all the big cities in the US, giving us competitors a chance to stand out.

You seem to compete a lot! What are some of your goals as a competitor?

I want to be the best rooster weight out there! It's not an easy task, but when you put in focus, hard work, faith, and determination, everything is possible.

Do you have any superstitions or pre-tournament rituals?

When I'm about to step on the mat, I like stepping on with my left foot and saying a short prayer for everything to work well. I always thank God for the opportunity to fight, after the referee raises mine or my opponent's arm.

What are some other goals for you in Jiu-Jitsu?

Being able to inspire the upcoming generation in the best way possible as a competitor is also something I strive for. I'd like to have my own school and get to share everything I'd know. That is my plan for the future.

Who are some people you are inspired by?

My master Andre Maneco surely is one of the top inspirations to me in general. With him I've been learning, not only Jiu-Jitsu, but also principles in life that we don't get out there. Bruno Malfacine, Joao and Paulo Miyao, and Caio Terra are the top competitors I study a lot.
What are some challenges you have faced on your journey?

One of the biggest challenges happened last year. I had to fight the F2W 49, and seven hours later I flew to NYC to compete at the Pan Ams No Gi. It was 29 hours with no sleep! I hope I don't go through that again.

What are some of your hobbies outside of Jiu-Jitsu?

I always save some time for my hobbies like drawing, soccer, and study of other languages. I grew up outdoors playing with friends all the time, so I'm very active. I’m always doing something.

What is some advice you would give to someone who is having a hard time in Jiu-Jitsu or maybe feels that he or she is not improving?

Be persistent. Jiu-Jitsu is a long-term martial art and, to me, it's like planting a tree. It is for life and you gotta take care of it from the roots, so it becomes strong enough to grow fruit. It took me a while as a white belt to understand the concept of sparring and rule system. So don't be harsh to yourself when there's a difficulty. Just give one step back and study. Train more and you'll eventually overcome.

What shout-outs would you like to give?

Big shout out to Nick Mitria, the Boss! He is always supporting the community. My training partners and sensei Andre! Seth Daniels for the greatest display of BJJ event around the country! My sponsors Gameness, Just Roll, Ashland Eye Care! Thank you all for the support! Until next time!

You can follow Pierre on Instagram @pierre.pires .