Carlos Vieira Holanda “Esquisito”

Carlos Vieira Holanda, also known as “Esquisito” is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Master Faustino Neto, and another important competitor to come out of the grappling hub that is Manaus – Brazil, the birthplace of several important grapplers such as Ronaldo Souza, Ary Farias, Saulo Ribeiro. In 2010 Holanda conquered the IBJJF Pan American championship defeating Caio Terra to reach his gold medal, his biggest career accomplishment.

Carlos Vieira Holanda Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Carlos Vieira Holanda

Nickname: “Esquisito” means “weird” in Portuguese. It was given to Carlos after he spent a weekend with a cousin who had the nickname. Because Carlos was a small kid and was always with his cousin, people started calling him “esquisito”, though Mr. Holanda prefers to be called by Carlos.

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Reyson Gracie > Osvaldo Alves >  Faustino Neto (Pina) > Carlos Holanda

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2010/2008)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2003/2004/2006)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2012)
• 1st Place IBJJF Rio Open (2009)
• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2003 brown)
• 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2007)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2014/2007/2006/2004)

Weight Division: Pluma (64kg-141lbs)

Favorite position: Open Guard

Team/Association: Carlos Holanda BJJ

Carlos Holanda Biography

Carlos Holanda Vieira was born in Manaus, State of Amazonas – Brazil. He entered Faustino Neto, AKA “Pina” BJJ academy in 2000, joining one of the toughest gyms in the state with fighters such as Bibiano Fernandes and Dawglish Sousa.

He quickly established himself as one of the best competitors there and started training more in Rio de Janeiro at both the Gracie Barra gym and the Osvaldo Alves academy (Pina’s master). Osvaldo was a big influence in the evolution of “Esquisito” putting tremendous belief in him, a belief that gradually converted into titles.

In 2009 Carlos Holanda joined a different team, Checkmat. He had been good friends with Lucas Leite for a while (who is one of Checkmat’s main athletes) and decided to join the team. The change was beneficial for Vieira Holanda as he went on to ad another trophy to his curriculum almost immediately, the prestigious Rio Open.

In 2009, Esquisito was also one of the loudest voices against the 50-50 guard, heavily criticizing the use of it and Guilherme Mendes (one of his biggest rivals in the Pluma weight division).

In 2015 Holanda left the Checkmat academy, going on to form his own affiliation – Carlos Holanda BJJ.