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 bantamweightCombat 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]
Black belt career
2021-2022
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]
2023
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]
2024
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]
