MMA Promoter and Former Fighter, Jadyson Costa of PFI

Introduction

In this exclusive interview with Jadyson Costa, a seasoned MMA fighter and founder of PFI, we will delve into various aspects of Jadyson’s life. Such as, his early life in Brazil, his martial arts journey, and his thoughts on the evolution of modern MMA. Jadyson discusses his inspirations, standout bouts, and the motivation driving his MMA promotion. His stories and perspectives reveal what it takes to thrive in mixed martial arts. Read further to learn more about his experiences, philosophies, and the passion that drives him forward.

Q&A

FightMatrix: Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like?

Jadyson Costa: Raised in Brazil in a humble, hardworking environment, I developed discipline early through horses and combat training.

 

FM: Did you have a mentor as a youth?

JC: My first mentors were my father and my karate instructor. From my instructor, I learned the discipline and values of martial arts. From my father, I learned that nothing is given to me. You should work for everything you want in life.

 

FM: At what age, and how did you become interested in MMA?

JC: I became interested in MMA at 15. I was already wearing a karate black belt with some amateur boxing experience, but everything changed in 1995 when I watched Royce Gracie compete in the UFC. Seeing him defeat bigger opponents three times in one night showed me that technique beats strength — and that’s when MMA became my path.

 

FM: In your career, only two of your bouts went the distance. What are your thoughts on prevalence of decisions, in modern MMA?

JC: Fighters are more well-rounded now — better defense, conditioning, and awareness — so it’s harder to finish opponents. Modern MMA is also more strategic. Many athletes fight to win rounds and control the pace instead of constantly hunting for finishes. Before, sport was more aggressive and chaotic. Now it’s more technical and calculated.
👉 Higher skill = more fights going to the judges.

 

FM: Which martial arts have you studied? What was your fighting style like?

JC: I trained in karate, boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, and judo, which gave me a very complete foundation for MMA. But my fighting style was heavily inspired by Wanderlei Silva.

FM: Who do you consider to be the best Martial artist of all time, and why?

JC: For me, the greatest martial artist of all time was Bruce Lee. Not only because of his skill, but because of his vision. He studied and respected many martial arts, including grappling and concepts like jiu-jitsu, at a time when most fighters were limited to just one style. What we call MMA today already existed in his philosophy through Jeet Kune Do — mixing what works, adapting to real combat, and being a complete fighter. He was decades ahead of his time and truly laid the foundation for modern mixed martial arts.

 

FM: What was the most memorable fight of your professional career?

JC: When I became the welterweight champion in the EFC Africa.

 

FM: Who are some of your favorite active MMA athletes?

JC: Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira, John Lineker and Topuria.

 

FM: In 2007, you founded the MMA promotion PFI. This is a well-established 18-year-old business. Tell us more about the history of your promotion.

JC: I founded Paranaguá Fight International (PFI) in 2007 after returning to my hometown, Paranaguá, following my time training with Chute Boxe Academy, one of
the most respected MMA teams in the world. With support from the city government, I began offering free MMA classes at the municipal sports gym for underprivileged youth. As the project grew, I created Paranaguá Fight to give these athletes a professional platform to compete. The first events were a major success, attracting top fighters from across Brazil, and we hosted six editions in the city.

Soon after, I paused the promotion to pursue my own fighting career internationally, where I became a Jiu-Jitsu world champion and an MMA champion competing in Africa (EFC Worldwide). In 2023, with the experience and structure I built abroad, I relaunched PFI with a new professional vision. Since then, we’ve hosted events every three months, transforming PFI into a consistent talent-development platform and one of the fastest-growing MMA promotions in the region. Today, PFI is not just an event — it’s a pathway for fighters to reach the global stage.

FM: How frequently do you put on events? Do you travel to Brazil for the PFI events?

JC: We host four PFI events per year — one every three months. And yes, I travel to Brazil every time to personally coordinate the event.

 

FM: What is your vision for the future of your promotion?

JC: My goal is to build PFI into a global MMA development league — the place where the next generation of champions is discovered. A platform that combines high-quality events, international streaming, strong storytelling, and athlete management to take fighters from amateur to world-class professional careers.

 

FM: Is there anything else that you would like to tell our readers?

JC: I’d just like to say that PFI is more than a fight promotion —it’s a platform built to change lives. We focus on discipline, opportunity, and giving athletes a real future in the sport. For everyone who supports us, watches our events, and believes in our mission — thank you. The best is still ahead.

Conclusion

To wrap up this insightful interview with Jadyson Costa, it’s evident that his journey in martial arts has been shaped by dedication, discipline, and a burning desire to both succeed and uplift others. Jadyson’s story is a testament to how passion and hard work can transform lives—not just his own, but those of aspiring fighters around him. He’s navigated the evolving landscape of MMA, learned from mentors, and built a fighting style inspired by legends, all while staying true to the values instilled in him from a young age.

Jadyson’s outlook on modern MMA reflects a deep understanding of the sport’s growth: it’s more technical, strategic, and competitive than ever before. His vision for PFI is ambitious, aiming to discover and develop the champions of tomorrow. The gratitude given towards supporters shows that he values community as much as competition.