Julie Mezabarba

Raised in Jardim America in Rio de Janeiro, Julie Mezabarba had to overcome many hardships early in life. When she was just 2 years old, Mezabarba’s father passed away. That left her to be raised and supported solely by her mother, who ran a pizzeria in their neighborhood to make ends meet. Yet, she still managed to become a prominent figure in the martial arts community.  

At 18, the atomweight took a chance and pursued a career in martial arts, giving up college and a position at her family’s restaurant in the process. Mezabarba started with kickboxing but then turned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where she earned a brown belt. 

In 2021, she made an impressive ONE debut by defeating former two-time ONE World Title challenger Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi by a dominant unanimous decision in a ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix alternate bout. Although she dropped a decision to former two-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex in the semifinals, the Brazilian impressed fans with her determination and focus. 

Mezabarba is now determined to use her story as an example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication, hoping to inspire other young women to pursue their own dreams.