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Giovanna Canuto's Performance in the LFA: Analyzing Her Recent Fights and Results
- kennyherrholz
- Jun 17
- 7 min read
Giovanna Canuto has quickly become a name to watch in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) thanks to her impressive performances and technical skill. She showcased her talent by staying undefeated early in her LFA career, winning fights with both submissions and strong grappling abilities. Her victory by rear-naked choke at LFA 127, where she defeated Jasmine Pouncy in the first round, stands out as a great example of her skills in action, as seen in this LFA 127 highlight.
Canuto, who fights in the strawweight division, has built her reputation on a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and continues to refine her craft with every match. She is known for her quick takedowns and ability to finish fights on the ground, which has earned her attention from MMA fans and analysts alike.
Key Takeaways
Giovanna Canuto’s technical skills have made an impact in the LFA.
Her strong ground game and submission victories highlight her talent.
She is a rising athlete to follow in women’s MMA.
Giovanna Canuto’s Background and Rise in MMA
Giovanna Canuto was born into a family known for success in combat sports. Her path from jiu-jitsu champion to professional MMA has drawn attention for its speed and her string of strong finishes.
Early Life and Heritage
Giovanna Canuto, also known as "GiGi," was born in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. This city is recognized for producing many top-level fighters. Her parents both hold black belts in jiu-jitsu, with deep roots in the sport.
She started training in martial arts at an early age. Growing up in a family focused on jiu-jitsu shaped her mindset and work ethic.
Giovanna earned her black belt in jiu-jitsu and became a world champion before turning to MMA. This background gave her a strong foundation for the next step in her fighting career.
Transition From Jiu-Jitsu to MMA
After reaching the highest levels of jiu-jitsu, Giovanna decided to compete in MMA while still a teenager. Her skills on the ground helped her adjust quickly to cage fighting.
In her early MMA fights, Giovanna showed her grappling by winning with first-round submissions. She gained attention in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), standing out with her fast finishes and control on the mat.
Her move from Cobrinha BJJ Academy, a well-known jiu-jitsu gym, to a full MMA training schedule demonstrated her commitment to developing new skills and becoming a more well-rounded athlete. This switch increased her ability to compete against experienced MMA fighters.
Training and Influences
Giovanna trains in Las Vegas, Nevada, a city known for top-level MMA instruction. She works with a group of respected coaches and sparring partners across jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and striking.
Her training partners often include top fighters from the Cobrinha BJJ network and experienced MMA athletes. Daily practice with these experts has improved her takedowns, submissions, and stand-up game.
Giovanna credits her parents, her gym, and the culture of Brazilian combat sports for her discipline and drive. She continues to grow as a fighter by learning from each matchup and training camp, always focused on reaching the next level in the sport. For a deeper look at her stats and current ranking, see her MMA fighter profile.
Career Highlights in the Legacy Fighting Alliance
Giovanna Canuto has built a strong record in the Legacy Fighting Alliance. Her MMA career highlights show both submission skills and striking ability as she faced several tough competitors.
Key Victories and Notable Fights
Canuto entered LFA at a young age and made an immediate impact. In her professional debut, she showed her grappling skills by finishing Kathy Solorzano with a first-round heel hook at LFA 113. This win marked her as a dangerous submission artist in the division.
Throughout her LFA career, she scored several first-round finishes. She added victories over Amanda Lovato and Jasmine Pouncy, showing both control and adaptability. Canuto maintained an undefeated streak as she moved through cards like LFA 127 and LFA 142.
Canuto's win streak drew attention from fans and analysts. Her ability to control fights both on the ground and standing up has become a defining strength in her performances.
Performance Against Prominent Opponents
Many of Canuto’s opponents had experience in other major MMA promotions. For example, her matchups against fighters such as Natasha Kuziutina at LFA 173 brought new challenges. Kuziutina, known for her own grappling, pushed Canuto and tested her defensive and offensive skills.
She has also prepared to fight competitors like Flor Hernandez at LFA 211, showing a willingness to face high-level talent. Although not every bout ended in a finish, her performances have been consistent and technical.
Canuto’s fight history includes matches with Ershirley Kessy Pereira and Jamie Colleen Miller, providing more proof of her versatility in the strawweight division. She has stood out for her poise under pressure and her steady improvement as she faces stronger opposition.
Technical Analysis of Giovanna Canuto’s Performance
Giovanna Canuto has shown strong technical skills in her LFA bouts, especially with her grappling and submission finishes. Her experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gives her an edge in both offense and defense during fights.
Submission Techniques and Finishes
Canuto stands out for her smooth transition from striking exchanges to ground fighting. She often looks for openings to secure submissions, using her technical knowledge from years of grappling. Her track record in LFA and other events includes multiple submission wins, with armbar and rear-naked choke being two of her main finishing moves.
She also shows good control when setting up positions. For example, Canuto transitions from guard to mount efficiently, giving her chances to attack with submissions or maintain top control. Her timing allows her to capitalize on small mistakes made by opponents.
Key Submission Wins:
Armbar: Quickly locked in from mount or guard.
Rear-Naked Choke: Secured after taking her opponent’s back.
Heel Hook: Displays advanced leg lock skills, though less common in her LFA fights.
Her submission rate is notably high for the strawweight division, which points to her grappling strength. Canuto’s ability to finish fights on the ground makes her a constant threat once the action hits the mat, as highlighted by her Sherdog profile.
Fight Strategies in the Strawweight Division
Competing at strawweight, Canuto uses a mix of patience and aggression. She often starts with measured striking to test distance. If opponents overcommit, she reacts fast, going for takedowns or clinch work.
Her fight IQ shows in her adaptability. If the stand-up battle is not going her way, she shifts to her strengths in grappling. On the ground, she maintains control and looks for high-percentage submissions. Her victories have come by different methods, including TKO, submission, and decision, showing her diverse skill set, as seen on Tapology.
Canuto’s game plan usually involves wearing her opponent down over the rounds. She stays composed under pressure and uses her MMA experience to dictate where the fight takes place. Her technical skills and strategy give her an advantage against many in the division.
Training Camp and Preparation Insights
Giovanna Canuto’s success in the LFA has a lot to do with her focused training at a top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy and the teamwork she benefits from every day. Her preparation includes high-level coaching, demanding drills, and a strong network of experienced athletes.
Role of Cobrinha BJJ Academy
Cobrinha BJJ Academy plays a key role in shaping Giovanna Canuto’s skills for MMA. The academy is led by Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles, a multiple-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This environment gives her access to world-class instruction and a structured training program with a focus on technique and discipline.
At Cobrinha BJJ, athletes train for both grappling and MMA. They use tailored drills, sparring sessions, and technical classes to sharpen their skills. Canuto’s jiu-jitsu background has given her an edge in transitions and submission defense during LFA fights. The academy’s reputation for producing top-level grapplers matches her own achievements in competition.
Classes at the academy often focus on live drills, positional training, and breaking down high-level situations that occur in MMA. This kind of training has been vital for Canuto, helping her compete successfully at a professional level.
Collaboration with Training Partners
Giovanna Canuto’s training partners are experienced martial artists with grappling and striking backgrounds. Working with training partners every day helps her apply techniques in realistic situations. They create tough, varied fight simulations to help her adjust to different opponents.
Her partners give her constant resistance, forcing her to improve both on the ground and in striking exchanges. Training partners challenge her, correct her mistakes, and give valuable feedback. Many partners are also competitors who push each other to excel.
Practice often involves drilling with partners of different skill sets, building comfort with fast-paced scrambles, clinch work, and defensive moves. The collective effort from her teammates at the academy helps Canuto stay prepared and confident for upcoming LFA fights.
Giovanna Canuto’s rise in mixed martial arts has brought fresh attention to Brazilian fighters in international organizations. Her journey displays how skill, discipline, and cultural background shape success in the strawweight division.
Representation of Brazilian Fighters
Giovanna Canuto’s background gives her a unique connection to Brazil, especially the Amazonas region. Growing up with strong roots in Manaus, she stands out as a symbol for other athletes from Brazil. Her technical skills in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and ability to finish fights by submission demonstrate the country’s deep influence on MMA.
Brazilian fighters have long played major roles in top MMA organizations. However, Canuto, with her undefeated streak in the Legacy Fighting Alliance and multiple first-round finishes, shows new fans what makes Brazilian athletes unique. She gives young women in Brazil a clear example of how hard work, tradition, and commitment can lead to success, even on international stages like the LFA.
Legacy Within Legacy Fighting Alliance
Within the Legacy Fighting Alliance, Canuto has become an athlete to watch. She gained attention by securing several first-round submission victories in the strawweight division. Her professional MMA record, including events in the LFA, demonstrates a consistent ability to win under pressure. According to Tapology, she holds a 5-1 record.
Her performances provide clear benchmarks for up-and-coming fighters in the organization. Canuto’s impact is visible—she shows that technical skill and mental toughness can determine the outcome in high-level fights. The Legacy Fighting Alliance, known for building talent, has benefited from her success, as she brings greater visibility and sets a high standard for women’s MMA competition.
