Masuda is still in a hospital bed in Londrina, Brazil, unable to move his legs more than a week after a jiu-jitsu match left him with a severe spinal injury. Meanwhile, his opponent that day, Juliano Di Pelli Machado, has spent the week trying to contain the fallout from a private recording that leaked online and cast him in a harsh light.
The injury happened on Saturday, August 22, during a black belt match between the two competitors at a tournament in Londrina, Paraná. Masuda, known in the sport as “Kabuto,” suffered a fracture-dislocation of his cervical spine, breaking both his C5 and C6 vertebrae. He underwent surgery that lasted nearly ten hours. Afterward, his medical team said he was conscious, stable, and able to eat, though he still had no movement in his legs. Updates on the condition of his arms have shifted almost daily since.
The legal process moved just as quickly. Prosecutor Renato de Lima Castro requested that the case be treated as an especially serious bodily injury, citing an 88-pound (40 kg) size difference between the two competitors in his filing. The filing was blunt about what the video evidence showed.
“It happens that, in an act of high danger, evident to any athlete or ordinary spectator, the reported Juliano threw himself completely, letting all of his body weight fall on the body of the target Willian ‘Kabuto’ at once, severely injuring the target in a serious submission position,” the filing read.
Civil Police have since confirmed a formal inquiry is underway.
The controversy around Di Pelli stems from a recording he made the morning after the tournament, intended for a private group of his students. In it, he walked through his version of the sequence that injured Masuda, describing his opponent as thin and out of position beneath him. Once the clip spread far beyond the group it was meant for, and as word got out that Masuda was unlikely to walk again, the characterization drew sharp criticism online. Di Pelli’s attorney, Felipe de Melo, said the remarks were recorded before Juliano fully understood the extent of Masuda’s injuries.
Di Pelli responded with a second video aimed squarely at correcting the impression left by the first, speaking directly to Masuda and his family.
“My name is Juliano Di Pelli, I want to talk about the video that is circulating. I recorded this video on Sunday morning for a group of students, with the intention of reassuring them. So far I didn’t know about William’s real situation. When I heard about the seriousness of the situation, I was shocked, I was very worried. William, if you can hear me, I wish you an excellent recovery, may God take you away from this, may this pass soon. To the family, to the friends, to the students, I feel very sorry for what you are going through, I really didn’t want you to go through this. And regarding what happened in the match, I will not discuss this in the press, this is not how you solve a situation like this. To the family, whatever is within my reach, I am at your disposal. And regarding the authorities, I will collaborate with whatever is necessary, I will respect, whatever the decision is. And I ask you to respect William and his family at the moment that you are living. Thank you,” Di Pelli said.
His defense team circulated a written statement the same day that echoed that message, expressing that Di Pelli was deeply shaken by Masuda’s condition and offering support to his family, while arguing that the specifics of what happened on the mat should be sorted out through the official investigation rather than public debate over an edited clip. The statement also pointed to Di Pelli’s competitive record, noting he has medaled at both the European and World Championships with no prior history of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Super Pro Jiu-Jitsu, the organization that ran the event, confirmed that Masuda was treated on site by its medical team and an ambulance service before being sent for further care, and said it remains in contact with his family while reiterating its commitment to athlete safety.
A freelance journalist with more than seven years of experience covering a wide range of topics, with a focus on delivering accurate, engaging, and well-researched reporting. He studied at the University of Birmingham, where he developed a strong foundation in journalism and communications. Martin is a 10th Planet BJJ brown belt and has been training for approximately 10 years and a keen follower of submission grappling.
