By BJJ Heroes on February 12th, 2012

James Puopolo (Gracie Humaita)

James Puopolo

James Puopolo is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Rafael Lovato Junior who became one of the most highly regarded American submission grapplers in the BJJ circuit having won several important tournaments at a national and international level.

James Puopolo in Detail

Full Name: James Puopolo

Linage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Carlos Machado > Rafael Lovato Jr > James Puopolo

Main Achievements:

World Champion (2009 purple)
2x Pan American Champion (2011 brown, 2009 purple)
2x Grapplers Quest Open Weight Champion (2010 & 2009 brown)
2x US Nationals Champion (2010 brown weight & absolute)
World Pro Cup Trials Champion (2011 black/brown)
ADCC Northwest Trials Champion (2009)
American Nogi Nationals Champion (2008 purple)
World Silver Medallist (2007 blue)
Pan American Silver Medallist (2011 brown absolute)
3x World Bronze Medallist (2008 purple, 2010 brown weight & absolute)
2x World Nogi Bronze Medallist (2010, 2009 brown)

Favourite Position/Technique: X-Guard, Butterfly Guard

Weight Division: Super Pesado (100kg/221lbs)

Team/Association: Gracie Humaita

Sponsor:

Shoyoroll
OSS Clothing
1914 Kimonos

James Puopolo Biography

James Puopolo started training Jiu Jitsu on January 2005, shortly after he finished High School. James had played for his high school basketball team and wanted to pick up boxing, though his father influenced him to take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instead after watching a few of the early UFC’s.

Training under Rafael Lovato Junior while maintaining a career as a math’s teacher, James Puopolo managed to become one of the top grapplers in the country. He also trained extensively with Ben Baxter and the Ribeiro brothers (Saulo and Xande), reaching his black belt status on October 2011, receiving his belt from Rafael Lovato Junior.