By BJJ Heroes on May 15th, 2011

Rodrigo “Brucutu” Cabral (Alliance)

Rodrigo Cabral

Rodrigo “Brucutu” Cabral is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Leo Vieira from Rio de Janeiro. One of the greatest “undiscovered” talents from Brazil, Rodrigo’s career has been plagued with injuries, though he recovered in 2011 on time to win the Brasileiro (Brazilian National). Cabral has also international experience, having competed in Europe and the United States where he spent time as a coach England.

Rodrigo Cabral Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Rodrigo de Oliveira Cabral

Nickname: “Brucutu” is the name of a cartoon character in Brazil. The name was given by Leo Vieira, Rodrigo’s former coach.

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Leonardo Vieira >Rodrigo Cabral

Main Achievements:

Brazilian National Champion (2011)
Rio State Champion (2008)
2x Phoenix Open Champion (2012 weight & absolute)
Dallas Open (2012)
Sao Paulo Open Champion (2001 FESP)
Submission Fighter 1st place (2nd phase – FESP)
UK Grappling Challenge Champion (2007)
Summer Fight Champion (2004)
Na Guarda Cup Champion (2003)
Cup Cyclone Champion (1998)
2x Cup Bad boy ryder (1999, 2000)
London Open Champion (2005)
Bitteti Cup Champion (2005)
Brazilian National Cup Bronze Medallist (CBJJO)

Weight Division:

Meio Pesado (88kg/194lbs)
Pesado (94kg/207lbs)
Super Pesado (100kg/221lbs)

Team/Association: Alliance (formerly with Gracie Humaita, Brasa and Checkmat)

Rodrigo “Brucutu” Cabral Biography

Rodrigo Cabral was born on the 7th of July, 1981 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He started practicing Jiu Jitsu with Gracie Humaita’s Fredson Alves. Shortly after he received his blue belt (1999) Rodrigo had to stop training Jiu Jitsu for personal reasons, he returned to practice in 2000 with another Humaita black belt, Marcos Norat with whom he received his purple belt. He also spent time training with Rocian Gracie, graduating as a brown belt by him.

Rodrigo moved away from the Gracie Humaita camp as he moved to Sao Paulo. There he met and befriended Leo Vieira, becoming his student. He came to London to study English in the early 2000’s, training with the Alliance team there. He returned to Brazil for a short period, receiving his black belt from Ricardo Vieira’s hands (though the belt had been endorsed by Leo Vieira who was Brucutu’s coach). He then returned to London, England and started coaching Jiu Jitsu at London Fight Factory, it was also in the United Kingdom that Rodrigo picked up on boxing, focusing a lot of his time on the striking art.

Spending a few years in England, he made his return to Rio de Janeiro and started training at Alexandre Paiva’s Alliance gym, breaking the bond with Checkmat. As he arrived back in his home country, Rodrigo had repeated injuries on both his shoulders from training accidents. He spent a long time recovering and had to go through two surgeries.

Though the future looked grim for Rodrigo’s competitive career, on his very first tournament since his recovery, Cabral managed to win one of the most important trophies in his career, the Brazilian Nationals – May 2011.

Rodrigo Cabral vs Sergio Moraes