BJJ Fighter Database

Valdir Canuto, commonly known as “Tio Chico” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Leonardo Costa, and a pioneer for this grappling style in São Vicente (Brazil). A well respected referee for the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), Valdir is also an accomplished instructor, having in his son Renato Canuto his most famous student.

Paul Ardila-Ibarra a jiu jitsu black belt under Roan Carneiro, and representative of American Top Team (ATT), Ardila-Ibarra is also one of the top ultra-heavyweights of his generation, Paul also represented the Alliance Academy while training under Bruno Malfacine’s guidance during 2015.

Adam Wardziński is a Brazilian jiu jitsu under Alan “Finfou”, who is widely regarded as one of the top medium heavyweight competitors in the sport of grappling. Adam Wardziński is also one of the first big names to emerge from Poland in the sport of BJJ.

Kristian Woodmansee is a jiu jitsu black belt under André Galvão, being also one of the top rooster-weight competitors of his generation. A reputation built in the lower belt divisions of the sport for academies such as Team Lloyd Irvin, Drysdale Jiu Jitsu and Atos Jiu Jitsu.

Thamires Aquino is a jiu jitsu black belt under Júlio César, being also one of the top female competitors of her generation while competing for Grappling Fight Team – out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

David Avellan is an accomplished American grappler and a jiu jitsu black belt under Ricardo Teixeira, well known for his many battles in important no-gi tournaments such as the ADCC and Grapplers Quest, where he defeated legends of our sport such as Amaury Bitetti, Alexandre Ribeiro, Rafael Lovato Jr. and Tarsis Humphreys – to name a few.

Eddie Cummings is a jiu-jitsu black belt under John Danaher, who is widely recognized as the first big name to emerge from a grappling …

Eduardo Barboza da Silva (Eduardo Barboza) is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Master Júlio César Pereira and a representative of the GF Team in the sport’s international circuit. One of the top rooster weights of his generation, Eduardo Barboza has conquered medals in important tournaments such as the IBJJF World Championship and Pan American Championship as well as the Rio International Open.

Horlando Monteiro is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Jair Lourenço, Gustavo Dantas and Marcelo ‘Caneta’ Pinheiro – being a representative of the Kimura/Nova União academy in the sport’s international circuit. Widely regarded as one of the most talented competitors of his generation, Monteiro earned his reputation in the lower belt divisions of jiu jitsu with important wins at the IBJJF World Championship, UAEJJF World Pro Championship, European International Open, Pan American Championship and many other important tournaments.

Manoel Neto is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and founder of Focus Jiu Jitsu – one of the most successful grappling academies in Europe. Originally a product of Nova Uniao (NU), Manoel Neto arrived to the North of Portugal in the early 2000’s decade, becoming one of the sport’s pioneers in the region while helping develop jiu jitsu to an international level by producing IBJJF World and European champions and medalists as well as Abu Dhabi World Pro podium achievers

Ilke Bulut Swiss born, Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Anderson Pereira and a one of the top Icon Jiu Jitsu Team representatives in the international grappling circuit – particularly in the European scene. Bulut was recognized as a future star for the sport of BJJ while still a teenager, a time when he earned two European Jiu Jitsu Open medals, having since cemented that claim with important wins at some of the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) top tournaments.

Rolando Delgado, commonly known as ‘Roli’ Delgado is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and grappling pioneer in the state of Arkansas, US where he co-founded the Weside MMA academy. A former professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Delgado is also known for his work as a jiu jitsu instructor and for his strong influence in the development of the straight ankle lock for sport jiu jitsu in the early 2010 decade.

Hunter Ewald is a Hawaiian grappler of Brazilian descent who is widely regarded as one of the top jiu jitsu competitors of his generation. Having earned the rank of black belt from his father Bruno Xavier Ewald, Hunter earned his reputation as a top athlete in this sport while competing for Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu’s Fight Sports Academy in the lower belt divisions of the IBJJF circuit. There Ewald conquered important medals, including at the World (gi + no-gi) and Pan American (gi + no-gi) Championships.

Mauricio Pereira, commonly known as “Russo” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Laerte Barcelos, and a former freestyle wrestling standout in his native state of Rio de Janeiro. A strong competitor in the Rio grappling circuit during the 1990’s, Russo is also known for his work as a jiu jitsu referee for both the IBJJF and the UAEJJF – the two biggest federations in this sport.

Darragh O’Conaill is an Irish born Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Saulo and Alexandre Ribeiro, being also one of the top middleweights in the European grappling circuit. One of the original competitors in the famous ‘Lloyd Irvin BJJ Kumite’ tournament (2013), O’Conaill is also an EBI veteran as well as an American and European No-Gi champion, additionally to him running the East Coast Jiu Jitsu Academy, one of the most successful jiu jitsu gyms in Dublin – Ireland.

Paulo Caruso is a judo black belt and a former student of Osvaldo Alves in Brazilian jiu jitsu, from whom he earned the rank of coral belt. Widely regarded as one of the top athletes in the sport during the 1980’s, Caruso is also known for his work as a coach, developing the ground games of Olympic judo athletes such as Flávio Canto (who earned his jiu jitsu black belt under Master Paulo) and Rafaela Silva.

André Ushirobira is an accomplished Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Robson Moura, with wins in important tournaments such as the Master World Championship, Brazilian National Championship (Gi & No-Gi) and South American Championship. André is also the founder of the Ushirobira Jiu Jitsu academy from where he developed talented athletes such as Fellipe Trovo and Felipe Guria Brava.

Jan Buatim is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Leandro Lo, who’s also trained extensively with Pedro Mello. One of the rising stars of the ‘New School Brotherhood’ academy, Buatim became a respected competitor while battling in Brazil’s national grappling circuit, conquering medals in important tournaments such as the South Brazilian Championships, Floripa Open and Brazil National Pro.

Enrico Cocco is a jiu jitsu black belt under Marcos and David Avellan, who specialised in the no-gi facet of the sport, particularly in the American competitive circuit. Cocco was regarded as a grappling prodigy as a teenager, a reputation earned through his repeated victories in adult divisions of local and national tournaments. Enrico Cocco is also the head instructor and founder of Zen Jiu Jitsu, as well as a role model and active spokesperson for the benefits of plant based diets in our sport.

Manny Diaz is an accomplished jiu jitsu black belt under Caio Terra, who also trained extensively with Sandro “Batata” Santiago. Known as one of the top American grapplers of his generation, Manny Diaz’ first caught the attention of the sport’s mainstream media after a brilliant performance at the Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix of 2013, where he battled and defeated seasoned athletes while being ‘just’ a brown belt.