Bianca Andrade Barreto is a former professional athlete in Body Boarding who converted into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, having become one of the best female competitors of all time with numerous important titles such as Brazilian National champion and World champion on multiple. With wins over some of the best fighters of her generation, such as Fabiana Borges, [...]
A historical figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Leticia Ribeiro has collected medals in world grappling events for years on end, being considered one of the top 10 best female fighters of all time having been distinguished with a mention in the IBJJF Hall of Fame. Leticia Ribeiro is also the leader of one of the best female BJJ teams, the Gracie Humaitá, an organization teeming with talent, such as Penny Thomas, Bia Mesquita, Mackenzie Dern amongst many others.
Michelle Nicolini is one of the elite fighters in womens jiu jitsu. A 3x Jiu Jitsu World Champion, European open weight champion and World Pro Cup Champion, Nicolini is also a black belt under ADCC 2007 absolute champion Robert Drysdale. Michele’s rampant competitive career has had its shiniest moments since she started training under Rodrigo Cavaca at his Santos academy.
One of the greatest ambassadors of Jiu Jitsu in Brazil and throughout the World, Kyra is an example of success in a sport ruled by men. She is also the first female BJJ black belt from the Gracie family to compete (and win) at the highest level.
a Jiu Jitsu prodigy in the women’s division, this “Gaúcha” World Champion and black belt under Fábio Gurgel is one of the rising stars in BJJ today.
Roberto Magalhaes, also known as “Roleta” in Jiu Jitsu is one of the “all time greats” in competitive BJJ, a 4x World Champion with one of the most creative guard games ever seen, he is regarded as the creator of “Inverted” guard.
Royler Gracie was the first great champion in Jiu Jitsu, he set the record at the time for most consecutive World Championship victories and was the most successful Gracie representative of his generation in BJJ, Grappling and MMA.
One of the most accomplished jiu jitsu competitors in the world, Roger Gracie has won over 10 BJJ world jiu jitsu championship medals, including 3 golds in the open weight division, a deed never done before. Roger Gracie has other titles such as the ADCC championships, European Open and Pan American Championship, as well as a career in Mixed Martial Arts – MMA.
Saulo Ribeiro is a 5x Brazilian jiu jitsu World Champion and one of the greatest BJJ fighters to have ever competed in the sport. A black belt in both judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu, Saulo Ribeiro has won the ADCC (the most important submission wrestling tournament in the World) on two occasions forming together with his younger brother Alexandre Ribeiro one of the most accomplished families in the sport.
Fabio Gurgel is regarded as one of the top coaches in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The head instructor and leader of Team Alliance at the Sao Paulo head quarters, Fabio Gurgel was also one of the best jiu jitsu competitors of his generation with many important titles to his name, such as World Champion, Brazilian National champion and European Open champion. In 2010 Fabio Gurgel put his name in the BJJ record book when he competed and won the European Open, one of the top events in the jiu jitsu calender, at the age of 40, just a few months after he celebrated his 20th year as a jiu jitsu black belt.
Romulo Barral is a Jiu Jitsu fighter, a black belt under Vinicius “Draculino” with an extensive resume in BJJ. A World and Pan American Champion
Bruno Malfacine is a former Gama Filho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter, now fighting from Alliance. A 4x World Champion with an amazing Jiu Jitsu style
Hannette Staack one of the most accomplished grapplers in the world and an historical jiu jitsu black belt from Andre “Negao”. A founding members of the Brazil 021 BJJ team, Hannette Staack has won numerous medals in important tournaments such as the world championships (6x) and the ADCC (3x), arguably the world’s toughest submission wrestling tournament.
Robson Moura, also known as “Robinho”, is one of the greatest competitors in jiu jitsu’s super featherweight division, a weight class he dominated for years achieving 6 world titles in his career. After retiring (unofficially) from his competitive career, Robson Moura dedicated his full attention to his career as a grappling coach in the United States where he developed his own association RMNU (Robson Moura – Nova Uniao).
Rubens Charles, also known as “Cobrinha” – Little Snake – is a 5 time World Jiu Jitsu Champion with the longuest reign in the featherweigh division’s history. This Brazilian competitor from the town of Londrina, is famed for his agressive game inside the matted arena, but he is also an acomplished instructor as he has shown teaching at Team Alliance’s HQ in Atlanta.
Alexandre “Xande” Ribeiro is a 6x world Jiu Jitsu champion from the Gracie Humaitá camp. Having been taught by some of the best coaches such as Royler Gracie and Vini Aieta as well as Xande’s own brother, the legendary Saulo Ribeiro. Xande Ribeiro (who is ranked #1 on BJJ Heroes’ Top 10 BJJ Fighters of All Time) also joined MMA in 2008 premiering in Japan’s organization Sengoku.
Marcelo Garcia also known as “Marcelinho“, is one of the most loved fighters in the BJJ community. With an entourage of fans throughout the grappling circuit earned by his Jiu Jitsu prowess and his amicable demeanor. Marcelo Garcia is considered by many as one of the All Time Best BJJ Fighters to have ever entered a mat, including by Rubber Guard guru Eddie Bravo, who considered Marcelo to be the BJJ “messiah“, after watching him in action.
