Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s Medium Heavy Weight Division (the peso meio pesado). This is a comprehensive list of this weight division’s most recognizable fighters.
Nivaldo Oliveira a world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion and a black belt under the legendary Leo Vieira. Nivaldo has become one of the strongest fighters from the Checkmat team, having defeated several important figures in tournaments all over the world.
James Brasco is an elite Wrestler and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Pablo Popovitch. Brasco has defeated several big names in the grappling scene, such as Clark Gracie, Gunnar Nelson, Steve Gable and many others.
One of the strongest competitors to have come out of the new Gracie generation, Clark Gracie is a Jiu Jitsu black belt having been taught by both his father, Carley Gracie, and Rodrigo Medeiros from the BJJ Revolution team, with whom Clark Gracie has trained for most of his competitive career.
A professional MMA fighter with an extensive background in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Gunni Nelson is one of the main figures of a new and successive generation of European (Gunnar is Icelandic) BJJ black belts that has managed to achieve excellent results at an international level.
Everton Santana, also known as “Dentinho” is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Roger Coelho with experience in the MMA professional circuit, having also been part of the famed no rules tournament named “Rio Heroes”, an event that caused much controversy in Brazil in 2007.
Master Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Leo Dalla and one of the most important and successful American born BJJ instructor in the world, having developed high end talent such as Mike Fowler, JT Torres, James Harbison and many others.
Roger Coelho is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Jorge Patino and Roberto Godoi with many important medals in the BJJ circuit to …
Ryan Murphy is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu student under Crosley Gracie, being a multiple time Pan American Championships medallist, having also had previous experience …
Cassio Werneck was one of the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu middle-weights at the turn of the century. A black belt under Ricardo Reis, Cassio …
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.
Eduardo “Jamelão” da Conceição is a historical Jiu Jitsu black belt under Romero Cavalcanti. Famed for being the “enfant terrible” of the Alliance team for years, Jamelao won several important titles such as the Brazilian National and beat some of the best fighters of his generation, people like Nino Schembri, Fernando Margarida, Jean Jacques Machado and many others.
A fantastic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor, Raphael Abi Rihan from the Carlson Gracie Team has been an important figure of the sport achieving important titles individualy and as a coach.
One of the most controversial fighters in Jiu Jitsu due to his bitter rivalries with former team mate Roberto Godoi and BJJ’s enfant terrible Ryan Gracie, “Macaco” was also one of the first BJJ fighters from Sao Paulo to transition successfully from Grappling to MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).
A respected Jiu Jitsu black belt and arguably the best referee in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (CBJJ/IBJJ). Muzio is also one of the leaders of the Brasa team and a very successful instructor with over 30 black belts under his guidance
A successful competitor in both Judo and Jiu Jitsu, today Beto is also an instructor at the “Morada do Sol” Jiu Jitsu Academy in Botafogo – Rio de Janeiro
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt from the creative Atos BJJ team. Caporal is also an up and comming Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter.
he is one of the most important figures in Jiu Jitsu’s 1990’s era. The Gracie Barra black belt is also a brilliant BJJ instructor of his own merit, being responsable for some of the greatest BJJ champions of the last decade. Over time he has been sought out by the best in the business.
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.
Another great fighter out of Floripa, Zeferino has been an avid competitor in the Brazilian national scene and in MMA.
A charismatic fighter from Carlson Gracie’s academy, this die hard amazonian is one of jiu jitsu’s main figures in the 1990’s. Here is a piece of his legacy, some of the stories that made BJJ 1990’s era.