Manuel Ribamar

Manuel Ribamar, also known as “Riba”, is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Rodrigo Pinheiro and Cicero Costha, being regarded as one of the top middleweight competitors of his generation in the sport. Born in the state of Amazonas – Brazil, Ribamar has had a few different coaches going up the ranks, but it was at Cicero Costha’s PSLPB academy that his grappling style truly developed, earning him titles at the World and South American Championships.

Manuel Ribamar Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Manuel Ribamar V. de Oliveira Filho

Nickname: “Riba” which is short for Ribamar.

Lineage 1: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Royler Gracie > Rodrigo Pinheiro > Manuel Ribamar

Lineage 2: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Waldomiro Perez> Roberto Godoi > Marco Barbosa > Cicero Costha > Manuel Ribamar

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2020)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2022***)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2019)
• 1st Place IBJJF Austin Open (2018/2016/2015)
• 1st Place IBJJF San Antonio Open (2015**)
• 1st Place WSOG II (2018)
• 1st Place IBJJF NY BJJ Pro (2018)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, LA (2019)
• 2nd Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, RJ (2016)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Rio BJJ Pro (2016)
• 2nd Place IBJJF San Antonio Open (2016*)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2018)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2020 / 2021)
• 3rd Place IBJJF San Antonio Open (2016)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2015 brown)
• 1st Place IBJJF South American Championship (2014/2013 brown)
• 1st Place IBJJF Sao Paulo Open (2014 brown)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Sao Paulo Open (2014* brown, 2013 purple)

* Absolute
** Weight and Absolute
*** Closed division with teammate

Favorite Position/Technique: Toreando Guard Pass

Weight Division: Peso Médio (82kg/181lbs)

Team/Association: Rodrigo Pinheiro

Manuel Ribamar Biography

Manuel Ribamar was born on the 22nd of September, 1993 in the state of Amazonas – Brazil. Growing up “Riba” practiced a variety of sporting activities, from football (soccer) to judo, capoeira, and even skating.

When he was around 12 years old, Manuel started spending more time with his older brother – Bosco Junior, who was a brown belt in jiu-jitsu at the time. Bosco would have sparring sessions with friends at their house, on an improvised mat, which was how Riba was introduced to grappling. These rolling sessions lasted for a few weeks until one day Junior took Ribamar to a shopping center and bought him a gi as a gift. On that same day, he also took Riba to his first official class at Itamar Coty’s academy.

Though he had a few classes with coach Coty, it was Orley Lobato who took Ribamar all the way to an orange belt. With time Riba’s older brother moved out of Lobato’s gym, to open his own team together with old school coach Agenor Alvez. Manuel followed his steps. This team ended up closing in a short amount of time due to a lack of commitment and payment of monthly fees by the students. The closing of his brother’s academy led Riba to the illustrious Master Faustino Neto, commonly known as “Pina”. One of the historic figures of the sport in Manaus.

Master Pina graded Manuel Ribamar to blue and purple belt, after which he offered Riba a trip to Europe, where he could stay at Anderson Pereira’s gym (Icon Jiu-Jitsu). Although Riba enjoyed the experience thoroughly, he injured his knee and had to return to Brazil. Without the resources to finance the required knee surgery, Manuel remained 15 months away from the mats, working to obtain funds for the treatment.

Once recovered, Manuel decided to commit himself fully to the sport, selling all his belongings and moving to São Paulo where he became part of Cicero Costha’s team (Projecto Social Lutando Pelo Bem – PSLPB). Training alongside big names such as the Miyao Brothers, Leandro Lo, Yago de Souza and Wellington “Alemao” (to name a few), Ribamar truly started developing as a grappler, earning his most prestigious achievements and also his brown belt.

In 2015 Ribamar managed to meet the funds that allowed him to travel to the US and compete in the Pan American Championshionship. Manuel had a disappointing performance at the tournament, but believing in his potential and helped by Rodrigo Pinheiro he managed to remain in the country to compete at the World Championship the following month.

Rodrigo Pinheiro was of tremendous assistance to Ribamar, who took part in his camp ahead of the “Mundial” (a tournament Riba won with flying colors). Manuel remained in the US for a while after the World Championship, and as he intended to compete in the US, Master Ribeiro graded him with his black belt (fully authorized by Cicero Costha).

During the second semester of 2016 started representing the New School Brotherhood academy, a team formed by a few old PSLPB students. Ribamar said of his decision: “I still represent Rodrigo Pinheiro in the Texas region, but working with Brotherhood in international tournaments. When I returned to Sao Paulo this year, I didn’t recognise anyone anymore [at PSLPB]. All my friends were now training with Leandro, I had to go where I felt comfortable” (November 18,2016).

[fighter_status id=552]

Manuel Ribamar vs Sam Snow

Manuel Ribamar vs Jason Soliz

Manuel Ribamar Balao Sweep to Armbar