Lucas Rocha is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under “Zé Radiola“, being one of the most well respected competitors to have come out of the ZR Team – Recife academy (formerly Gracie Barra Recife), a school that has produced several elite grapplers such as Otávio Sousa, Bruno Alves, Braulio and Victor Estima, to name a few. After a stellar campaign in the lower belt divisions, where Lucas earned World, Pan American, and Brazilian National titles, Rocha moved to the United States, establishing himself as the head coach of Gracie Barra Arcadia in California, while still competing at the highest level.
Lucas Rocha Jiu-Jitsu
Full Name: Lucas Rocha de Freitas
Nickname: n/a
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Jose Olimpio > Lucas Rocha
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship No-Gi (2017)
- 1st Place IBJJF Dallas Spring Open (2019)
- 1st Place IBJJF San Jose Open (2019)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Santa Cruz BJJ Pro (2015)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2015)
- 3rd Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2014)
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2008 blue, 2009 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2009 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF Brazilian Nationals (2008 blue)
- 1st Place IBJJF Brazilian Nationals Juvenile (2007)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2008 blue, 2009** purple, 2010 brown)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2010* brown)
* Absolute
** Weight and Absolute
Favorite Position/Technique: Well Rounded
Weight Division: Peso Médio (82kg/181lbs) and Peso Pesado (94kg/207lbs)
Team/Association: ZR Team
Lucas Rocha Biography
Lucas Rocha was born on the 12th of February 1990, in Piedade – Recife. South coast of Pernambuco state – Brazil.
Rocha’s martial arts journey started through judo when he was 4 to 5 years old. Although Lucas did not enjoy the activity and repeatedly flunked the belt promotion tests, he persisted, particularly due to his mother’s pressure. Finally a few years into this activity, Lucas was allowed to quit.
A few years into his childhood and Lucas tried another shot at martial arts, joining a karate school nearby. The experience followed the same process, with Rocha quitting in a short period of time to join a football (soccer) team.
When Lucas was 12 years old, he witnessed his cousin get into trouble at school, an event in which he was forced to run away from 5 kids who were looking for a fight. This incident made Rocha realize the importance of self-defense, and as a result, he decided to go back to martial arts, seeking his uncle, the illustrious José Olímpio (Zé Radiola) for training.
Radiola had challenged Lucas to come and train at his academy numerous times during family gatherings. Invitations always refused by the young Rocha, so when Lucas asked his father to take him to his uncle’s gym (2002), his dad never believed he would stay. The maturity shown by Rocha took everyone by surprise at the time, with Lucas rapidly becoming a grappling “phenom”.
At the age of 17 Lucas visited America for the first time while competing at a major event. He fell in love with the country, particularly California and decided he wanted to live there. In 2009 Master Carlos Gracie Junior and Márcio Feitosa were in need help with the running of their Irvine academy, assigning the job to Lucas Rocha and Otávio Sousa.
During his stay at Gracie Barra Irvine, Lucas Rocha was awarded his brown belt by Márcio Feitosa, in a rather unusual belt ceremony, one to which Carlos Gracie and Zé Radiola participated through Skype, due to travel arrangements. On September 2012 Lucas Rocha received his black belt from his longtime coach and uncle, Zé Radiola.
Cover photo captured by Grapple TV.
Lucas Rocha Grappling Record
-
BY POINTS
28 (62%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
1 (2%) -
BY SUBMISSION
12 (27%) -
BY DECISION
3 (7%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
1 (2%)
12 SUBMISSIONS WINS
-
BY POINTS
16 (44%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
5 (14%) -
BY SUBMISSION
11 (31%) -
BY DECISION
1 (3%) -
BY PENALTIES
1 (3%) - BY EBI/OT
2 (6%)
11 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES
Lucas Rocha Fight History
ID | Opponent | W/L | Method | Competition | Weight | Stage | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4363 | Leandro LoLeandro Lo | L | Choke from back | Arizona Open | 82KG | F | 2013 |
4587 | Vitor OliveiraVitor Oliveira | L | Armbar | Pan American | 82KG | R2 | 2013 |
6056 | Jackson SousaJackson Sousa | L | Pts: 0x0, Adv | NoGi Worlds | 94KG | 4F | 2014 |
6877 | Lucas LeiteLucas Leite | L | Pts: 20x2 | Pan American | 94KG | F | 2015 |
7494 | Eduardo Inojosa | L | Adv | World Champ. | 94KG | 8F | 2015 |
7768 | Tim SpriggsTim Spriggs | L | Pts: 2x0 | FIVE SL | ABS | SF | 2015 |
7771 | Joao AssisJoao Assis | L | Pts: 4x2 | FIVE SL | ABS | 3RD | 2015 |
8009 | Thiago SaThiago Sa | L | Pts: 2x0 | Santa Cruz Pro | 94KG | F | 2015 |
8465 | James PuopoloJames Puopolo | L | Kneebar | NoGi Worlds | 97KG | 4F | 2015 |
8525 | Leo SaggioroLeo Saggioro | L | Adv | Montreal Open | ABS | F | 2015 |
8546 | Claudio CalasansClaudio Calasans | D | --- | Berkut 2 | ABS | SPF | 2015 |
9674 | Matheus DinizMatheus Diniz | L | EBI/OT | EBI 6 | ABS | R1 | 2016 |
10046 | Andre GalvaoAndre Galvao | L | Pts: 2x2, Pen | World Champ. | 94KG | 4F | 2016 |
10491 | Devhonte Bones | L | EBI/OT | EBI 8 | 84KG | R1 | 2016 |
10674 | Todd Mueckenheim | L | RNC | NoGi Pan Ams | 91KG | SF | 2016 |
11959 | Claudio CalasansClaudio Calasans | L | Points | ACBJJ 4 | 85KG | 4F | 2017 |
12101 | Leandro LoLeandro Lo | L | Brabo choke | Pan American | ABS | 8F | 2017 |
12217 | Lucas BarbosaLucas Barbosa | L | Pts: 11x0 | Pan American | 88KG | 4F | 2017 |
12836 | Johnny TamaJohnny Tama | L | Pts: 2x2, Adv | Marianas | 82KG | SF | 2017 |
12838 | Renato CanutoRenato Canuto | L | Pts: 2x0 | Marianas | 82KG | 3RD | 2017 |
13170 | Patrick GaudioPatrick Gaudio | L | Pts: 7x6 | World Champ. | 88KG | 8F | 2017 |
13315 | Lucas BarbosaLucas Barbosa | L | Katagatame | American NG Nats | 85KG | F | 2017 |
13327 | Dante LeonDante Leon | L | Adv | American NG Nats | ABS | 4F | 2017 |
13675 | Arnaldo MaidanaArnaldo Maidana | L | Arm in guillotine | ACBJJ 7 | 85KG | 4F | 2017 |
14619 | Dante LeonDante Leon | L | Pts: 4x0 | ACB JJ Worlds | 85KG | RR | 2017 |
14620 | Gustavo BatistaGustavo Batista | L | Pts: 7x0 | ACB JJ Worlds | 85KG | RR | 2017 |
16487 | Athos Ribeiro | L | Pts: 2x0 | World Champ. | 76KG | R1 | 2018 |
17802 | Gabriel ArgesGabriel Arges | L | Armbar | WSOG 2 | 81KG | R1 | 2018 |
18630 | Sergio ArdilaSergio Ardila | L | RNC | NoGi Worlds | 79KG | R1 | 2018 |
19166 | Victor SilverioVictor Silverio | L | Points | OC Open | 82KG | RR | 2019 |
19167 | Jaime CanutoJaime Canuto | L | Points | OC Open | 82KG | RR | 2019 |
19373 | Augusto MendesAugusto Mendes | L | Pts: 6x0 | Spyder Inv. | 76KG | 4F | 2019 |
19630 | Alexandre JesusAlexandre Jesus | L | Armbar | Pan American | 82KG | 8F | 2019 |
20046 | Julio AnjosJulio Anjos | L | Referee Decision | WP BR Qualifier | 77KG | R1 | 2019 |
22895 | Manuel RibamarManuel Ribamar | L | Pts: 9x0 | NoGi Worlds | 79KG | R1 | 2019 |
38148 | Alessandro Botelho | L | RNC | Curitiba SMO | 76KG | 8F | 2023 |
50820 | Nazareno Silva | L | N/A | Fortaleza Open | 82KG | 4F | 2024 |
4364 | Carlos FariasCarlos Farias | W | Pts: 4x0 | Arizona Open | ABS | 4F | 2013 |
4583 | Leo Iturralde | W | Choke | Pan American | 82KG | R1 | 2013 |
5369 | Marcelo MafraMarcelo Mafra | W | Referee Decision | Pan American | 82KG | R1 | 2014 |
5375 | Clark GracieClark Gracie | W | Pts: 7x4 | Pan American | 82KG | 4F | 2014 |
5982 | Gabriel Toribio | W | Choke | No Gi Pan Am. | 94KG | SF | 2014 |
6050 | N/A | W | Guillotine | NoGi Worlds | 94KG | R1 | 2014 |
6288 | Vinicius Silva | W | Kimura | Long Beach Pro | 94KG | SF | 2014 |
6289 | Eliot KellyEliot Kelly | W | Referee Decision | Long Beach Pro | 94KG | F | 2014 |
6867 | Jeffery Boudreaux | W | Bow and arrow | Pan American | 94KG | R2 | 2015 |
6873 | Karim Khalifa | W | Points | Pan American | 94KG | 4F | 2015 |
6876 | Tim SpriggsTim Spriggs | W | Pts: 2x0 | Pan American | 94KG | SF | 2015 |
7764 | Ezra Lenon | W | Pts: 6x0 | FIVE SL | ABS | 4F | 2015 |
8007 | Marcelo Meleiro | W | Choke | Santa Cruz Pro | 94KG | 4F | 2015 |
8008 | Manuel Diaz | W | Pts: 6x0 | Santa Cruz Pro | 94KG | SF | 2015 |
8461 | Diego Gamonal | W | Points | NoGi Worlds | 97KG | 8F | 2015 |
8522 | Todd Mueckenheim | W | N/A | Montreal Open | 94KG | F | 2015 |
8523 | Todd Mueckenheim | W | N/A | Montreal Open | ABS | SF | 2015 |
10044 | Rodrigo Martins | W | Pts: 2x0 | World Champ. | 94KG | R1 | 2016 |
10671 | Grafton Skaggs | W | N/A | NoGi Pan Ams | 91KG | 4F | 2016 |
11314 | Robby Malof | W | Points | Long Beach Open | 88KG | F | 2016 |
12094 | Eliot KellyEliot Kelly | W | Pts: 4x2 | Pan American | ABS | R1 | 2017 |
12211 | Dillon DanisDillon Danis | W | Pts: 8x2 | Pan American | 88KG | 8F | 2017 |
12834 | Jerry Imasa | W | Choke from back | Marianas | 82KG | 4F | 2017 |
13159 | Thiago SaThiago Sa | W | Pts: 8x4 | World Champ. | 88KG | R1 | 2017 |
13314 | Valdir AraujoValdir Araujo | W | Points | American NG Nats | 85KG | SF | 2017 |
13324 | Matt Kirchwehm | W | N/A | American NG Nats | ABS | R1 | 2017 |
14019 | Noah Devore | W | Pts: 13x0 | No Gi Pan Am. | 85KG | 4F | 2017 |
14021 | Vinicius Canabarro | W | Pts: 3x0 | No Gi Pan Am. | 85KG | SF | 2017 |
14023 | Jonathan SatavaJonathan Satava | W | Pts: 0x0, Adv | No Gi Pan Am. | 85KG | F | 2017 |
14969 | Rodrigo CaporalRodrigo Caporal | W | Points | ACB 10 | 75KG | SPF | 2018 |
15321 | Alex Cabanes | W | Referee Decision | ACBJJ 11 | 75KG | SPF | 2018 |
15750 | Gianni Crivello | W | Points | San Jose Open | 94KG | SF | 2018 |
16739 | Daud Adaev | W | Armbar | ACBJJ 14 | 75KG | SPF | 2018 |
19620 | Andris BrunovskisAndris Brunovskis | W | Pts: 4x2 | Pan American | 82KG | R1 | 2019 |
20000 | Edward Kim | W | DQ | San Jose Open | 82KG | 4F | 2019 |
20003 | Nathan MendelsohnNathan Mendelsohn | W | Points | San Jose Open | 82KG | SF | 2019 |
20005 | Victor SilverioVictor Silverio | W | Pts: 5x2 | San Jose Open | 82KG | F | 2019 |
20408 | Vinicius Wong | W | Submission | Dallas SPO | O100KG | SF | 2019 |
20410 | Thiago Lemos | W | Submission | Dallas SPO | O100KG | F | 2019 |
22004 | Joseph Watson | W | Pts: 2x0 | Atlanta SM Open | 88KG | F | 2019 |
22005 | Emilio HernandezEmilio Hernandez | W | Pts: 2x0 | Atlanta SM Open | ABS | 4F | 2019 |
22007 | Vinicius GarciaVinicius Garcia | W | Armbar | Atlanta SM Open | ABS | SF | 2019 |
22008 | Samuel Wells | W | Wristlock | Atlanta SM Open | ABS | F | 2019 |
22013 | Joseph Watson | W | Pts: 2x0 | Atlanta SM NGO | ABS | 4F | 2019 |
22015 | Taniel Jesus | W | Points | Atlanta SM NGO | ABS | SF | 2019 |
Lucas Rocha vs Jeffery Boudreaux (2015)