Roosevelt Sousa is a professional grappler and a former volleyball player who made a name for himself in the sport of jiu-jitsu, competing in the ultra-heavyweight division. A very dynamic athlete, particularly for a large man, Roosevelt became widely recognized as one of the top competitors of his generation through his performances in the colored belt divisions of the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) circuit, particularly as a brown belt when he submitted important names such as Mason Fowler, Roberto Jimenez, Matheus Luna, Giancarlo Bodoni, and others.
Roosevelt Sousa Jiu-Jitsu
Full Name: Roosevelt Sousa
Nickname: N/A
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie >Carlson Gracie > Murilo Bustamante > Roan Carneiro > Iuri Alves > Roosevelt Sousa
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2023)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship NOGI (2023)
- 1st Place AJP King Of Mats (2021)
- 1st Place AJP Grand Slam, ABD (2021)
- 1st Place AJP Grand Slam, MIA (2023)
- 1st Place ADCC Brazilian Trials (2022)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2023*)
- 3rd Place ADCC (2022)
- 3rd Place AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro (2021+)
- 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2022** / 2023)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2022**)
Main Achievements (Colored Belts):
- 1st Place AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro (2018 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2019 brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship NoGi (2019 brown)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2016 blue)
- 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2019** brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals NoGi (2019 brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF South American Championship (2016 blue)
- 1st Place NEOJJ Norte-Nordeste Championship (2018 brown)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2019* brown)
- 2nd Place IBJJF South Brazilian Championship (2016 blue)
- 2nd Place AJP Grand Slam, AD (2017 purple)
+ The AJP federation ran two Abu Dhabi World Pro events in 2021, one in April, and another in November, the “+” sign represents the 2nd event, in November.
Favorite Position/Technique: Back Attacks
Weight Division: Pesadíssimo (over 100,50 kg / 222.0 lbs)
Team/Association: Fight Sports
Roosevelt Sousa Biography
Roosevelt Sousa was born on March 11, 1993, in João Pessoa, a city located near the mouth of the Paraíba River in the Northeastern Brazilian state of Paraíba.
Roosevelt’s path in competitive sports began by way of volleyball, a sport Sousa started at the age of 17. Already 193cm at the time (6 foot 3), the Paraíba native quickly made a name for himself, playing for 4 years in both the indoor and beach strands of the sport.
Although talented, by the time he hit the 20YO mark, Roosevelt was struggling to break through as a volleyball player at the highest level. Coincidently, at the time, a friend of Sousa invited him to come to a jiu-jitsu class to try it out. Once he did, on his birthday (2014), Roosevelt immediately felt a great connection with the gi and decided to continue.
Iuri Alves was Roosevelt Sousa’s first instructor and the man who guided the grappler through all belt ranks. In 2018, however, Mr. Alves moved to the United Arab Emirates, leaving his pupil behind.
After his instructor moved to the Middle East, Sousa continued working with another local coach and in 2019, decided to try and make a run towards the World title, a tournament held in California. To finance his trip to the US, Roosevelt opted to sell water bottles on the street. At the time the news of Sousa’s entrepreneurial mindset reached a few members of the BJJ community outside of his circle of friends, one of those was Rômulo Barral, the legendary athlete and instructor who was touched by the story and offered the young Brazilian a place in his famous pre-worlds training camp in Northridge, USA.
After the World Championship, it was Roberto Cyborg who requested Roosevelt’s presence in his Miami based Fight Sports academy. Cyborg was then preparing for a super-fight with Nicholas Meregali and was looking for strong, lengthy guard players to prepare for the Alliance world champion. Roosevelt felt at home with Fight Sports and ended representing the team on a few events.
After his time in the United States, Roosevelt re-united with his coach Iuri Alves in the UAE where he was awarded his black belt, in August 2020.
Roosevelt Sousa Grappling Record
-
BY POINTS
35 (30%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
1 (1%) -
BY SUBMISSION
79 (68%) -
BY DECISION
1 (1%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
0 (0%)
79 SUBMISSIONS WINS
-
BY POINTS
3 (12%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
6 (24%) -
BY SUBMISSION
12 (48%) -
BY DECISION
3 (12%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
1 (4%)
12 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES
Roosevelt Sousa Fight History
ID | Opponent | W/L | Method | Competition | Weight | Stage | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
25058 | Max Mendes | L | Pts: 0x0, Adv | VP League | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
25668 | Joao RochaJoao Rocha | L | Pts: 1x0 | WP BR Qualifier | 120KG | 4F | 2021 |
26375 | Khasan Varando | L | Submission | UAE Nat Pro | 120KG | F | 2021 |
28628 | Pedro AlexPedro Alex | L | DQ | ADGS RJ | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
29280 | Gutemberg PereiraGutemberg Pereira | L | Pts: 2x1 | World Pro | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
29753 | Rodrigo RibeiroRodrigo Ribeiro | L | Pts: 7x6 | Teams Cup | N/A | RR | 2021 |
31260 | Jeferson GuaresiJeferson Guaresi | L | Pts: 2x2, Adv | Charleston Open | ABS | 4F | 2022 |
31637 | Erich MunisErich Munis | L | Pts: 0x0, Adv | Pan American | ABS | SF | 2022 |
31763 | Gutemberg PereiraGutemberg Pereira | L | Choke | Pan American | O100KG | SF | 2022 |
33088 | Erich MunisErich Munis | L | Pts: 6x6, Adv | World Champ. | ABS | 4F | 2022 |
35132 | Gordon RyanGordon Ryan | L | Outside heel hook | ADCC | O99KG | SF | 2022 |
35255 | Kyle BoehmKyle Boehm | L | Inside heel hook | EBI 20 | ABS | 4F | 2022 |
35965 | Fellipe AndrewFellipe Andrew | L | Choke from back | IBJJF GP | ABS | SPF | 2022 |
36866 | Henrique CardosoHenrique Cardoso | L | Referee Decision | NoGi Worlds | ABS | SF | 2022 |
36994 | Victor HugoVictor Hugo | L | Referee Decision | NoGi Worlds | O97KG | SF | 2022 |
38613 | Nicholas MeregaliNicholas Meregali | L | Choke from back | Pan American | O100KG | SF | 2023 |
39437 | Roberto JimenezRoberto Jimenez | L | RNC | Miami NGO | ABS | SF | 2023 |
42622 | Roberto JimenezRoberto Jimenez | L | RNC | Blue Collar | ABS | SF | 2023 |
45727 | Erich MunisErich Munis | L | Pts: 2x2, Adv | The Crown | ABS | F | 2023 |
45739 | Luke GriffithLuke Griffith | L | Inside heel hook | WNO 21 | ABS | SPF | 2023 |
45909 | Roberto JimenezRoberto Jimenez | L | RNC | NoGi World | ABS | F | 2023 |
47289 | Pedro RochaPedro Rocha | L | Pts: 0x0, Adv | IBJJF NGGP | ABS | 4F | 2024 |
47463 | Victor HugoVictor Hugo | L | RNC | UFC FP6 | ABS | SPF | 2024 |
51446 | Elder CruzElder Cruz | L | Referee Decision | ADCC Orlando | ABS | F | 2024 |
52439 | Luke GriffithLuke Griffith | L | RNC | ADCC | O99KG | 4F | 2024 |
25057 | Mo. Alshehi | W | Choke from back | VP League | 120KG | 4F | 2021 |
25059 | Khaled Ahmed | W | Choke from back | VP League | 120KG | RPC | 2021 |
25060 | Mo. Alshehi | W | Violin armlock | VP League | 120KG | 3RD | 2021 |
25314 | Sultan Al Ali | W | Choke from back | Abu Dhabi Pro | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
25315 | Rodrigo RibeiroRodrigo Ribeiro | W | Pts: 3x0 | Abu Dhabi Pro | 120KG | F | 2021 |
25519 | Kamel Alghifri | W | RNC | VP Cup - 2R | 120KG | R1 | 2021 |
25520 | Hussain Amiri | W | Manoplata | VP Cup - 2R | 120KG | 4F | 2021 |
25521 | Y. AlHammad | W | Kimura | VP Cup - 2R | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
25522 | H. Mohammed | W | Submission | VP Cup - 2R | 120KG | F | 2021 |
25586 | Wallace CostaWallace Costa | W | Pts: 10x0 | Grand Slam AD | 120KG | 4F | 2021 |
25590 | Max Mendes | W | Pts: 4x2 | Grand Slam AD | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
25591 | Anderson MunisAnderson Munis | W | Botinha | Grand Slam AD | 120KG | F | 2021 |
25897 | Yassir Abdulah | W | Ezekiel | VP Cup R3 | 120KG | R1 | 2021 |
25898 | Khalid Alshamsi | W | Ezekiel | VP Cup R3 | 120KG | 4F | 2021 |
25899 | Max Mendes | W | Pts: 2x0 | VP Cup R3 | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
25900 | Hazza Mohammed | W | Cross choke | VP Cup R3 | 120KG | F | 2021 |
26374 | Tacio CarneiroTacio Carneiro | W | Pts: 2x0 | UAE Nat Pro | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
26939 | Sultan Al Ali | W | Violin armlock | Asia Cont. Pro | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
26940 | Tacio CarneiroTacio Carneiro | W | Kneebar | Asia Cont. Pro | 120KG | F | 2021 |
27512 | Aristides Ktorides | W | RNC | Lviv Pro | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
27765 | Walter Santos | W | Triangle | Grand Slam MSK | 120KG | RR | 2021 |
27766 | Matheus FelipeMatheus Felipe | W | Pts: 3x0 | Grand Slam MSK | 120KG | RR | 2021 |
27858 | Carlos Eduardo | W | Submission | Netherlands Pro | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
27859 | Eric Bergmann | W | Pts: 3x1 | Netherlands Pro | 120KG | F | 2021 |
27974 | A. Alexandrov | W | Submission | Romania Pro | 120KG | F | 2021 |
28054 | Walter Santos | W | Kimura | EU Cont. Pro | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
28055 | Aleksandr Sak | W | Pts: 5x1 | EU Cont. Pro | 120KG | F | 2021 |
28422 | Deyveson Oliveira | W | Submission | France Pro | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
28423 | Walter Santos | W | N/A | France Pro | 120KG | F | 2021 |
28626 | Igor SchneiderIgor Schneider | W | Pts: 6x4 | ADGS RJ | 120KG | 4F | 2021 |
28632 | Juan Bitterncourt | W | Botinha | ADGS RJ | 120KG | RPC | 2021 |
28633 | Igor SchneiderIgor Schneider | W | Armbar | ADGS RJ | 120KG | 3RD | 2021 |
29278 | Paulo Brasil | W | Botinha | World Pro | 120KG | 4F | 2021 |
29283 | Almir Kapic | W | Botinha | World Pro | 120KG | RPC | 2021 |
29284 | Paulo Brasil | W | Pts: 2x1 | World Pro | 120KG | 3RD | 2021 |
29423 | Gerard LabinskiGerard Labinski | W | Botinha | King Of Mats | 120KG | RR | 2021 |
29425 | Gabriel HenriqueGabriel Henrique | W | Pts: 1x0 | King Of Mats | 120KG | RR | 2021 |
29428 | Patrick GaudioPatrick Gaudio | W | Pts: 7x2 | King Of Mats | 120KG | SF | 2021 |
29430 | Wallace CostaWallace Costa | W | Pts: 1x0 | King Of Mats | 120KG | F | 2021 |
29434 | Uanderson FerreiraUanderson Ferreira | W | Armbar | AJP Teams Cup | 120KG | RR | 2021 |
29704 | Abdullah Kubaisi | W | Armbar | President Cup | 120KG | RR | 2021 |
29708 | Saeed Alahj | W | Choke | President Cup | 120KG | RR | 2021 |
29729 | U. Ferreira | W | Armbar | Teams Cup | N/A | RR | 2021 |
29740 | Daniel Conceicao | W | Botinha | Teams Cup | N/A | RR | 2021 |
29744 | Amadu Jorge | W | Choke from back | Teams Cup | N/A | RR | 2021 |
29766 | Hazza Mohammed | W | Botinha | Teams Cup | N/A | RR | 2021 |
30125 | Henrique Eyroff | W | Botinha | ADCC BR1 Trials | O99KG | R1 | 2022 |
30129 | William Classen | W | Inside heel hook | ADCC BR1 Trials | O99KG | 4F | 2022 |
30130 | Victor Doria | W | Inside heel hook | ADCC BR1 Trials | O99KG | SF | 2022 |
30132 | Pedro AlexPedro Alex | W | Calf slicer | ADCC BR1 Trials | O99KG | F | 2022 |
31258 | Marcos Carrozzino | W | Pts: 7x2 | Charleston Open | ABS | R1 | 2022 |
31291 | Levi Guimaraes | W | Choke | Charleston Open | O100KG | F | 2022 |
31625 | Austin OrandayAustin Oranday | W | Botinha | Pan American | ABS | R1 | 2022 |
31633 | Adam WardzinskiAdam Wardzinski | W | Botinha | Pan American | ABS | R2 | 2022 |
31759 | Igor SchneiderIgor Schneider | W | Pts: 2x0 | Pan American | O100KG | 4F | 2022 |
32571 | Levi Moura | W | Manoplata | Atlanta SPO | O100KG | SF | 2022 |
32573 | Helton JoseHelton Jose | W | Pts: 2x0 | Atlanta SPO | O100KG | F | 2022 |
32574 | Renan CruzRenan Cruz | W | Armbar | Atlanta SPO | ABS | R1 | 2022 |
32580 | Victor Silva | W | Armlock | Atlanta SPO | ABS | 4F | 2022 |
32584 | Italo MouraItalo Moura | W | Pts: 2x0 | Atlanta SPO | ABS | SF | 2022 |
32585 | Levi JonesLevi Jones | W | Botinha | Atlanta SPO | ABS | F | 2022 |
33083 | Vinicius TratorVinicius Trator | W | Pts: 2x2, Adv | World Champ. | ABS | 8F | 2022 |
33902 | Yuri Simes | W | N/A | F2W 207 | O94KG | SPF | 2022 |
34705 | R. EvangelistaR. Evangelista | W | Botinha | Grand Slam MIA | 120KG | 4F | 2022 |
34708 | Herico Hesley | W | Cross choke | Grand Slam MIA | 120KG | SF | 2022 |
34709 | Wallace CostaWallace Costa | W | Pts: 1x0 | Grand Slam MIA | 120KG | F | 2022 |
35122 | Joao RochaJoao Rocha | W | Kneebar | ADCC | O99KG | R1 | 2022 |
35129 | Rida HaisamRida Haisam | W | Pts: 2x0 | ADCC | O99KG | 4F | 2022 |
35250 | Angel Lugo | W | Lateral kneebar | EBI 20 | ABS | R1 | 2022 |
36299 | Justin Fabac | W | RNC | Nashville NGO | ABS | R1 | 2022 |
36302 | Joseph Watson | W | Botinha | Nashville NGO | ABS | 4F | 2022 |
36307 | Rafael AnjosRafael Anjos | W | RNC | Nashville NGO | ABS | SF | 2022 |
36308 | Francisco CuneoFrancisco Cuneo | W | RNC | Nashville NGO | ABS | F | 2022 |
36852 | Eliot KellyEliot Kelly | W | Pts: 5x0 | NoGi Worlds | ABS | R1 | 2022 |
36860 | Helton JoseHelton Jose | W | Pts: 6x0 | NoGi Worlds | ABS | 8F | 2022 |
36863 | Francisco LoFrancisco Lo | W | Pts: 8x0 | NoGi Worlds | ABS | 4F | 2022 |
36988 | Helton JoseHelton Jose | W | RNC | NoGi Worlds | O97KG | 8F | 2022 |
36989 | Antonio Assef | W | Pts: 5x0 | NoGi Worlds | O97KG | 8F | 2022 |
37935 | Leon Jackson | W | Choke from back | Tampa Open | O100KG | SF | 2023 |
37936 | Chris Passarrello | W | Choke | Tampa Open | O100KG | F | 2023 |
37937 | Leon Jackson | W | Choke | Tampa Open | ABS | 4F | 2023 |
37940 | Leo SilvaLeo Silva | W | Choke from back | Tampa Open | ABS | SF | 2023 |
37941 | Daniel DinizDaniel Diniz | W | N/A | Tampa Open | ABS | F | 2023 |
38609 | Renato Tagliari | W | Triangle from back | Pan American | O100KG | 4F | 2023 |
39417 | Ney Medeiros | W | Cross choke | Miami Open | ABS | 4F | 2023 |
39418 | Mathias LunaMathias Luna | W | Pts: 4x0 | Miami Open | ABS | SF | 2023 |
39420 | Sebastian RodriguezSebastian Rodriguez | W | Pts: 3x0 | Miami Open | ABS | F | 2023 |
42619 | Devhonte JohnsonDevhonte Johnson | W | RNC | Blue Collar | ABS | 4F | 2023 |
43152 | Marcos Carrozzino | W | Botinha | ADGS Miami | 120KG | R1 | 2023 |
43156 | Felipe BezerraFelipe Bezerra | W | Pts: 1x0 | ADGS Miami | 120KG | 4F | 2023 |
43158 | Wallace CostaWallace Costa | W | Pts: 2x1 | ADGS Miami | 120KG | SF | 2023 |
43159 | Pedro AlexPedro Alex | W | Pts: 2x2 | ADGS Miami | 120KG | F | 2023 |
43523 | Breylor Grout | W | Pts: 9x0 | NoGi Pan | O97KG | 4F | 2023 |
43526 | Igor SchneiderIgor Schneider | W | Kneebar | NoGi Pan | O97KG | SF | 2023 |
43528 | Inacio SantosInacio Santos | W | Outside heel hook | NoGi Pan | O97KG | F | 2023 |
44671 | Matheus GodoyMatheus Godoy | W | RNC | Miami FO | O100KG | SF | 2023 |
44672 | Matheus GodoyMatheus Godoy | W | Kneebar | Miami FO | ABS | 4F | 2023 |
44674 | Heitor Senra | W | Kneebar | Miami FO | ABS | SF | 2023 |
44675 | Enderson DiasEnderson Dias | W | Injury | Miami FO | ABS | F | 2023 |
45884 | Austin BakerAustin Baker | W | Armbar | NoGi World | O97KG | 4F | 2023 |
45888 | Daniel Conceicao | W | Referee Decision | NoGi World | O97KG | SF | 2023 |
45890 | Heikki Jussila | W | RNC | NoGi World | O97KG | F | 2023 |
45896 | Austin OrandayAustin Oranday | W | Straight ankle lock | NoGi World | ABS | R2 | 2023 |
45906 | Felipe CostaFelipe Costa | W | Pts: 2x0 | NoGi World | ABS | 4F | 2023 |
45907 | Elder CruzElder Cruz | W | Outside heel hook | NoGi World | ABS | SF | 2023 |
51433 | Leo Anillo | W | Kneebar | ADCC Orlando | O100KG | 4F | 2024 |
51434 | Chris Leiva | W | Botinha | ADCC Orlando | O100KG | SF | 2024 |
51435 | K. Drake | W | Pts: 5x0 | ADCC Orlando | O100KG | F | 2024 |
51437 | J. Cox | W | RNC | ADCC Orlando | ABS | R1 | 2024 |
51441 | T. Marcus | W | Submission | ADCC Orlando | ABS | 4F | 2024 |
51445 | CJ Murdock | W | Kimura | ADCC Orlando | ABS | SF | 2024 |
52046 | Alexandr Romanov | W | Inside heel hook | Pit Sub Series | NA | SPF | 2024 |
52432 | Vince Pezzuto | W | Pts: 6x0 | ADCC | O99KG | R1 | 2024 |
52708 | Christiano Tayfour | W | Armlock | JJ CON NG | O97KG | SF | 2024 |
52709 | Gabriel Berriel | W | Armbar | JJ CON NG | O97KG | F | 2024 |
52711 | Christiano Tayfour | W | Smother tap | JJ CON NG | ABS | SF | 2024 |
52713 | Dory Aoun | W | RNC | JJ CON NG | ABS | F | 2024 |
Roosevelt Sousa vs Mason Fowler