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Top BJJ Competitors of all Time

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Nicholas Meregali Instructionals

Welcome to the BJJ Heroes’ Top 10 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competitors of All Time’ list. This is the 3rd generation of the list as we have always tried to improve on the previous sortings. On our first improvement, we added a scoring system to the list in an effort to make this list as unbiased as possible. We have now decided to separate the list in 4 weight categories (and one overall):

This split was decided as most heavier weights tend to do better in the absolute divisions, also the competitiveness of the lower weight divisions is arguably not as high as some of the others. But if you are not interested in these, we also have a pound for pound best in BJJ, the open weight list.

The scoring system remains the same as before. The points are awarded per medal in the black belt division of all 4 major competitions of the sport. The two main competitions (World Championship/Mundial and ADCC) were given more relevance as they are the cream of the crop of BJJ tournaments while the other two (that arguably are just as hard as the aforementioned) are seen as lower in overall significance.

Scoring System:

POINTS PER MEDAL
Gold / 1st place Silver / 2nd place Bronze / 3rd place
Mundial 4 3 1
ADCC 4 3 1
Pan Am 3 2 1
Brasileiro 3 2 1


ROOSTER TO FEATHER 57KG -- 70KG

Cobrinha-top10

THE KING: Rubens Charles Maciel (Cobrinha)
At the top of the lighter weights ranking is Rubens Charles, the king of the featherweight division for 4 years straight who added another world title in 2017 at the age of 37. Now retired the Alliance team member was at the top of the heap for over a decade, being closely followed by the greatest roosterweight of all time, his teammate Bruno Malfacine, who is at #2.

RankFirst NameLast NameNicknameTeamTotal Points
#1RubensCharlesCobrinhaAlliance80
#2BrunoMalfacineAlliance77
#3RafaelMendesAtos51
#4MarioReisAlliance / GB / Behring41
#5CaioTerraCTBJJA40
#6Royler GracieGracie Humaita38
#7FredsonPaixaoOsvaldo Alves32
#8RobsonMouraRobinhoNova Uniao28
#9PauloMiyaoPSLPB / Unity JJ26
#10GuilhermeMendesAtos25
#10BibianoFernandesMestre Pina25


LIGHT TO MIDDLE 76,00KG -- 82,30KG

Marcelinho-top10

THE KING: Marcelo Garcia (Marcelinho)
Even with the latest updates to the ranking, the middleweight G.O.A.T. remains at the top of our list. Another member of that legendary Alliance team of the mid-2000s, a team with an array of representatives in our Best Of All Time Ranking (Cobrinha, Malfacine, Garcia, Lepri, Langhi, Bernardo Faria).

One of the most creative grapplers of all time, Marcelo Garcia stayed at the top of, arguably, the most stacked division in the sport for years on end; mastering and innovating a variety of techniques, including the arm drag, his famous marcelotine, north-south chokes, X-Guard, Single X and others. Truly a one of a kind type player, Marcelo helped shape the landscape of modern-day Jiu-Jitsu both in kimono category and in No-Gi.

RankFirst NameLast NameNicknameTeamTotal Points
#1MarceloGarciaMarcelinhoAlliance69
#2MarcioFeitosaGracie Barra63
#2LucasLepriAlliance63
#3OtavioSousaGracie Barra50
#4MichaelLanghiAlliance48
#5Fernando AugustoSilvaTerereAlliance, TT35
#5LeonardoVieiraLeozinhoCheckmat, Alliance35
#6CelsoViniciusCelsinhoRyan Gracie29
#7ClaudioCalasansJuninhoAtos27
#8VitorRibeiroShaolinNova Uniao23
#8AntonioSchembriNinoGracie Barra23
#9EduardoConceicaoJamelãoAlliance18
#10GabrielArgesGracie Barra15


MEDIUM-HEAVY TO HEAVY 88,30KG -- 94,30KG

THE KING: Leandro Lo
For years Alexandre Ribeiro dominated the Best Jiu-Jitsu Player Of All Time Ranking, this finally changed with our 2020 update, after Leandro Lo’s historic performance at the IBJJF World Championship of 2019 — gold in heavyweight, silver in open weight divisions. With this points-boost Leandro finally surpassed Xande in the top 10 list, making him one of the most accomplished jiu-jitsu athletes of all time, with an added bonus. As reported by BJJ Heroes earlier (check here), Leandro is also the record holder for Most World Titles In Different Weight Classes, an honor previously owned by Xande’s brother, Saulo Ribeiro — who held the record for 20 years.

RankFirst NameLast NameNicknameTeamTotal Points
#1LeandroLoNs Brotherhood85
#2AlexandreRibeiroXandeRibeiro Jiu Jitsu79
#3AndreGalvaoAtos78
#4RomuloBarralGracie Barra67
#5Saulo RibeiroRibeiro Jiu Jitsu64
#6RobertoMagalhaesRoletaGracie Barra44
#7BraulioEstimaCarcaraGracie Barra40
#8FabioGurgelGeneralAlliance38
#9RafaelLovato JrRibeiro Jiu Jitsu35
#10RodolfoVieiraBlack Belt HunterGF Team32


SUPER-HEAVY TO ULTRA-HEAVY ABOVE 94,30KG

THE KING: Marcus Almeida
Marcus Almeida keeps climbing. After surpassing Roger Gracie in the rankings back in our 2018 update, the Checkmat team juggernaut has distanced himself even further in our latest update, after winning double gold at the IBJJF World Championship as well as a silver at the 2019 ADCC.

No adjectives can quantify the greatness of Almeida’s career. Sequential double gold medals at the IBJJF World Championship since 2012, having only failed to hit the double in 2015 due to injury, and 2018 by forfeiting the last match to an injured Leandro Lo. Without a shadow of a doubt the most accomplished competitor of his generation and one of the most dominant grapplers of all time.

RankFirst NameLast NameNicknameTeamTotal Points
#1MarcusAlmeidaBuchechaCheckmat84
#2RogerGracieGracie Barra69
#3BernardoFariaAlliance54
#4MarcioCruzPé de PanoGracie Barra47
#5RafaelLovato Jr.Ribeiro JJ35
#6AntonioBraga NetoGordo JJ34
#7FabricioWerdumVai CavaloWinner-Behring28
#8RobertoToziGodoi JJ / G1327
#8RodrigoCavacaZenith27
#9Jose MarioSperryZe MaquinaBrazilian Top Team25
#10LeonardoLeiteAlliance20


POUND 4 POUND

THE KING: Leandro Lo
Lots of changes in this ranking on our latest update. As aforementioned, Leandro Lo reigns as the king in our pound-4-pound list, closely followed by his good friend Marcus Almeida. Both players still fairly active in jiu-jitsu, with a solid chance of expanding their dominance in the foreseeable future.

Once our P4P best, Xande Ribeiro is now strongly holding to the 4th place as Rubens Charles’ legendary Super Grand Slam run of 2017 boosted him to the podium 3 years ago. Interestingly, less than 10 points separate the #1 from the #6. A very close contest.

RankFirst NameLast NameNicknameTeamTotal Points
#1LeandroLoNs Brotherhood85
#2MarcusAlmeidaBuchechaCheckmat84
#3RubensCharlesCobrinhaAlliance80
#4AlexandreRibeiroXandeRibeiro Jiu Jitsu79
#5AndreGalvaoAtos78
#6BrunoMalfacineAlliance77
#7RogerGracieGracie Barra69
#7MarceloGarciaMarcelinhoAlliance69
#8RomuloBarralGracie Barra67
#9Saulo RibeiroRibeiro Jiu Jitsu64
#10MarcioFeitosaGracie Barra63
#10LucasLepriAlliance63
FEMALE DIVISION P4P

NOTE: When assessing the points accounted for in this exercise of the “Female P4P List” please keep in mind that for years the division ran in a mix of purple, brown and black belts, and we accounted for all medals in the division, even when the athlete was not yet at the black belt rank.

THE QUEEN: Bia Mesquita
We had alluded to Bia Mesquita’s dominance in our sport’s female division and this is exactly what we see in our rankings, with Bia holding a near 40 point lead over #5 player — Kyra Gracie. Although there have been rumors of a possible shift towards MMA, Mesquita is currently still active in the sport and could create an even bigger barrier between herself and the number 2, Michelle Nicolini.

RankFirst NameLast NameNicknameTeamTotal Points
#1BeatrizBeatrizGracie Humaita90
#2MichelleNicoliniCheckmat70
#3GabrielleGarciaAlliance67
#4LuizaMonteiroNs Brotherhood / Checkmat / PSLPB63
#5KyraGracieGracie Academy54
Honorable Mentions

Though this list is based only on competitive achievements, there are certain figures of BJJ that deserve their mention in the top of all time. These are Jiu-Jitsu black belts who were part of an era when competition was active but records were poorly kept, and though they cannot be in an official listing of this website, they deserve the admiration of this great BJJ community by the strength of their achievements. Without any specific order, these men are:

Rickson Gracie: Often regarded as the best Jiu-Jitsu fighter of all time, Rickson competed for years in hundreds of matches in several different disciplines (No Holds Barred, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, etc) with the only loss on record coming in a Sambo competition by points.

Rolls Gracie: Rolls is another member of the Gracie family that is always present as one of the top athletes of all time, he was a creator of positions and one of the first people in Jiu-Jitsu to believe in cross-training, bringing a lot of Judo and Wrestling techniques to help grow BJJ. He was also the family’s top competitor in the 1970s, ending his reign undefeated.

Cássio Cardoso: A student of Carlson Gracie, Cassio only had one loss in his competitive career, a loss to Marcelo Behring (which he avenged afterward in an epic 90-minute battle). Cassio was regarded as the best student in the Carlson Gracie gym and one of the most complete fighters that ever lived.

João Alberto Barreto: Famous for being Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’s top representative in the 1950s, Joao Alberto spent his entire career without tasting the bitter flavor of defeat. He competed extensively (mainly in Vale Tudo matches) and is known to have never lost a fight.

Amauri Bitetti: the first open weight world champion, a deed he accomplished twice in his career, Amauri Bitetti was one of the top competitors of his generation, considered by most as the top man in BJJ after Rickson Gracie hung up his Jiu-Jitsu gi.

5050 Guard Instructional by Lachlan Giles

176 Comments

  • John Knord says:

    This list fails without Mario Sperry, Ricardo Delariva, Jean Jacques Machado etc…..

  • admin says:

    Hi John,

    The list is based on achievements, and although you could make an argument for sperry, the others didn't win any significant tournament, because there wasn't any in their time. There are a ton of guys I would have really liked to place here, but this is a list based on tournent victories (BJJ). I will do another list soon based on a different rule though.

    All the best,

    Andre

    • lllliiikke says:

      de la riva never had guard passed in comp

    • Weeberi says:

      Hello!
      I am pretty sure that roger has 10 wins at mundials 2004-2010 own weight and 3 times absolute plus 4 times silver from absolute 2004,2005,2006,2008 so that would give him 7 points more and put him to the second place.

  • Omar says:

    The So Called "Holy Trinity" Of BJJ…Jacare Souza, Roger Gracie And Marcelo Garcia…..Jacare's not on the list.

    • BJ Davis says:

      He only competed in sports jiu jitsu for 2 years as a black belt before he got into MMA so he didn't have as many tournaments under his belt since this is based on total medals achieved.

  • admin says:

    Omar, that name was used to define a generation, not BJJ as a whole. Jacare could of made it if he competed in BJJ for a longer period. Unfortunately (for jiu jitsu) he moved to MMA at his prime and achieved 3 World titles. Any of the guys here on this list has a better acomplishment list then him.

  • Omar says:

    Fair Enough.

  • chris says:

    Vitor Shaolin was also left off of the list, he was incredibly relevant and went on a tare where he dominated the worlds

  • the man says:

    What about Gurgel he has a pretty good bjj resume if i remember correctly.

  • admin says:

    Hi guy's, we all have our favourite fighters and Gurgel and Shaolin are excellent candidates to best fighters of all time. I have my favourites also which are not on this list. But what I did with this list I tried to make a list based on majour tournament wins. Any of the fighters here has a slightly better record then these two. When tied in World Championship wins I loked at Pan Ams, Brazilian Nationals or ADCC wins.

    Gurgel and Shaolin are amazing, I personally love Shaolin's style he is one of my top 5 personal favourites, but basing the list on facts I had to leave him out.

    Hope this explains your questions.

  • Robinho says:

    this list is incomplete and incorrect without "The General" Fabio Gurgel no matter what the admin says!

  • admin says:

    General, is that you? 😀

    Gurgel has 4 World Titles and 3 European titles (one as a senior) and one Brazilian National title as his greatest achievements. ANY of the guys on this list has a bigger trophey list then his (relevance wise). This is NOT a personal favourite list. Prove me why I need to put someone on this list and I will, objectivity is my goal here…

    Regards,

    André

    • John says:

      Only golds at ADCC and Mundials should count. Winning Pans and other smaller tournaments should not count since some of the top guys don't even turn up to them. That's like including the no-gi worlds even though the competition is not the same as the adcc

  • ninjamurf says:

    I think the problem a lot of people are having here is that you said Top 10 BJJ Fighters "of all Time"…not "the last 15 years when big tournaments were happening." If you are going to say "all time" then you HAVE to start throwing in guys like Rickson, Carlson, Rolls, the General, etc.?

  • admin says:

    HI Ninja,

    You make a valid point but it doesn't make a very good title :), but it is a list of the best competitors of all time. Maybe the list should be called the best "competitors" of all time. Be it as it may, when you make a top 10 list, there are important people that will stay out, regardeless, as in any sport. I based my list on competition results, not on "hearsay" or my personal favourites (really, they are not). I can make 10 different top 10 based on 10 different subjects, this is ONE. And based on the criteria, I believe it to be accurate and fair… Of course, I may be a little biased 😀

    André

  • adam says:

    roberto traven should def be on this list

  • J The Monster says:

    Ok this is a okay list but you put Marcelo Garcia up and he lost recently to Pablo Popovitch. I train with Popovitch everyday.my question is why isn't he up there?

    • alan says:

      Marcelo is a way smaller then popovitch, and Marcelo is also not juiced beyond belief!

  • Dean says:

    J, this is called the top 10 BJJ LIST! not J's list… do you know anything about BJJ? how many world titles does Popovitch have at black belt? Plus, Marcelo has won twice against Pablo's 1. Stupid argument

  • Stan says:

    Where is Rickson, Rolles, Carlson, Delariva

  • Josh says:

    I agree in that I think that some of the previous comments, that the list is missing certain fighters that may have in fact been better than those on this list p4p are unfair, based on the fact that this list is purely based on tournament prowess. However I was wondering if you took into account the fact that the heavier fighters have a huge advantage in that they're weight helps them in the 'absolute' division, which allows them to gain two world championship titles in one year far more easily than a lighter fighter. If not then I think that the list should take this into account, especially if it is a lighter fighter winning the absolute division over a heavier fighter, as I think that this is the ultimate achievement in bjj. thanks

  • Steven D. (NAVY MAN) says:

    How about Daniel Moraes? I dont know how many world titles he has, but from the small amount of time I trained with him at Gracie Jacksonville, I know he seemed to be very very popular at tournaments. Where do you all think he stands, whether on this list or not? Thanks!

  • Ashish Bakshi says:

    Where's Leo Vieira? Without him, this list is incomplete.

  • Rich Ferrell says:

    Where is Leo Vieira??? This list is absolutely ludicrous! How did you decide what title and competition is more valid than another? Without Leo this list is not valid.

  • admin says:

    Hi Rich and Bakshi, this is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu website, so it makes sense that BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU tournaments have more relevance then other competitions in other styles. Leo has 1 Mundial as black belt and 2 Pan Am, not close to anyone in this list. In fact there would be quite a few people in front of Leozinho for this list. He is an amazing fighter, hands down, but he would not be part of this sort of list.

    I don't feel like I should explain the list to every single one that contests it, but I opened an exception for you guys.

    André

  • Bruce Hoyer says:

    I have to make a case for Rodrigo Comprido Medeiros? Multiple time Absolute winner, Mundial champion, pan am champion.

  • people says:

    I think it's quite obvious that the list puts a greater weight on the "number of times one won the mundials", then followed by pan-ams, Brazilian national and ADCC.

    The list fails to mention that not all those mundial titles were won in the blackbelt division. Take Robson Moura for example, he's not exactly a '6-time blackbelt world champ' as he won 1997 mundial as a purple belt. Same goes for Terere, you list him as a 6-time mundial champ', but did not disclose that only two of those came in the blackbelt division.

    Also, just because one wins more mundials than the others, doesn't necessarily mean that they are the greatest. some great fighters like Shaolin,Feitosa and L. Viera had fewer medals because they had to compete among themselves to get one!

    Also your argument states that this is a primarily BJJ list, and not "JJ list", then how did the ADCC weigh on your selection? you may better off call this article 'the Greatest BJJ Gi Fighters' or something like that.

    I think we can agree that Roger is hands down the best ever BJJ fighter ever. However the top 10 list such as this one will not do justice for many other great BJJ fighters who are left out. I actually like Graciemag's effort of compiling the list of greatest BJJ competitors by decades and voted by the BJJ authorities a few years back.

  • admin says:

    Hey People,

    You are right, the list is more based on BJJ achievements, though I also rate submission wrestling events to an extent (in case of draw). The argument you state doesn’t make much sense though. It is true that one of Robinho’s titles is as a purple, but he achieved 5 Mundials after that (5!!), he also has 1 World Cup title (arguably the hardest title to get in those days at the lighter weights). He also has a Brazilian National title.

    As for Terere, he has 4 world cup titles, 2 world titles and 2 silver world medals (one fighting 4x above his weight class, just because he felt like it).

    Any of these two guys has more relevant titles then Shaolin (who is one of my favourite fighters of all time, by the way), who has 3 world titles and one Brasileiro. The fact that Ribeiro, Vieira and Feitosa had to fight amongst themselves makes even less sense… Everybody has to fight hard people to win a title, it’s the Worlds! Terere fought Schembri, Marcelo Garcia, Portugues and many others, same thing with Robinho

    And by the way, ADCC is not a BJJ tournament, it is Submission Wrestling. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu does involve the gi, so there is no need to write “Gi” in the title, it is understood…

  • My greatests says:

    […] About 3 years ago someone gave me a DVD of some of his matches and it blew me away. Interestingly, BJJ Heroes totally disagrees with […]

  • bjjfighter says:

    gracie mag voted leo in the top 10 fighters of all time!!! he needs to be on this list . Rico vieira also won nine world titles and beat robson to win the black belt !!!! and to leave sperry out and ??? strange

  • diegosukata says:

    Entiendo perfectamente la lista … pero donde esta Leozinho ??

  • admin says:

    Guys, Guys, Guys, Guys… I have answered these questions so many times… read the previous comments… and Ricardo has 6 world titles (1 at black belt). The other 3 titles were at World Cup (CBJJO). I love him, I trained with him and he is one of the best coaches ever. I would really like to have him on the list, but (for the 1.000.000.000 time) this list is not about what I personally like, it is about competitive achievements, and these are undeniable facts!

  • Dennis says:

    Awesome list! I agree with you as far as basing this on significance and # of world titles. While there are many honorable mentions I feel these guys are the top 10 competitive grapplers of all time.

  • admin says:

    Thanks Dennis!

  • Yoxford Boy says:

    All Wrong!

    Rickson…. the best bjj fighter of all time… even better than Roger (who I love and respect immensely as well)!!!

    Who can and would argue that… not even the best BJJ practioners today… just ask Paulo Filho!!!

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Filho

    • lol says:

      Marcelo would beat Rickson, as would Roger and possibly Jacare. Rickson is one of the greatest no doubt, but he fought in the days of little competition. Also, I believe Marcelo should be moved to the top of the list. He recently won the last tournament without even a point being scored on him. He's also beaten Rickson's son two or three times.

  • Jason cronjager says:

    Antonio Braga Neto

  • Adam says:

    Even though he is some what young in the sport, I would definitely rate Rafael Mendes as one of the top 10 in the world.

  • Eric T says:

    What about Ronaldo Souza? He has 2 wins over Roger Gracie and a win over Marcelo Garcia and he's one of the best BJJ fighters IMO.

  • David says:

    I like this kist and find it to be fairly accurate I think another good criteria judgement would be quality of opposition!

  • Dalton says:

    No andre galvao?

  • jdstck says:

    Was just wondering where Ricardo Liborio would rank on an all-time list?

    Thanks

  • Wagner Peinado says:

    I think you need to put in this site a page with "the legends of bjj" and finish de discutions…

  • D says:

    Rickson? Rolls? this seems like a list of the best BJJ players in the era since IBJJF/CBJJF started holding championships. To make it an all time list it should be more open to include BJJers who didnt have the opportunity to compete in sanctioned organized tourns like there are today. Can anyone really say that Rickson or Rolls dont deserve to be on the list of all time greats.

  • admin says:

    Hi D

    when Rolls was around there weren’t many significant tournaments so it is very hard to assess. This list is based on sporting achievements.

  • Joel says:

    Just want to put it out there that I absolutely enjoy this site. Tons of information on fighters, videos of their matches. Can't ask for more really. A really great source of inspiration!

    Although a little disappointed I couldn't find Shinya Aoki in the figher's database.

  • admin says:

    Hi Joel,

    Thanks for the compliments, it’s nice not to read about who should and shouldnt be on this list for a change :D.

    I am trying to get good information on alot of Japanese fighters. It is hard to do, because I dont speak Japanese, but I hope to have a lot more Japanese fighters in soon and Aoki is one of them.

  • CU VERMELHO says:

    great list. what about that other guy that won he should be there toooooooo

  • Christophe says:

    big names

  • Miad says:

    Guys,

    This is meant to be a list of 10 best competitors and everyone has favourites etc. There are lots of people that an argument could be made individuals, but this is a Top 10 not a top 40! To mention fighter x beat fighter y therefore fighter x should be on the list is the equivalent of saying that Blackpool should be on the list of best English football teams because they beat Manchester Utd this year?

    I think Andre has based his list on major competition wins, naturally favouring the Mundials. There are a lot exceptional individuals ie. The General, Shaolin, Vieira Bros, Galvao, Comprido,Traven etc. But where would you put all the others on the Top 10 who have arguably achieved more in the biggest competitions?

    Just take the list for what it is, a top 10 list and its not meant to be exhaustive!

  • Adam says:

    great list

  • Bjjpurplecolca says:

    Great list! Too bad jacare did't make it. How about top 10 most exciting jiu jitsu fighters or best coaches.

  • Chip says:

    "the only man to survive his onslaught was Ricardo Abreu in 2010." Am I missing something? The only guy ever not to have been submitted by the guy you have ranked #1 "without a shadow of a doubt," was left off this list? Ricardo Cyborg Abreu has been tearing through all competition the last couple years. He won a 32man superfight event held by grappler's quest. Beat Rolles Gracie (who i'm a huge fan of) in an amazing superfight held in 2010. As far a competitions, some of his accolades are; 2x World Nogi Champion (2010 – weight and absolute);

    8x State Open Class Champion ( Mato Grosso, Brazil);

    Brazilian National Champion;

    3x Panamerican Champion;

    South American Champion (weight and open Class);

    European Champion;

    7x Grapplers Quest Open Class Champion;

    4x Copa America Open Class Champion;

    12x World Championships and world cup medallist;

    Brazilian Wrestling National Champion (Brazilian National team member).

    If there was a Superfight held next week pitting Cyborg vs Roger, I would give a slight nod in Cyborg's favor.

  • Chip says:

    Correction* Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, not Ricardo Abreu. List of accomplishments are accurate, but I do not believe Cyborg is the one you are referring to when you say “the only man to survive his onslaught was Ricardo Abreu in 2010.” Both men are great BJJ competitors, but it is Cyborg who I believe would beat Roger in a superfight next week.

  • admin says:

    Hi Chip,

    I think Miad answered your question above, and no. Ricardo Abreu is not the same person as Roberto Abreu. I have added a link in Roger's text to make it simpler to distinguish.

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