BJJ Fighter Database

Miguel Ángel Alderete is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Eduardo “Dudu” Duarte and a representative of the Nova União academy in the sport’s heavyweight division. Alderete also the first Argentinian athlete to ever medal at the Brazilian National Championship (Brasileiro CBJJ) in the adult black belt division.

Deborah Gracie Stambowsky is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Márcio Stambowsky, being one of only two women in the Gracie family to have reached the rank of black belt (the other being Kyra Gracie). Deborah Gracie Stambowsky is also known for her work towards the development of jiu jitsu in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she has formed a successful a team of female competitors through the country’s school program.

Igor Schneider, commonly known as “Tigrão” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Cicero Costha and a representative of the New School Brotherhood academy in the sport’s international circuit. Regarded as a hot prospect since he was a juvenile blue belt, Schneider cemented that claim by earning important medals across all belt levels, including a world title and numerous Brazilian National gold medals.

Luciana Dias, commonly known as “Luka” Dias is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Wellington “Megaton” Dias and Royler Gracie. A true pioneer for women’s jiu jitsu as well as one of the most accomplished female competitors of all time, Luka holds numerous titles at the highest level and 3 wins over the iconic 7 time world champion Gabrielle Garcia, two of which by submission. Dias is also the wife of the aforementioned and legendary BJJ competitor Wellington Dias and stepmother to black belt world champion Mackenzie Dern.

Rafael Mansur is an accomplished Brazilian jiu jitsu athlete, and black belt under Pedro Mello, also revered as one of the most talented representatives of the New School Brotherhood academy. Virtually unknown to the sport’s mainstream media until reaching the black belt division, Mansur turned heads his way with amazing performances and wins over household names such as Herbert Burns and Gianni Grippo, while earning podium spots at tournaments such as the Brazilian No-Gi Championship and the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.

Jhonny Loureiro is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Mário Reis, being also one of Alliance’s the top middleweight competitors. Jhonny achieved the rank of black belt in 2015 after a rampant brown belt campaign where he won 32 gold medals in the Brazilian and international grappling circuits, including Brazilian National, South American and Grapplers Quest titles as well as a World No-Gi Silver medal.

Dany Gerard is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Mike Fowler, being also the first high-level submission grappler ever produced by Tahiti. One of …

Antônio Marcos Santana, commonly known as Marcos “Ratinho” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Ricardo Vieira and Fabricio “Bicudo” Medeiros. An accomplished athlete with important wins in jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts (MMA) – under ONE FC’s promotion, Ratinho is also a true jiu jitsu globetrotter, having trained and coached in places such Brazil, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Singapore.

Francisco Iturralde, commonly known as “Sinistro” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Fernando “Soluço” Di Piero of the Alliance academy, being the first big name to come out of Ecuador in this sport. A 2x World Champion in the juvenile division, Sinistro was quick to make his mark in grappling, later cementing his status as the top talent in South America’s west coast with medals at the Pan American Championships, European Open and countless others.

Gordon Ryan is a New Jersey (USA) born grappler, known particularly in jiu jitsu’s no-gi and submission only circuit where he has beaten big names such as Gabriel Arges, Enrico Cocco and Nathan Orchard. A submission orientated competitor and one of the leading jiu jitsu figures of his generation, Gordon cemented his name as one of the top brown belts on the planet in 2015 by winning the Newaza Challenge and No-Gi World Championship, which led to his black belt promotion under Garry Tonon – this way becoming Tonon’s first ever student to achieve the rank.

Ricardo Velloso, commonly known as “Kiko” Velloso is a Brazilian jiu jitsu coral belt (7th degree), who earned his black belt rank from the late Carlson Gracie, being one of the historic members of Carlson’s powerful competition team during the 1980s and 1990s. Kiko was also one of the head instructors of the Carlson Gracie Academy headquarters in Rua Figueiredo Magalhães for 15 years, where he helped develop the games of hundreds of grapplers.

Francisco Pinto Sá, commonly known as “Sázinho” Francisco, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Master Francisco Sá, being often revered by the grappling community as one of Ceará state’s most important figures, due to his efforts in pushing for the development of this martial arts style in the northeastern region of Brazil. Sázinho is also known as one of the founders of the SAS team association, and for his coaching talent, having developed important grapplers such as Daniel Beleza, Marcus Aurélio, and countless others.

James Boran is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Joe Moreira, and a pioneering figure for this martial art in the United States, being among the first 12 grapplers outside Brazil to have earned a black belt in BJJ, a group often named as the Dirty Dozen. A former American football player, Boran carried his competitive drive to jiu jitsu, being highly decorated as a black belt, having won important tournaments such as the World Masters Championship, the Word No-Gi Championship as well as the Pan American Championship on numerous occasions.

Richie Martinez, also known as “Boogeyman” is a jiu jitsu black belt under Eddie Bravo and one of the top representatives of the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Academy in grappling’s competitive no-gi scene. An EBI and Onnit Invitational tournament runner-up, Richie is also the brother of another accomplished jiu jitsu competitor, Geo Martinez, the two being known as the “Freak Brothers” among the sport’s community.

Bruno Moreno, commonly known as Bruno “Alminha”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Jair Lourenço of the Kimura-Nova União academy. Regarded by many as one of the top roosterweights of his generation, “Alminha” remained in relative anonymity in jiu jitsu’s mainstream media, mainly due to his place of residence Rio Grande do Norte, a state located far from the sport’s limelight from which he earned important titles such as World Cup Champion (CBJJO), Brazilian National Champion (IBJJF) and European Open Champion (IBJJF).

Kristina Barlaan is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Caio Terra, who also trained extensively with Gustavo Dantas, being one of the main figures in the light-featherweight division of the sport. A reputation she earned through important wins such the IBJJF European Open and Pan American Championships.

Egan Inoue is a retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and a historic figure in the sport of Brazilian jiu jitsu, where he was the first non-Brazilian athlete to win a gold medal at the IBJJF/CBJJ World Jiu Jitsu Championships (1996/1997). A black belt under John Lewis, Inoue had a life filled with sporting achievements, being a world champion not only in jiu jitsu (2x), but also in racquetball (2x), MMA (5x under SuperBrawl promotion) while being also a world class spearfisher. Egan’s brother Enson Inoue is also a revered figure in both MMA and BJJ.

Régis Lebre is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Royler Gracie, regarded as one of the pioneers in the US East Coast through his work at Steve and DC Maxewell’s Maxwercise in Philadelphia. Not only a revered instructor, Lebre was also highly successful as a competitor, having earned a Pan American title, Masters & Senior title, and several Rio State championships.

Marcel Fortuna, also known as “Mãozinha”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Alexandre de Souza (Pop), and a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. Having conquered an IBJJF World title representing the Gracie Florianópolis team (2007), Fortuna would later join the famous Ralph Gracie’s academy in San Francisco – California (2009), with whom he started his MMA career, while still keeping active within the local grappling circuit.

Darson Hemmings is a Jamaican/Canadian black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu by Jorge Britto, being the first athlete of Caribbean origin to compete in the ADCC. Hemmings is also one of the most accomplished Canadian competitors of his generation with medals at tournaments such as the World No-Gi Championship, European Open and Pan American Championship.