Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighter Wiki, All their history from their favorite techniques to the meaning behind their Portuguese nicknames as well as fight videos and techniques. Learn more about your favorite Jiu Jitsu figures on this section.
João Pedro “Somalia” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Jonathas “Monteirinho” Couto and Eduardo “Jamelão” Conceição of Checkmat academy. Somalia burst into the grappling scene after winning two world titles at brown belt, later becoming a Pan American champion on his first year as a black belt, cementing his name as one of the top grapplers of his generation.
Watch Copa Podio’s Heavyweight GP livestream for free here! One of the most important tournaments on the jiu jitsu calendar, Copa Podio gathers some of today’s top talent in the Brazilian jiu jitsu heavyweight division. This evening’s heavyweight GP is brought to you free of charge, curtsey of Copa Podio’s management.
Luan Carvalho is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Master Cláudio Joanino of the Nova União academy in Macaé. One of the rare examples of a competitor who reached success at black belt, having gone through his coloured belt career in obscurity, Luan turned a few heads his way after his 2015 Pan American Championship performance where he defeated the decorated veteran Rodrigo Caporal. Carvalho would carry on in good form that year winning the Rio Fall Open and at the Brazilian Nationals, defeating two former champions, Michael Langhi and Juan Caio Kamezawa while cementing his name as one of the top lightweights of his generation.
One of the main figures of the Alliance academy during the 1990s, Felipe Neto, also known as Zicro, was the first black belt to accompany Romero Cavalcanti to the United States, helping Master Jacaré establish the Alliance HQ on American soil. Zicro would later open his own Alliance branch in Florida.
Gabriel Rollo is one of the top lightweights in the Brazilian jiu jitsu lightweight division of his generation, having medalled in important grappling tournaments such as the South American, World, Pan American Championships as well as the European Open. Learn more about this Checkmat black belt here.
One of the toughest men to have competed in combat sports, Enson Inoue, or “Yamato Damashii”, is an American born Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under John Lewis, being the founder of the world famous Purebred Academy. A polarizing figure in both jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts (MMA), Enson was of great importance in the development of Brazilian jiu jitsu in Japan, having introduced the combat style to many important Japanese grapplers.
Fabiano Scherner is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt of Murilo Bustamante and Luis Roberto Duarte, having earned his grade in under four years, a remarkable achievement in the sport. Scherner is also a former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who competed for important organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Cage Rage.
Givanildo Santana is a Lotus Jiu Jitsu Club representative, and former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who was regarded as one of the top jiu jitsu stylists in MMA, having finished his career with an 18-3-0 record, 16 submission wins (13 armbars).
Geovanny Martinez, commonly known as “Geo” Martinez is a 10th Planet jiu jitsu black belt under Eddie Bravo and one of the top no gi grapplers of his generation, having reached his black belt grade in 3 years time with big wins at touraments such as the ADCC trials and EBI.
Rodrigo Pagani is a jiu jitsu black belt under Saulo Ribeiro, being an illustrious representative of the Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu association in Brazil. A former Brazilian National and International Masters & Seniors champion, Rodrigo Pagani is mostly known for his trademark positions, such as the “magretti choke” and the “curu curu guard”.
David Terrell (Dave Terrell) was the first black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu awarded by Cesar Gracie. Widely regarded as one of the top grappling competitors of his generation, having medalled at the ADCC tournament finals and with wins over renowned competitors such as Ricardo Almeida, Fernando “Margarida” or Dean Lister. David Terrell transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA), reaching the UFC, though he would later be cut from the organization after a series of unfortunate injuries. Dave Terrell later became one of the top grappling and MMA coaches in North California, through his own endeavour, the NorCal Fighting Alliance, find out the story of this American grappling legend here.
Dimitrius Souza, also known as “Dimi” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Sergio Moraes and one of the top Alliance academy representatives in the heavyweight division. A product of the Nascidos para Vencer social project in Sao Paulo, Dimitrius medalled in some of the top tournaments in the world at black belt such as the World Jiu Jitsu Championship, having also won the Brazilian National title on several occasions as well as the South American title.
One of the top representatives of the Gracie Barra team during the early 2000’s, Bruno Fernandes became one of the most prestigious grappling coaches in Canada, having worked with many of UFC’s top stars from the Tri Star gym in Montreal, including George St. Pierre. Bruno later founded the first Gracie Barra academy in Montreal.
BJJ Ranking, March 2015 edition. The BJJ Heroes’ jiu jitsu rankings follows a competition driven point system, these points are harvested from the sport’s most important tournaments to form an unbiased list of top Brazilian jiu jitsu competitors by weight division. On this article you will find who are the top grapplers in the world at this moment in time.
Fernando Gurgel is one of the founders of Brazilian jiu jitsu’s most dominating team, the Alliance academy. A former student of Romero Cavalcanti, Fernando Gurgel was at one point the head coach of the Alliance academy in Rio de Janeiro. Fernando is also the older brother of Fabio Gurgel. Find more of this great BJJ figure here.
Sergio “Malibu” was one of the most recognizable figures in Jiu Jitsu during the 1980s and 1990s. One of the main advocates for the surfing/jiu jitsu lifestyle crossover, and former Pan American and Brazilian National Jiu Jitsu Champion, Malibu was a student of Rolls Gracie and Rickson Gracie who became highly involved with the start of the Master Academy of Romero Cavalcanti.
One of the greatest super heavyweight competitors in jiu jitsu’s sporting history, Alexandre “Café”, became known as a Gracie Barra representative during the 2000’s decade, where he accumulated victories over some top competitors such as Fabricio Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Fernando “Terere” or Demian Maia to name a few. Café also had a short spell as a mixed martial arts fighter, competing in the UFC.
Ricardo Rezende is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, being also one of the most talented grapplers of his generation, having earned important titles in the sport, such as the World Expo GP, the No Gi Pan American and the Miami Open, to name a few. Find more on this Fight Sports athlete here.
Kim Terra is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Ricardo Vieira, being a representative of the CTBJJA at international events, a team created by Kim’s older brother Caio Terra. Kim is regarded as a tough competitor in the black belt division, having medalled in tournaments such as the World and Brazilian National No Gi Championships as well as the Pan American Jiu Jitsu Championship. Check inside for more detail regarding Kim Terra.
One of the top competitors in Brazilian jiu jitsu’s female division, Monique Elias stormed through her competition at the lower belt levels obtaining a stacked list of sporting accomplishments. Find the story of this former model turned into fierce competitor in one of the toughest sports in the world.