BJJ Fighter Database

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 Gracie Barra – Recife academy, 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 Barbosa, commonly known as Lucas “Hulk”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under André Fabiano, who became known among the mainstream grappling community competing for Márcio Rodrigues’ team. Lucas Hulk’s breakthrough in the sport occurred in 2014 after his dominating performances throughout the “THE TEAM” episodes, a web based show produced by Copa Pódio in which he participated as a member of Leandro Lo’s squad. Lucas Barbosa’s talent was later cemented with wins at Abu Dhabi’s World Pro, the IBJJF World Championships as well as the Brazilian Nationals.

Garry Tonon is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Tom deBlass and Ricardo Almeida, having earned important medals for his team (Renzo Gracie Academy – NJ/Ocean County), including titles at the IBJJF World and Pan American Championships. Known as a No Gi specialist, Tonon earned his reputation through various accomplishments in prestigious grappling events, particularly in the submission only format such as: Metamoris, Polaris and Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI). Garry Tonon has also worked extensively with coach John Danaher at RGA – NYC.

Joaquina Bonfim is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under the illustrious coach “Zé Radiola”, leader of Gracie Barra – Pernambuco, an academy that has produced a long list of talented grapplers, such as Lucas Rocha, Otávio Sousa or Victor Estima. One of the main female black belt competitors to have come out of her state, Joaquina has cinched important titles on a national and international level, such as Brazilian National Champion (CBJJ/IBJJF), National Pro Champion (UAEJJ) or World Champion (CBJJE).

Manuel Ribamar, also known as “Riba”, is a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under Rodrigo Pinheiro and Cicero Costha, being regarded as one of the top middleweight competitors of his generation in the sport. Born in the state of Amazonas – Brazil, Ribamar has had a few different coaches going up the ranks, but it was at Cicero Costha’s PSLPB academy that his grappling style truly developed, earning him titles at the World and South American Championships.

The wait is finally over and Polaris delivers yet again an amazing show. As predicted the event had exciting matches throughout, a result of some fantastic …

Jamie Cruz is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie, being regarded as one of the top grappling instructors in the state …

Márcio Rodrigues is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Irami Gomes Rocha, and the founder of Equipe Márcio Rodrigues from where he has developed several high end athletes such as Lucas “Hulk” Daniel, Ygor Rodrigues as well as Yago and Ana Rodrigues. Master Márcio Rodrigues is also a reformed convict who turn his life around through jiu jitsu and used his knowledge to develop a social project focussed on the sport, with the purpose of taking kids away from the drugs and violence of some of Rio de Janeiro’s troubled favelas.

Alan Marques, commonly known as “Gumby”, is a figure of great importance for the development of Brazilian jiu jitsu in the USA. A black belt under Ralph Gracie, Gumby became the co-founder of OnTheMat (OTM), a company that revolutionized jiu jitsu’s industry through their unbiased and innovative approach to the sport through both journalism and retail. Alan Marques is also the founder of Heroes Martial Arts, one of the prime grappling academies in San Jose, California.

Emily Kwok is a Japanese born Canadian, who holds the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under Ricardo Almeida. Known as a pioneer of the sport and a great ambassador for women’s jiu jitsu, Kwok has won numerous titles such as World Jiu Jitsu Champion (gi and nogi). She is also known for her work with Marcelo and Tati Garcia.

Louis Vintaloro is a judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Royler Gracie, being one of the pioneers of this grappling style in New Jersey, particularly in the northern area of this American state. Vintaloro is also known as the founder of the Performance Jiu-Jitsu, an academy in which big names of the sport started their careers, names such as Dominyka Obelenyte and JT Torres.

Sebastian Lalli is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlos Lima, originally from Buenos Aires – Argentina. A prestigious ambassador of the sport in the South of Brazil where he established “Equipe 1”, one of the biggest teams in the region, Lalli is also a former world champion (gi and no gi) as well as one of the main figures within the Checkmat academy, a team he helped establish in 2008 together with the Vieira brothers and Chico Mendes.

Victor Honório is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under José Honório Filho and a member of GF Team. On the 9th of May 2015, Honório turned many heads his way after reaching the 2nd place of Copa Pódio’s Heavyweight GP, one of the main professional events in the jiu jitsu circuit, as a fairly unknown brown belt. Since then Victor has been widely recognized as one of the most talented ultra heavyweight grapplers of his generation.

İbrahim İnal is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Leonardo Vieira, being one of the pioneers and driving forces of this martial art/combat sport in Turkey. İbrahim İnal made a career in the jiu jitsu competing for the Checkmat academy, earning important titles such as the European Open (gi and no gi) as well as the World Masters Championship.

Herbert Burns is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Rafael “Fofitio”, and Gilbert “Durinho” Burns (Herbert’s brother). Herbert made a career in the lower belt divisions of the Brazilian grappling circuit, earning important titles such as the Brazilian No Gi Nationals and the Brazilian Teams tournament before his career change to mixed martial arts (MMA).

Mikey Musumeci, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Gilbert “Durinho” Burns and Jonatas “Tagarela” Gurgel, who is also known to have trained extensively with the Mendes brothers: Rafael and Guilherme Mendes. Musumeci made a name for himself in the lower belt divisions of the sport, winning sequential world titles from juvenile blue, up to brown belt, earning his black belt at the age of 18. Michael is also the younger brother of another high level jiu jitsu athlete, Tammi Musumeci.

Matheus Diniz is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under the illustrious Marcelo Garcia, being part of an incredible generation of athletes produced by the respected grappling coach, a generation that included competitors such as Dillon Danis, Dominika Obelenyte, Jonathan Satava, Marcus Tinoco and Mansher Khera. Diniz made a name for himself in the sport, competing in the brown belt division, where he conquered important titles such as the World No Gi and Pan American.

Guilherme Augusto is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under the illustrious Everdan Olegário, commonly known as “Mestre Dan”. A member of the Alliance academy – Cohab branch, an academy that has developed high end talent such as Sergio Moraes and Dimitrius Souza, Augusto made a name for himself in the sport’s lower belt divisions, winning important titles such as Brazilian National Champion and Sao Paulo Open champion in both his weight and the open weight divisions.

Osvaldo Augusto Moizinho, commonly known as “Queixinho” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under the Soul Fighters founding members (Rafael Barbosa, Leandro Escobar, Bruno Mendes and Augusto “Tanquinho”), although he is also known for his time spent as a student and team mate of Caio Terra. A Rio de Janeiro native, Queixinho made his name in the sport of jiu jitsu competing in the United States, where he conquered World and Pan American titles.

Venla Luukkonen is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Pedro Duarte, of the Jyväskylän Fight Club (Hilti BJJ Jyväskylä) in Finland, being the first black belt world champion to emerge from this Northern European country. Before winning the 2014 IBJJF World Championship at black belt, Venla Luukkonen was already regarded as one of the top female grapplers of her generation, having consistently medalled in jiu jitsu’s top tournaments throughout her lower belt career.