A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion (2010), European Champion (2009) and Brazilian National Champion (2009) in the black belt division, Pablo Silva from Gracie Barra has been one of the top contenders of the Pluma and Galo weight divisions, with one of the most dangerous guards in BJJ today.
A historical figure at the turn of the century for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Castello-Branco fought some of the best fighters of his generation. He is also one of the main figures of the Alliance BJJ team and one of the founding members of Brasa.
Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano is a historical figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, having won important trophies such as the Brazilian National. He was a revolutionary of the open guard having created several techniques from that position. He was also one of the first members of Gracie Barra to travel to the United States.
Cesar Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Robson Gracie and one of the World’s most famous MMA coaches, having produced fighters such as Nick and Nate Diaz, Jake Shields, Gilbert Melendez and many others.
A very talented black belt under Carlinhos Gracie, this Gracie Barra powerhouse has been a menace in the heavier jiu jitsu weight divisions for a few years with wins against some of the best fighters in the world. He has been living in Albuquerque for the last few years, though this hasn’t stopped his rampant success.
One of the founding members of the Soul Fighters Team, Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa has also been an important figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s lightweight division for many years having medalled in important tournaments such as the Brazilian Nationals, the Pan Americans and even the famous Mundial where he obtained three bronze medals.
One of the world’s premiere grapplers, this BJJ black belt and Submission Wrestling expert from Rio de Janeiro has been based in the United States since the mid 1990’s where he has evolved into one of the most famous and accomplished Nogi fighters of today, as the wins at the ADCC (2009) and Nogi World Championships (2010, 2007) would certify.
A young competitor from the Alliance team, this Brazilian National champion has been one of the main forces of the Super Pesado and Pesadissimo weight divisions since he received his black belt in 2008. Today he is considered one of the best fighters out of a star studded Alliance camp in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Adriano Silva is one of the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitors of his generation who fought most of his career for the “Equipe Barbosa” …
A historical figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Leticia Ribeiro has collected medals in world grappling events for years on end, being considered one of the top 10 best female fighters of all time having been distinguished with a mention in the IBJJF Hall of Fame. Leticia Ribeiro is also the leader of one of the best female BJJ teams, the Gracie Humaitá, an organization teeming with talent, such as Penny Thomas, Bia Mesquita, Mackenzie Dern amongst many others.
He is the son of Gracie Barra founder Carlinhos Gracie and member of the famous Gracie family. Kayron is also one of the brightest stars in Jiu Jitsu’s middleweight division, with many important wins at black belt level, since obtaining his black belt in 2009.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller, and one of the best fighters in the Light and middleweight divisions, Bill The Grill Cooper fights out of the Paragon BJJ Team where he has specialized in BJJ. Get to know this amazing scrambler here.
The founder of Rio Jiu Jitsu Club and one of Master Carlson Gracie’s best students, Sergio “Bolao” was one of the best fighters of Jiu Jitsu in the 1980’s with wins over Jean Jacques Machado, Fabio Gurgel, Castello Branco and many others.
Another success story from the famous “Projeto do Cantagalo” this Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Ricardo Vieira is teaching in Singapore after a successful career as both a competitor and a coach in Rio de Janeiro
Léo Leite, is one of the most successful Judo players to have wondered into the world of BJJ. A Brazilian National Judo Team representative Leonardo Leite is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under “Gigi” Paiva from Alliance, having won 2 world BJJ championships and 3 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu National gold medals.
A professional Mixed Martial Artist with a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu background, this UFC fighter has been a force in MMA since he was still a teenager, and is today one of the hottest prospects in the world’s lightweight division.
Lucas Leite is a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt from the Checkmat Team. A World and Pan American Champion, this Leonardo Vieira black belt has been a regular presence in BJJ and Submission Grappling podiums around the world competing mainly has a middleweight. He has been living in the United States since 2007.
Milton Maximiliano Trombini is one of the leaders of Cia Paulista, a famous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team from Sao Paulo. Max is also a famous Judoka with strong ties to the Brazilian National Judo Team, having been involved with other National teams like the German, English and Russian.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Ricardo Vieira, Bruno Matias has been one of the top competitors out of the Fight Zone gym. Today he is settled in Northern Europe (Sweden) teaching his techniques in the Old Continent.
A multiple time World Champion, Omar Salum is one of the best rooster weights (Peso Galo) in the history of Jiu Jitsu. The fighter from the Amazon state of Brazil was also considered to be one of the 5 top most technical fighters in the world by BJJ legend Royler Gracie
