the Peso Pena division, also known as the feathers is one of the most exciting weight classes in jiu jitsu. This is a list of the top competitors in this weight class.
Louie Cercedez is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the famous Roy Harris (one of the first American BJJ black belts). With an extensive Martial Arts background, Cercedez also ventured into the early staged of Mixed Martial Arts, having fought on shows when MMA was still in its embryo stage against fighters such as Javier Vazquez and Yves Edwards.
One of the ADCC 2011 starlets, the American Justin Rader is an accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Rafael Lovato Jr and the Gracie Humaita team who has won important tournaments such as the World Nogi Championships, Grapplers Quest and the Pan American Jiu Jitsu championships.
Shane Rice was the first Canadian native to hold a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the legendary Rickson Gracie. With a vast …
Felipe Cavalcante is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the illustrious Fredson Alves (Gracie Humaita team), having also worked extensively with Marcus Aurelio …
Theodoro Canal is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach who was considered one of the world’s top competitors in the featherweight division. A black belt …
Cícero Costha is a respected Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach and former top competitor in the black belt featherweight division. Cicero Costha received the rank of black belt in BJJ training under the guidance of Marco Barbosa, having gone to create his own team under his name. A strong competitor of his own merit, Costha slowly gained his space and notoriety as an instructor from his gym in Ipiranga – State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, having brought to BJJ competitors such as Leandro Lo and the Miyao brothers.
Reinaldo Ribeiro is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Leonardo Castello Branco who is widely recognized as one of the top competitors of …
Zak Maxwell is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Regis Lebre, and one of the top representatives of the Gracie Humaita camp of his generation. Already …
One of the main American figures in Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Wrestling tournaments at the turn of the millennium, the Hawaiian Baret Yoshida is an …
Jonatas Gurgel, also known as “Tagarela” is one of the top Jiu Jitsu fighters in the famous American Top Team (ATT). With an amazing …
Master Marcelo Saporito is the head coach of one of the most iconic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies in the world, the “Academia Carlson Gracie” in Rua Figueiredo Magalhaes, Copacabana. He took the mammoth task of replacing the late Master Carlson Gracie at the helm of the gym, which he did to perfection with over 200 team titles to this date.
Fredson Paixao is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under master Osvaldo Alves. A former World BJJ Champion with numerous other important titles in the sport of Jiu Jitsu, Fredson Paixao was also famed for going from purple belt straight to black belt without stopping at brown belt. A natural athlete, Paixão picked up a career in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in the mid 2000’s. first fighting in local shows such as Jungle Fight, then moving to the WEC and later hitting the big stage – UFC.
Mario Reis is a top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor in the featherweight division. This fighter from the South of Brazil has won numerous competitions such as the World Championship, the World Cup and many other important tourneys. Reis is also famed for his aggressive style either playing guard or passing and is seen as one of the most entertaining fighters of the division.
An amazing grappler “Soca” has conquered numerous BJJ and submission wrestling competitions including the prestigious ADCC tournament (considered to be the elite grappling trophy), the Pan American BJJ Championship and the “Brasileiro”.
A BJJ Black belt under Felipe Costa, the American Ryan Hall is one of the most exciting fighters in the “Pena” division and the holder of an amazing guard.
A gifted grappler from Paragon BJJ. Jeff is famous for his deep half guard techniques and for having a very attractive fighting styles always going for submissions. He has also won important tournaments such as the Pan Ams, the No Gi World Championship and Grapplers Quest.
Renato Tavares is a representative of American Top Team in the US. Fighting since the 70’s Renato has been a top competitor for many years in different fighting sports such as BJJ (of course), submission wrestling and MMA while also being a top instructor.
a top fighter from Nova Uniao, Marcelino has trained with some of the best BJJ fighters of all time and is an extremely accomplished fighter himself with multiple gold medals at the Brazilian National Championships.
Royler Gracie was the first great champion in Jiu Jitsu, he set the record at the time for most consecutive World Championship victories and was the most successful Gracie representative of his generation in BJJ, Grappling and MMA.
Marco Barbosa, kindly nicknamed “Barbosinha” or “Barba” by the fans and friends in the Jiu Jitsu community, is a Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who is regarded as one of the best instructors in BJJ. His academy in Sao Paulo, Barbosa Jiu Jitsu, is a top of the line grappling, Jiu Jitsu & MMA facility from where Marco Barbosa has produced several high level competitors.