Jiu Jitsu Rooster Weight Division, the famous Galo weight division is the lighter of the weight classes in BJJ. This is a list of the top competitors in this weight class.
Vinícius Cruz, is a historic figure in Brazilian jiu jitsu, having medalled on multiple occasions in important tournaments such as the Copa Company, the World Championship, the Pan American Championship and many others. A former member of the Carlson Gracie Academy, Vinícius Cruz is often associated with the “loop choke”, a technique he perfected during the 1990’s applying it often in competition.
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.
Gabrielzinho Moraes is a historical figure in BJJ having won the world jiu jitsu championship in the blue belt division in 2003 and in the black belt division in 2004, being the only competitor ever to have won the world championship in blue and black belt consecutively.
Brandon Mullins, is one of the most accomplished American born BJJ black belts, being the second American to win two world titles in the adult black belt division of the sport. Brandon Mullins made a name for himself as one of the top jiu jitsu competitors in the rooster weight division after he won his first Pan American title in 2009 (no gi). He has since become one of the most successful American born BJJ black belts in the world through his recurring success at the world no gi championships.
Igor Rodrigues, also known as “Baixinho”, is a jiu jitsu lack belt under Marcos Chuck who trains and competes for the Checkmat academy in Rio de Janeiro. Originally from the region of Buzios, Igor became a Capoeira master before turning to BJJ. His biggest achievements to this date in grappling have been his titles at the Brazilian nationals.
Koji Shibamoto is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo black belt who is regarded as one of the top grapplers in jiu jitsu’s rooster weight division. A former competitor for the Tokai University judo team, who also represented Japan at international judo tournaments, Koji Shibamoto turned his focus to BJJ in the mid 2000’s where, under the instruction of Mitsuyoshi Hayakawa, he became one of the most acknowledged Japanese fighters of his generation.
Ivaniel Oliveira is one of the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts of his generation in the rooster weight division. A pupil of the renowned Cristiano Carioca, Ivaniel has won important tournaments such as the World Cup (WLPJJ & CBJJO) and the Rio International Open (CBJJ), though his difficulty in getting a visa for the USA prevented him to compete at the highest level (the Mundial) for a long period of time.
Marcus Norat is a former Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt World Champion (2002) and a representative of the illustrious Gracie Humaita in the early 2000’s. The man from Belem do Pará, Brazil also became the founder of Norfight, a successful academy in the region, while serving several mandates as the president of Parana’s Jiu Jitsu Federation.
Marcos Barreto made history as the very first world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion in the “Galo” weight division, back in 1996. A black belt …
Yusuke Honma is a Japanese practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, being a black belt under Yuki Nakai from the prestigious Paraestra academy, one of …
Daniel Otero is an accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Fabricio Martins (6th degree black belt), having won several important trophies such as the “Brasileiro” and the World Championship. Otero has also ventured successfully into the world of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) where he competed in prestigious shows such as Max Fights and Shooto.
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
José Aldo, or simply Junior as he is called by his Nova Uniao peers, is a famous mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Manáus …
Josef Manuel Junior, mostly known by his “war name” of “Zé Cobra”, is a martial artist with over 20 years experience in the fight game. He is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under one of the legends in the sport, the honourable Robson Moura.
A BJJ black belt from the famous Kimura-Nova Uniao, Kiki is a former BJJ World Champion and also a Brazilian National Wrestling Champion with a successful MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) career.
Caio Terra is a world Jiu Jitsu champion who competes under the Gracie Elite Team/Gracie Fighter Team. The Brazilian black belt has had a controversial career in BJJ, having left his first team and coach in less then amicable terms but having managed an amazing and rampant rise to black belt. He has also been known for his constant battles with Jiu Jitsu’s refereeing and more recently being outspoken about steroid use in the sport.
Felipe Costa is a BJJ World Champion and one of the top roosterweights in Jiu Jitsu, he became a sensation in the Jiu Jitsu realm after achieving his first gold medal at the World Championships, Felipe had never won a medal at a major competition before that date, which made him the first competitor ever to win the most coveted of medals at the black belt division without having previously established a name for himself.
Bruno Malfacine is a former Gama Filho Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter, now fighting from Alliance. A 6x World Champion in the black belt division with an amazing Jiu Jitsu style