A Coral Belt is a 7th degree belt, awarded to Jiu Jitsu masters who have been active black belts for over 30 years. This incredible honor is celebrated with it’s own belt and on this section of our website we honor those who achieved it. Here you will read about some of the figures of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu who rank in this category, a privilege not owned by many. Find more about their journey in Jiu Jitsu through these detailed articles.
Cosmo Dias is a jiu jitsu coral belt (7th degree) and one of the most charismatic figures in this sport/martial art. Dias started competing during his late teens and continued being an avid competitor well into his 50’s. Challenging himself in a number of sports, while being a strong advocate for the Krishna mantra, a doctrine based on non-violence.
Paulo Caruso is a judo black belt and a former student of Osvaldo Alves in Brazilian jiu jitsu, from whom he earned the rank of coral belt. Widely regarded as one of the top athletes in the sport during the 1980’s, Caruso is also known for his work as a coach, developing the ground games of Olympic judo athletes such as Flávio Canto (who earned his jiu jitsu black belt under Master Paulo) and Rafaela Silva.
Carlos Rollyson is a Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) coral belt (7th degree) who earned his black belt from Master Carlson Gracie, having also a black belt in judo, which he achieved while training under Takise Ueda. After the passing of his BJJ mentor, Rollyson decided to leave the Carlson Gracie Academy, joining the multiple time world champion team, Alliance Jiu Jitsu. Carlos Rollyson is also one of the most high ranked jiu jitsu figures in South Florida.
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.
Marcio Dos Santos is coral belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a leading figure of the sport during the 1980s decade, being directly involved in the development of Osvaldo Alves’ and Carlson Gracie’s teams, two of the most dominant academies in Jiu Jitsu during that era.
One of the founders of Gracie Barra and Gracie Gym, Crolin Gracie is the son of Gracie Jiu Jitsu founder, Carlos Gracie (Senior). Crolin was revered as the successor to Rolls Gracie’s throne as the family’s champion in the 1970’s, though a health problem prevented him from following his older brother’s footsteps.
Roberto Lage is 6th dan in Judo and a 7th degree coral belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, being an important figure for Sao Paulo’s Jiu Jitsu landscape. Roberto Lage trained extensively with Otavio de Almeida (senior) becoming a BJJ instructor himself having formed the “Equipe Lage” academy.
Carlos Elias, commonly known as “Caique”, is one of only 8 non Gracie men to have received the degree of black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by the late Great Master Helio Gracie. A former member of the Gracie Academy, Carlos Henrique “Caique” reached the degree of coral belt (red and black) in 2009 from Rickson Gracie, he is also one of the first men to bring BJJ to Southern California, where he has been located since the 1990’s.
José Leão Teixeira or “Zé Beleza”, as he is often named within the BJJ community, is one of the founding members of the Gracie Barra academy and an important figure in jiu jitsu’s history. A former member of the epic grappling team built by Rolls Gracie, José Leão Teixeira founded the Leão Teixeira Jiu Jitsu School, one of the top kids BJJ academies in Brazil. Jose Teixeira was also involved in creation of CBJJ/IBJJF.
Fabio Santos is a 7th degree (7º grau) jiu jitsu coral belt and a black belt under Rickson Gracie who was also a pupil of the legendary Rolls Gracie for many years. Fabio Santos was also one of the first BJJ black belts to come to the United States of America to settle a jiu jitsu academy. The Fabio Santos Academy in San Diego – California is one of the most respected BJJ academies in the world, having formed several high class BJJ black belts. Master Fabio Santos is also a veteran competitor with several important titles.
One of the best jiu jitsu competitors of the 1980’s & 1990s, Crezio de Souza competed for the Carlson Gracie Team in BJJ and MMA he was also part of Brazil’s wrestling team for the Havana Pan American Games (1991) and qualified for the Olympics in Barcelona (1992). A true legend of the sport, the man from Petropolis also medalled in the Brazilian BJJ nationals in 2002 at the age of 40, being the first man to do so in the adult division.
With affiliated academies all around the world, Equipe Fabricio has become one of the most well represented teams in BJJ today. The team’s leader, Fabricio Martins is a black belt from the Osvaldo Alves academy in Rio de Janeiro, Martins has managed to produce very strong talent and is highly requested for seminars around the world due to his coaching prowess.
Rigan Machado is a legendary BJJ figure and one of the most feared Jiu Jitsu competitors of the 1980’s. Rigan was the first black belt of Carlos Gracie Junior and the founder of Machado Jiu Jitsu, one of the most prosperous grappling academies in the USA.
Sylvio Behring is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 8th degree Coral Belt and a Judo black belt who is regarded as one of the top grappling instructors in the world, having helped develop the games of fighters such as Fabricio Werdum, Anderson Silva, Marcio Corleta and many others. Sylvio Behring is Flavio Behring’s older son and Marcelo Behring’s brother.
Considered by many as the best guard in the Gracie family, Rilion Gracie was tremendously influenced by his brothers Rolls and Crolin. Rilion also taught the Gracie Jiu Jitsu style half way around the world having opened schools in Europe, North and South America. Today Rilion is still sought out by several big names in the sport for technical advice.
Rolker Gracie is an important figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, being the 4th son of Helio Gracie and one of the main figures within the Gracie Humaitá organization, arguably the most historical of BJJ academies, from where he has influenced the technical growth of many world champions.
Jurandir Moura is a historical figure in the Jiu Jitsu and Vale Tudo (no holds barred) history of Brazil. Having passed away on January 2010, Jurandir Moura was an 8th Degree Instructor (Coral Belt) and the man responsible for the tuition of several important fighters in the 1950’s and 1960’s era.
Ricardo Cavalcanti is one of the most successful BJJ instructors to have moved to the United States from his native Brazil. A true old school black belt, having earned his stripes under Carlson Gracie, Ricardo today coaches at his academies – Team Cavalcanti – spread out through the Nevada territory.
Maurício Gomes was a famous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor, active during the 1970’s and 1980’s, who belongs to the elite group of black belts given the rank by the late Rolls Gracie. On top of his long list of trophies in the sport, Maurício was the founder of the Gracie Barra franchise in the United Kingdom.
Pedro Sauer isan 8th degree Brazilian jiu jitsu coral belt and a former student of the legendary Rickson Gracie. Pedro Sauer is revered as one of the …