James Puopolo is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Rafael Lovato Junior who trained extensively with the Ribeiro Brothers (Alexandre and Saulo) and is widely regarded as one of the top North American submission grapplers of his generation. While competing in jiu-jitsu’s international level circuit, Puopolo earned medals in important events such as the ADCC Trials, International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World and Pan Championships.
James Puopolo Jiu-Jitsu
Full Name: James Puopolo
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Carlos Machado > Rafael Lovato Jr > James Puopolo
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place ADCC USA Trials (2009/2011)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2013)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2015)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2016)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2018 / 2019)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2014 / 2015*)
- 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2019)
Main Achievements (Colored Belts):
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2009 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2011 brown, 2009 purple)
- 1st Place US Nationals (2010** brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals No-Gi (2008 purple)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2007 blue)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2011* brown)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2008 purple, 2010** brown)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2010, 2009 brown)
* Absolute
** Weight and absolute
Favorite Position/Technique: X-Guard, Butterfly Guard, Kneebar
Weight Division: Super Pesado (100kg/221lbs)
Team/Association: Gracie Humaita
James Puopolo Biography
James Puopolo started training Jiu-Jitsu in January 2005, shortly after he finished High School. James had played for his high school basketball team and wanted to pick up boxing, though his father influenced him to take Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instead after watching a few of the early UFC’s.
Training under Rafael Lovato Junior while maintaining a career as a math teacher, James Puopolo managed to become one of the top grapplers in the country. He also trained extensively with Ben Baxter and the Ribeiro brothers (Saulo and Xande), reaching his black belt status in October 2011 from Rafael Lovato Junior.
James Puopolo Grappling Record
-
BY POINTS
18 (30%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
0 (0%) -
BY SUBMISSION
40 (67%) -
BY DECISION
2 (3%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
0 (0%)
40 SUBMISSIONS WINS
- 16 (40%)Kneebar
- 6 (15%)Armbar
- 3 (8%)Cross choke
- 2 (5%)Guillotine
- 2 (5%)Choke from back
- 2 (5%)Mounted X choke
- 2 (5%)Triangle
- 1 (3%)Katagatame
- 1 (3%)Choke
- 1 (3%)RNC
- 1 (3%)Calf slicer
- 1 (3%)Armlock
- 1 (3%)Wristlock
- 1 (3%)Arm in guillotine
-
BY POINTS
22 (38%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
5 (9%) -
BY SUBMISSION
26 (45%) -
BY DECISION
5 (9%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY DQ
0 (0%)
26 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES
- 5 (19%)Armbar
- 3 (12%)Toe Hold
- 3 (12%)Choke from back
- 2 (8%)Footlock
- 2 (8%)RNC
- 1 (4%)Clock choke
- 1 (4%)Inside heel hook
- 1 (4%)Verbal tap
- 1 (4%)Ezekiel
- 1 (4%)Kneebar
- 1 (4%)Ankle lock
- 1 (4%)Triangle
- 1 (4%)Arm in guillotine
- 1 (4%)50/50 armbar
- 1 (4%)Botinha
- 1 (4%)Straight armlock
James Puopolo Fight History
James Puopolo vs Arman Barros
James Puopolo vs Ricardo Bufarra
James Puopolo vs Matt Owen