Rômulo Azevedo

Rômulo Azevedo, commonly known as Romulo “Caju” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Welton Ribeiro. One of the top medium-heavyweight grappling competitors of his generation – a reputation earned through his many medals in some of the sport’s top tournaments (Brazilian Nationals [gi and no-gi], Pan American and South American Championships, etc), Rômulo is also known as the cousin of jiu jitsu legend Victor “Shaolin” Ribeiro.

Rômulo Azevedo Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Rômulo de Souza Azevedo

Nickname: Rômulo is known as Caju, which stands for “cashew nut” in Portuguese. The name started as a joke between Azevedo’s friends when he was around 14 to 15 years old during carnival season. Rômulo tried to dress up and dye his hair, but the look when completely wrong and he ended up shaving his hair last minute without the aid of a mirror. His head was lumpy and odd shaped so his friends made a reference to a cashew nut. The name picked up from there.

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Amélio Arruda > Welton Ribeiro > Rômulo Azevedo

Main Achievements:

• IBJJF Pan No-Gi Champion (2018)
• IBJJF Boston International Open Champion (2016/2015)
• IBJJF Belo Horizonte International Open No Gi Champion (2016)
• IBJJF New York Open International Champion (2016)
• IBJJF Chicago International Open Champion (2015)
• FJJ-Rio Rio de Janeiro State Champion (2015/2013)
• IBJJF New York International Open No-Gi Champion (2015)
• IBJJF Long Beach International Open Champion (2014)
• CBJJO South American Champion (2013)
• IBJJF World Championship 2nd Place (2005 blue)
• CBJJ Brazilian National Championship 2nd Place (2012)
• IBJJF Pan American No-Gi Championship 2nd Place (2016)
• UAEJJF NYC International Pro 2nd Place (2016)
• IBJJF Rio Winter Open 2nd Place (2015)
• IBJJF São Paulo Open 2nd Place (2013)
• CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Championship 2nd Place (2015*)
• IBJJF Floripa International No-Gi Open 2nd Place (2015*)
• UAEJJF World Pro Trials 3rd Place (2011)
• CBJJ Brazilian Championship 3rd Place (2010)
• IBJJF South American Championship 3rd Place (2016)
• IBJJF Pan American No-Gi Championship 3rd Place (2014)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Champion (2009 brown)
• IBJJF World Championship 2nd Place (2005 blue)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Favorite Position/Technique: n/a

Weight Division: Peso Meio-Pesado (88,30 kg / 195.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Welton Ribeiro

Rômulo “Caju” Azevedo Biography

Rômulo Azevedo was born on June 11, 1987 in Niterói, a municipality of the state of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil.

Although Rômulo was drawn to fighting from early in his life, he didn’t show any particular interest in training combat sports as a child – exception made to a brief spell in judo at the age of 8. His curiosity for this sporting avenue only grew during his mid teens (14) by influence of his cousin Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro, who’s huge success in jiu jitsu opened Caju’s eyes to grappling.

It was his brother who introduced Caju to jiu jitsu by bringing him to Welton Ribeiro’s academy in Niterói. Ribeiro would stand by Rômulo’s side throughout his career – from white to black belt, a promotion that took place in 2009 when Azevedo was 22 years old.

While climbing the ranks of jiu jitsu’s sporting circuit, Rômulo started gaining an interest in mixed martial arts (MMA), making his pro debut in 2011. Although he had a promising start in MMA, Azevedo decided to put his 4 ounce gloves to rest by the end of 2012, choosing to focus on improving his jiu jitsu.

Understanding the need to be close to the most competitive jiu jitsu circuit in order to progress in the sport, in 2013 Caju started spending more time in the United States of America at his cousin “Shaolin” academy in New York.

Cover photo by FlashSport.

Rômulo Azevedo vs Steven Patterson

Rômulo Azevedo vs Daniel Moraes