Romulo Barral

Romulo Barral is a retired professional grappler as well as one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaches in the world. Tipped as “The Number 1 BJJ fighter in the world” by Gracie Mag in 2007, Romulo Barral maintained his top tier black belt status in the years that followed with consistent medals at the top jiu-jitsu tournaments. reaching BJJ Heroes’ Top 10 Competitors of All Time ranking. Originally from Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Romulo Barral established his own successful jiu-jitsu academy in California — United States, named Gracie Barra Northridge.

Romulo Barral Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Rômulo Claudio Barral

Nickname: Rominho. The suffix “inho” in Portuguese is used as an endearing way of saying someone’s name.

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Vinicius Magalhães > Romulo Barral

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2013)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2014/2013/2012/2009/2007)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Masters Championship (2016 Master 1)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2007**)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2016**)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2006/2007)
• 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2009)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2013)
• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2016/2014/2011/2010**/2009*/2007*)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2016/2009)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2017/2006)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2017/2013/2013*/2006)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Weight Category: Meio Pesado (88kg-194lbs)

Favorite Position/Technique: Spider Guard and Triangle

Team/Association: Gracie-Barra

Romulo Barral Biography

Romulo Barral was born on May 3, 1982, in Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais – Brazil.

Like many young boys, Romulo fell in love with martial arts through the movies, joining a taekwondo academy when he was 8 years old. Barral carried on training for many years, achieving a black belt in the striking based combat style, though he eventually stopped training by the time he was 19.

“Rominho” started training jiu-jitsu when he was 15 years old, at the Gracie Barra BH academy. His first coach there being Cristiano Lazzarini and Vinicius Magalhaes. Barral’s true intentions behind joining a grappling club were to learn enough to start fighting mixed martial arts (MMA), a wish that came through in 2004 when he was invited to fight at the Arena BH, a successful debut won by mata Leão choke (RNC).

A strong believer in the benefits of the gi game (kimono) for submission wrestling and MMA, he never stopped training with the Gi, even when preparing for this type of events, progressing through Gracie Barra’s belt system and earning his black belt on December 2005 from the hands of Vinicius “Draculino”.

As a black belt, Romulo quickly established himself as one of the top figures in the medium-heavyweight division of jiu-jitsu, through numerous victories at an international level. These victories that didn’t pass unnoticed by many MMA aces who invited Romulo do be their BJJ coach, fighters like Dan Henderson, King Mo, Jason “Mayhem” Miller among others had the privilege to train and be taught in the gentle art by Romulo.

Romulo Barral moved to the United States in the early 2010s where he taught at Alberto Crane’s school in the Los Angeles area. He then opened his own Gracie Barra academy in Northridge, California, a gym that became a hub for GB’s top talent.

Banner Picture by Ross Finlayson.