BJJ Fighter Database

Francisco Iturralde, commonly known as “Sinistro” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Fernando “Soluço” Di Piero of the Alliance academy, being the first big name to come out of Ecuador in this sport. A 2x World Champion in the juvenile division, Sinistro was quick to make his mark in grappling, later cementing his status as the top talent in South America’s west coast with medals at the Pan American Championships, European Open and countless others.

Gordon Ryan is a New Jersey (USA) born grappler, known particularly in jiu jitsu’s no-gi and submission only circuit where he has beaten big names such as Gabriel Arges, Enrico Cocco and Nathan Orchard. A submission orientated competitor and one of the leading jiu jitsu figures of his generation, Gordon cemented his name as one of the top brown belts on the planet in 2015 by winning the Newaza Challenge and No-Gi World Championship, which led to his black belt promotion under Garry Tonon – this way becoming Tonon’s first ever student to achieve the rank.

Ricardo Velloso, commonly known as “Kiko” Velloso is a Brazilian jiu jitsu coral belt (7th degree), who earned his black belt rank from the late Carlson Gracie, being one of the historic members of Carlson’s powerful competition team during the 1980s and 1990s. Kiko was also one of the head instructors of the Carlson Gracie Academy headquarters in Rua Figueiredo Magalhães for 15 years, where he helped develop the games of hundreds of grapplers.

Francisco Pinto Sá, commonly known as “Sázinho” Francisco, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Master Francisco Sá, being often revered by the grappling community as one of Ceará state’s most important figures, due to his efforts in pushing for the development of this martial arts style in the northeastern region of Brazil. Sázinho is also known as one of the founders of the SAS team association, and for his coaching talent, having developed important grapplers such as Daniel Beleza, Marcus Aurélio, and countless others.

James Boran is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Joe Moreira, and a pioneering figure for this martial art in the United States, being among the first 12 grapplers outside Brazil to have earned a black belt in BJJ, a group often named as the Dirty Dozen. A former American football player, Boran carried his competitive drive to jiu jitsu, being highly decorated as a black belt, having won important tournaments such as the World Masters Championship, the Word No-Gi Championship as well as the Pan American Championship on numerous occasions.

Richie Martinez, also known as “Boogeyman” is a jiu jitsu black belt under Eddie Bravo and one of the top representatives of the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Academy in grappling’s competitive no-gi scene. An EBI and Onnit Invitational tournament runner-up, Richie is also the brother of another accomplished jiu jitsu competitor, Geo Martinez, the two being known as the “Freak Brothers” among the sport’s community.

Bruno Moreno, commonly known as Bruno “Alminha”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Jair Lourenço of the Kimura-Nova União academy. Regarded by many as one of the top roosterweights of his generation, “Alminha” remained in relative anonymity in jiu jitsu’s mainstream media, mainly due to his place of residence Rio Grande do Norte, a state located far from the sport’s limelight from which he earned important titles such as World Cup Champion (CBJJO), Brazilian National Champion (IBJJF) and European Open Champion (IBJJF).

Kristina Barlaan is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Caio Terra, who also trained extensively with Gustavo Dantas, being one of the main figures in the light-featherweight division of the sport. A reputation she earned through important wins such the IBJJF European Open and Pan American Championships.

Egan Inoue is a retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and a historic figure in the sport of Brazilian jiu jitsu, where he was the first non-Brazilian athlete to win a gold medal at the IBJJF/CBJJ World Jiu Jitsu Championships (1996/1997). A black belt under John Lewis, Inoue had a life filled with sporting achievements, being a world champion not only in jiu jitsu (2x), but also in racquetball (2x), MMA (5x under SuperBrawl promotion) while being also a world class spearfisher. Egan’s brother Enson Inoue is also a revered figure in both MMA and BJJ.

Régis Lebre is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Royler Gracie, regarded as one of the pioneers in the US East Coast through his work at Steve and DC Maxewell’s Maxwercise in Philadelphia. Not only a revered instructor, Lebre was also highly successful as a competitor, having earned a Pan American title, Masters & Senior title, and several Rio State championships.

Marcel Fortuna, also known as “Mãozinha”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Alexandre de Souza (Pop), and a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. Having conquered an IBJJF World title representing the Gracie Florianópolis team (2007), Fortuna would later join the famous Ralph Gracie’s academy in San Francisco – California (2009), with whom he started his MMA career, while still keeping active within the local grappling circuit.

Darson Hemmings is a Jamaican/Canadian black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu by Jorge Britto, being the first athlete of Caribbean origin to compete in the ADCC. Hemmings is also one of the most accomplished Canadian competitors of his generation with medals at tournaments such as the World No-Gi Championship, European Open and Pan American Championship.

Neiman Gracie is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie, being also the great grandson of Gracie jiu jitsu founder Carlos Gracie (10th degree), grandson to 9th degree red belt Robson Gracie as well as the son of the famous Master Márcio Stambowsky. Neiman earned his place in the sport by his own merit, earning numerous titles in Gi and No-Gi tournaments before his transition to mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2013, having fought for prestigious promotions such as Bellator and World Series of Fighting (WSOF).

Amal Easton is a veteran muay thai competitor and Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie, regarded as a pioneering figure for the South American grappling style in the United States. A decorated grappler with numerous titles to his name, Easton is also known as one of the top instructors in the country having developed high end grapplers and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters such as Shane Carwin, Elliott Marshall, Brendan Schaub, Nathan Marquardt and countless others.

Widely regarded as the second most important tournament in Brazilian jiu jitsu’s sporting calendar, the 2016 International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Pan American …

Patricia Fontes, commonly known as “Pati” Fontes, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Lucas Leite, being one of the most successful competitors of her generation. Having built her resume in the lower belt divisions of the sport, Pati earned the grappling community’s admiration after her 2015 run, when she won her first two IBJJF World titles, first one as a brown belt (gi), repeating the deed a few months later, at the No-Gi Worlds as a black belt, consolidating her rank.

Mackenzie has been training at the famour MMA Lab for a few months, a gym that has produced names such as Ben Henderson, having also introduced another high profile jiu jitsu champion Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes to MMA.

Pedro Gama, commonly known as Pedro “Gama Filho” is a historic figure for grappling based combat sports in Brazil, particularly for Brazilian jiu jitsu and judo. Among his greatest achievements were Pedro’s efforts towards placing jiu jitsu in the Physical Education curriculum of the Gama Filho University (UGF), his work in creating the “Reação” Institute, which allowed for thousands of underprivileged kids to access judo (many of which became international level athletes), his influence in the creation of teams such as GFTeam and Nova Geração, and above all his efforts in raising awareness for jiu jitsu and judo athletes in Brazil.

Yan Lucas, commonly known as “Pica-Pau” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Pirillo Roriz, and one of the top representatives of Gracie Barra – Ceará. “Pica-Pau” made a name for himself in the lower belt divisions of the sport, with wins at tournaments such as the IBJJF World Championship and the American Nationals, winning against big names of the sport such as Mahamed Aly, Isaac Doederlin, Hiago George and many others.

Marcel Gonçalves is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, recognized as the very first student of the prestigious grappling coach. Gonçalves is one of the top lightweights of his generation having medalled in important tournaments such as the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships, the IBJJF World Championships as well as the IBJJF Pan American and FIVE Grappling’s North American Invitational Championship.