Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fighter Wiki, All their history from their favorite techniques to the meaning behind their Portuguese nicknames as well as fight videos and techniques. Learn more about your favorite Jiu Jitsu figures on this section.
Shane Hill-Taylor is one of the top jiu jitsu athletes of his generation, and a product of Team Lloyd Irvin Academy’s kids program. One of the top American competitors in the grappling scene, Shane Jamil Hill-Taylor made a name for himself in the lower belt divisions of the sport by conquering numerous important championships, including an IBJJF World title in 2016 as a brown belt, which also earned him his black belt from the hands of Lloyd Irvin.
Nathiely Karoline de Jesus is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Cícero Costha, being also one of the top grappling competitors of her generation, a reputation earned during Nathiely’s purple and brown belt campaigns when she earned 5 World titles, 1 Abu Dhabi World Pro, 1 Pan American and 3 Brazilian National titles for the PSLPB academy.
Ana Carolina Vieira, commonly known as “Baby” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Master Julio Cesar Pereira, being also one of the top athletes in the female middleweight division of the sport. A leading figure in GF Team’s incredible competition team (a group for whom she has won numerous World and Brazilian National titles), Ana Carolina is also the younger sister of another jiu jitsu star in Rodolfo Vieira.
Vinicius Canevari, commonly known as Vinicius “Magoo”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Eduardo “Brigadeiro” and one of the pioneers of this martial art in the state of Paraná. A Brazilian National and South American champion, Magoo started his work in Londrina – PR during the mid 1990’s, developing one of the strongest teams in the south of Brazil: Magoo Jiu Jitsu.
John Combs is an American born Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under the illustrious Amal Easton, being one of the top athletes produced by the Easton Training Centre in Colorado. A former collegiate wrestler, Combs started making an impact in jiu jitsu as a purple belt by conquering medals in important tournaments such as the IBJJF World and Pan American Championships. A standard he maintained as he progressed through the ranks of the sport.
Jared Weiner is an American born jiu jitsu black belt, and one of the strongest competitors the sport/martial art produced in the United States East Coast during the 2000’s decade. A former student of Steve Maxwell and Lloyd Irvin, Weiner’s reputation as an instructor has matched his tournament prowess, being the founder of important teams such as BJJ United and the Tac Team Association from which he produced numerous champions.
Daniel Alvarez Jr, commonly known as Danny Alvarez is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, and a representative of both Alvarez BJJ and the Bruno Bastos Association. A devoted competitor in the sport’s Masters competitive circuit, Danny Alvarez is also one of the most prolific instructors in Texas, having produced IBJJF Pan American, European and World champions, one being his daughter Danielle Alvarez, who has also established herself as one of the most talented grapplers of her generation.
Fernando Reis is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Fábio Gurgel, and a former student of Tiago Rocha, as well as one of Alliance Academy’s top representatives in the super-heavyweight division. Fernando made a name for himself in the lower belt divisions of the sport with medals in all of IBJJF’s top tournaments, including the World Championship, Pan American Championship and Brazilian Nationals.
Max Gimenis is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Master Júlio César Pereira, being also one of GF Team’s top representatives in the super heavyweight division of the sport’s international circuit. A product of GFT’s incredible grappling program, Gimenis embodied the famous academy’s curriculum to perfection, by making pressure passing his strongest weapon. A style which he used to win important titles including at the World, Pan American and Brazilian National championships.
José Carlos Lima, also known as “Cocó” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Master Júlio César Pereira, being also one of the top rooster weights of his generation in this sport. José Carlos Lima built his career in the lower belt divisions of jiu jitsu by conquering important titles such as the IBJJF World Championship and the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro.
Cassio Francis, commonly known as “Cassão” is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Vinícius “Draculino” Magalhães, being one of the strongest heavyweight competitors produced by the famous Gracie Barra instructor. Francis is also a great example of a persevering mind: In 2011 Francis was told he would never be able to compete again due to a spinal injury. Overcoming the odds, Cassio returned to the sport two years later as strong as ever, regaining his spot as a contender in the heavyweight division.
Adilson Lima, commonly known as Adilson “Bitta” is a historic Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlos Rollyson and Carlos Gracie Junior. A historic figure in this martial art through his many competitive jiu jitsu achievements and his no-holds-barred (NHB/MMA) career, Master Bitta is also known for his work as a grappling coach, having developed well known black belts such as Delson Heleno, Dyego Turl, Vitor Oliveira and numerous others from his academy Clube de Jiu Jitsu Pitbull.
Fernanda Mazzelli is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Thiago de Oliveira being also one of the top figures in the sport’s medium heavy and heavyweight female divisions. A representative of the Striker Jiu Jitsu Academy, Mazzelli made a name for herself in the lower belt divisions by conquering 6 Brazilian national titles, going on to accomplish a stellar career as a black belt. Fernanda’s many talents went beyond the mats, particularly on to politics where Mazzelli was elected as a councilwoman for Guarapari’s town hall.
Tayane Porfirio is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Alexandre Paiva, being one of the main representatives of the Alliance Academy’s female team. Porfirio broke out into the international grappling scene in 2015 by winning the IBJJF Grand Slam (World, Pan American, European Open and Brazilian Nationals) in both her weight and the absolute division as a purple belt.
Rodrigo Feijão is a jiu jitsu black belt under Dedé Pederneiras, being also one of the main figures behind Nova União’s lightweight dream-team during the 2000’s decade. Feijão later became one of the top grappling coaches in Brazil by developing numerous talented athletes through his academy in the small municipality of Maringá, including Alex Sodré, Anderson Muniz and Daniel Dias.
Juarez Soares is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Marcos Siqueira, being the founder of the Araruama Jiu Jitsu Academy and the DDR Jiu Jitsu team, one of the most respected grappling squads in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Juarez Soares is also a respected jiu jitsu referee, having worked with important federations such as the FJJ-Rio, the CBJJ and the IBJJF.
Carlos Terrinha is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Vinícius “Draculino” Magalhães and an accomplished competitor with numerous medals at important tournaments such as the European Open, the Pan American Championship and the International Masters & Seniors. Terrinha is also known for his work as an IBJJF referee, being one of the most revered judges in the sport.
Ryan Gracie was a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Junior, and one of the main representatives of the Gracie family in both sport jiu jitsu and no-holds-barred/mixed martial arts during the 1990s and 2000s decades, having also been an important catalyst in the expansion of jiu jitsu in to the São Paulo region of Brazil, where he developed a highly successful team. One of the most bipolar figures in jiu jitsu’s history, Ryan was known as much for his fights on the ring as he was for his street altercations and run-ins with the law, which ultimately led to his death on December 2007.
Miguel Ángel Alderete is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Eduardo “Dudu” Duarte and a representative of the Nova União academy in the sport’s heavyweight division. Alderete also the first Argentinian athlete to ever medal at the Brazilian National Championship (Brasileiro CBJJ) in the adult black belt division.
Deborah Gracie Stambowsky is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Márcio Stambowsky, being one of only two women in the Gracie family to have reached the rank of black belt (the other being Kyra Gracie). Deborah Gracie Stambowsky is also known for her work towards the development of jiu jitsu in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she has formed a successful a team of female competitors through the country’s school program.