BJJ Fighter Database

Thiago Sá Fortes is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Ricardo Vieira, and a top level competitor in the IBJJF tournament circuit, representing the Checkmat academy.

Marcio Dos Santos is coral belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a leading figure of the sport during the 1980s decade, being directly involved in the development of Osvaldo Alves’ and Carlson Gracie’s teams, two of the most dominant academies in Jiu Jitsu during that era.

Fabio Caloi is a Jiu Jitsu world champion competitor and a black belt under Fabio Gurgel. Fabio, also known as ‘Fabinho’ Caloi, belongs to an elite generation of grapplers developed by the Alliance Academy, a generation that raised waves in the lower belts of the sport, continuing in great form through the black belt divisions.

Janni Larsson is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the illustrious instructor Shimon Mochizuki of the Arte Suave Academy (Checkmat affiliate) in Copenhagen, Denmark. A native of Sweden, Larsson is one of the most accomplished European black belts, and the first Swedish black belt world champion (2014).

Tammi Musumeci is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who became one of the top featherweights in the women’s divisions at the young age of 19. Tammi Musumeci turned a few heads her way after she won the Pan American Championship in 2014 in her first year as a black belt, beating two former world champions on her way to the top.

The first female to achieve the rank of black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was Yvone Duarte, a belt rank received in 1990. This incredible pioneer of the sport was one of the main forces behind the implementation of a female division in Jiu Jitsu competitions, being also the first female to start her own BJJ team.

Mario Claudio Tallarico was an important figure in 1970s Jiu Jitsu, being the 2nd black belt awarded by the late Rolls Gracie, a deed he achieved at 19 years of age. Tallarico is often mentioned as one of the top guard players produced by Rolls, having later influenced the development of great figures of the sport.

Eduardo Gonçalves, commonly known as ‘Edu’, is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the illustrious Francisco ‘Toco’ Albuquerque, and the main representative of the Nova Geração academy in the United Kingdom.

Sérgio Íris, commonly know in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community as ‘Serginho de Niterói’ was the first black belt awarded by the late Master Carlson Gracie. An important figure of the sport during the 1970s decade having defeated decorated fighters such as Rorion Gracie and Carley Gracie.

Gezary Matuda is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the legendary Ricardo Libório and a top competitor of her generation, known for having one of the most exciting styles of fighting in the women’s divisions, a style that earned her numerous titles, such as the pan american and world championships in the black belt category.

Totila Jordan, commonly known by his nickname ‘Pitoco’, is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the illustrious Renan Pitanguy, being also the co-founder of the Infight Academy. Master Pitoco was also one of the first coaches to develop Jiu Jitsu in the surfing hotspot of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro.

Leo D’avila is a Jiu Jitsu black belt under Benevenuto Antunes, having become an accomplished grappler with medals at the highest level of the sport, such as the US Nationals, Brazilian Nationals and the Pan American Championships. D’avila is also a coach at the world class Atos Academy in San Diego.

Monir Salomão was a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach and founder of the Academia Monir de Jiu-Jitsu in the Vista Alegre neighbourhood where he several high class black belts such as world champion Marcos Barreto and GF Team leader Julio César Pereira as well as Rafael Caldeira.

Fábio Andrade is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete as well as a highly regarded coach of Nova Uniao’s BJJ team and a prime figure in the revamping of the team within the sport in recent years, mentioned by Protocolo BJJ as having ‘the midas touch’ due to his consistency in bringing new talent through his social project academy in Bangu.

Robson Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu red belt (9th degree), son of the founder of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Carlos Gracie (Senior) who was an instructor of the ‘arte suave’ at the Gracie Academy during the 1950’s. Robson defended the Gracie family name in vale tudo (no holds barred) fights during the 1950’s, he is also the father of famous BJJ personalities such as Ryan, Ralph and Renzo Gracie.

One of the founders of Gracie Barra and Gracie Gym, Crolin Gracie is the son of Gracie Jiu Jitsu founder, Carlos Gracie (Senior). Crolin was revered as the successor to Rolls Gracie’s throne as the family’s champion in the 1970’s, though a health problem prevented him from following his older brother’s footsteps.

Master Geraldo Flôres is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu red belt (9th degree) from the Oswaldo Fadda lineage, and one of the main developers of Jiu Jitsu in the northern area of Rio de Janeiro. Flôres has also been involved in the development of BJJ figures such as Wendell Alexander, Sergio Bastos and Ignácio Santos Silva.

Eduardo Venâncio, also known in the Jiu Jitsu world as ‘Brigadeiro’, is a black belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the legendary Ricardo De La Riva (BJJ). Though Brigadeiro did not have the flashiest of careers as a competitor in BJJ, he did manage to establish himself as one of the top coaches in Rio de Janeiro creating strong competitors and over 50 black belts.

João Paulo Oliveira , also known as ‘Jones’, is the coordinator of the competition team of Strauch Jiu Jitsu academy. Considered the by many as Master Paulo Maurício Strauch’s ‘right hand man’, Jones became a regular competitor in the Rio de Janeiro BJJ circuit, having won many titles such as State Champion and America’s Cup Champion.

José Mario Queiroga, more commonly known in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community as Zé Mario Esfiha, is a BJJ 4th degree black belt under Roberto Traven, and a World, Pan American and Brazilian National medallist who is also known as one of the founders of the Brasa Jiu Jitsu academy.