One of the biggest talents in the lightweight division (leve) today, JT Torres had been winning tournaments in the lower belts divisions long before he made it to the big scene. A strong competitor in both the Gi and the Nogi tournaments “The Spiderman” has been hinted by many BJJ experts to be the next “big thing”.
Carlos Vieira Holanda, also known as “Esquisito” is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Master Faustino Neto, and another important fighter to come out of the BJJ hive that is Manaus in Brazil, the birth place of several important fighters such as Ronaldo Souza, Ary Farias, Saulo Ribeiro and many others. In 2010 “Esquisito” (who fights for the Checkmat Academy) was crowned Pan American champion, defeating Caio Terra to reach his gold medal.
Mauro Chueng is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the legendary Sérgio Bolão and one of the top instructors teaching in the southern …
Anthony Scales, most commonly referred to as AJ Scales is a Canadian BJJ black belt under Wagnney Fabiano, and a Nova Uniao team Canada …
The 1997 pluma BJJ black belt World Champion, Joao Roque went on to have a fruitful MMA professional career, fighting in shows such as the Shooto Japan, UFC, Deep and VTJ. Roque is also one of the first African native BJJ black belts in the world.
Happy announcement to all United Kingdom readers: The prestigious CBJJ referee Muzio de Angelis (4 Grau black belt and Director of the refereeing department …
Master Marcelo Saporito is the head coach of one of the most iconic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies in the world, the “Academia Carlson Gracie” in Rua Figueiredo Magalhaes, Copacabana. He took the mammoth task of replacing the late Master Carlson Gracie at the helm of the gym, which he did to perfection with over 200 team titles to this date.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion (2010), European Champion (2009) and Brazilian National Champion (2009) in the black belt division, Pablo Silva from Gracie Barra has been one of the top contenders of the Pluma and Galo weight divisions, with one of the most dangerous guards in BJJ today.
A historical figure at the turn of the century for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Castello-Branco fought some of the best fighters of his generation. He is also one of the main figures of the Alliance BJJ team and one of the founding members of Brasa.
Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano is a historical figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, having won important trophies such as the Brazilian National. He was a revolutionary of the open guard having created several techniques from that position. He was also one of the first members of Gracie Barra to travel to the United States.
Cesar Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Robson Gracie and one of the World’s most famous MMA coaches, having produced fighters such as Nick and Nate Diaz, Jake Shields, Gilbert Melendez and many others.
A very talented black belt under Carlinhos Gracie, this Gracie Barra powerhouse has been a menace in the heavier jiu jitsu weight divisions for a few years with wins against some of the best fighters in the world. He has been living in Albuquerque for the last few years, though this hasn’t stopped his rampant success.
One of the founding members of the Soul Fighters Team, Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa has also been an important figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s lightweight division for many years having medalled in important tournaments such as the Brazilian Nationals, the Pan Americans and even the famous Mundial where he obtained three bronze medals.
One of the world’s premiere grapplers, this BJJ black belt and Submission Wrestling expert from Rio de Janeiro has been based in the United States since the mid 1990’s where he has evolved into one of the most famous and accomplished Nogi fighters of today, as the wins at the ADCC (2009) and Nogi World Championships (2010, 2007) would certify.
A young competitor from the Alliance team, this Brazilian National champion has been one of the main forces of the Super Pesado and Pesadissimo weight divisions since he received his black belt in 2008. Today he is considered one of the best fighters out of a star studded Alliance camp in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Adriano Silva is one of the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitors of his generation who fought most of his career for the “Equipe Barbosa” …
A historical figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Leticia Ribeiro has collected medals in world grappling events for years on end, being considered one of the top 10 best female fighters of all time having been distinguished with a mention in the IBJJF Hall of Fame. Leticia Ribeiro is also the leader of one of the best female BJJ teams, the Gracie Humaitá, an organization teeming with talent, such as Penny Thomas, Bia Mesquita, Mackenzie Dern amongst many others.
He is the son of Gracie Barra founder Carlinhos Gracie and member of the famous Gracie family. Kayron is also one of the brightest stars in Jiu Jitsu’s middleweight division, with many important wins at black belt level, since obtaining his black belt in 2009.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller, and one of the best fighters in the Light and middleweight divisions, Bill The Grill Cooper fights out of the Paragon BJJ Team where he has specialized in BJJ. Get to know this amazing scrambler here.
The founder of Rio Jiu Jitsu Club and one of Master Carlson Gracie’s best students, Sergio “Bolao” was one of the best fighters of Jiu Jitsu in the 1980’s with wins over Jean Jacques Machado, Fabio Gurgel, Castello Branco and many others.
