Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News

Everdan Olegário, commonly known as “Mestre Dan” (Master Dan), is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt who trained under the illustrious Fernando Tererê, being also one of the leading figures in the grappling world. From his Cohab Jiu Jitsu, a small academy located inside the social housing community of COHAB in Itaquera – Sao Paulo, Master Dan has produced numerous high level jiu jitsu competitors, including Sérgio Moraes, Guilherme Augusto, Dimitrius Souza, Paulo Baraúna, and to name a few.

This article is dedicated to the first 12 women outside of Brazil to reach the grade of black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Dates and achievements of these amazing grappling pioneers, as well as short bios.

Bruno Paulista, also known as Bruno “Mamute”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Alexandre de Souza and a World and Pan American No-Gi Champion, who on April 2010 suffered a severe and life changing car accident in which Paulista lost many of his basic motor capabilities, such as walking down stairs or chewing. After 4 surgeries and many years of recovery, on March 2015 Bruno Mamute returned to competition at the IBJJF Pan American Championships.

José Tiago Barros is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Cicero Costha, and one of the top light featherweight competitors of his generation, having earned podium spots in the top grappling tournaments, including the Brazilian Nationals, European Open and World Championships. A guard passer by nature (an unusual trait in his weight class), Barros was one of the leading figures to leave the Projecto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (PSLPB) team on October 2015, to join the Jiu Jitsu New School Brotherhood academy.

Paulo Guillobel is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt (5th degree) under Jorge Pereira, being also one of the most highly regarded figures in the community, as an instructor, a competitor and ambassador of this grappling style. Having started his training in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil (1988), Guillobel moved to the US in 2000 where he established his own academy in San Clemente – California, a gym affiliated to the Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu Association.

Cynthia Omatsu, commonly known as Cindy Omatsu, is a Japanese-American black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under Rigan Machado and Leka Vieira, being best known as the first female grappler outside of Brazil to have achieved the rank of black belt in this martial art (2002). Omatsu also gained notoriety in the jiu jitsu circuit as an interviewer for Grapple TV during the early/mid 2000’s, co-hosting the online show with a fellow teammate Felicia Oh.

On this article, we will go through a Top 10 of the biggest upsets in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Matches that left fans scratching their heads, while reshaping our perception of the top contenders and our understanding of the sport.

Rikako Yuasa, also known as “Lady Sasa”, is a Japanese born, Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under the prestigious Yukinori Sasa, being also one of the most accomplished female competitors of her generation. Competing in the light featherweight division (53.5kg/118lbs) for the Paraestra (Shinagawa) academy, Yuasa won important titles, such as the World Championship, Asian Open as well as European Open.

Wellington Luís, commonly known as Wellington “Alemão”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Cicero Costha, and member of the Jiu Jitsu New School Brotherhood Team, an academy that spawned from the Projecto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (PSLPB) camp on October 2015. Alemão made a career competing in the lower belt divisions of the sport, where he became known as one of the best lightweight prospects of his generation.

Stephen Maxwell, commonly known as Steve Maxwell, is a fitness coach, physical educator, as well as the first American born Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Relson Gracie. Known as one of the pioneers of the gentle art in the East Coast of the United States, Maxwell ran the first certified Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy in the region, while also developing the first Brazilian jiu jitsu tournaments in the Coast.

AJ Sousa is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Pablo Popovitch, who became known to jiu jitsu’s mainstream audience after participating in Lloyd Irvin’s Kumite, a web series/tournament designed to find who the best brown belt in the sport was, back in 2013. Since then AJ Sousa has cemented his status as one of the top competitors in the world, with wins at the Miami, Las Vegas and Boca Raton IBJJF Opens, as well as a fantastic performance at the 2015 edition of the Abu Dhabi World Pro.

The 9th edition of the No Gi Pan American Championship took place on the 3rd of October, 2015 at the Nat Holman Gym (CCNY) in New York City, New York. One of IBJJF’s main tournaments of the year. Find out the results here.

On this article we will go through the male black belt divisions of the 2015 IBJJF No-Gi Pan American Jiu Jitsu Championship, and make our predictions on who the winners will be

Explaining the proposal and vision of UAEJJF (United Arab Emirates Jiu Jitsu Federation) for the sport of Brazilian jiu jitsu. Their new National Pro series as well as Grand Slam, all part of the Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Tour.

Gustavo Pires, commonly known as “Siri”, is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Junior, and one of the top Gracie Barra competitors in the sport’s super-heavyweight division with medals at the Pan American, No Gi World, World Masters and Brazilian National Championships. Founder of the Gracie Barra Fullerton academy, Gustavo Siri is also known for his coaching abilities, having been crucial in the development of important grapplers such as André Campos and Bruno Rocha.

A run down through the evolution of Brazilian jiu jitsu’s uniform, also known as gi or kimono. From it’s design to the popular patches and styling trends we see on the mats today.

Isaque Paiva is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Massao and Daniel Shinkai, representing the Saikoo Jiu Jitsu Academy. Paiva is widely regarded as one of the top grappling featherweights of his generation, and one of the few competitors to have remained in his original regional academy, while competing at the highest level in the sport. A South American, Brazilian National, Asian Open, Rio Open and Sao Paulo Open champion, Isaque is know for his submission wins over big names such as Bruno Frazatto and Fabio Caloi.

One of the most accomplished female Brazilian jiu jitsu competitors to have ever entered a mat, Gabi Garcia is now set to make her mixed martial arts (MMA) début. More information inside.

Marcos de Oliveira, also known as “Santa Cruz”, is a former judo and wrestling competitor, having achieved Brazilian national squad honors in both sports. Oliveira is also a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under the illustrious Ricardo Libório, having conquered important titles such as the Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu World Pro and Brazilian National Champion. Among Marcos de Oliveira’s long list of achievements, he is also known as the founder and leader of the Abu Dhabi Top Team, an academy with strong ties to the American Top Team and GFTeam.

It seems as though the famed 4x jiu jitsu black belt world champion, Leandro Lo is about to leave the academy that brought him to the spotlight of jiu jitsu. More information inside.