Marcus Almeida “Buchecha” is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Rodrigo Cavaca who is one of the stars in the super-heavyweight division of the sport. Before completing his twentieth birthday he was already being pointed out as the “next big thing” in BJJ, a claim he has confirmed with successive podium achievements in the black belt divisions.
Fabiana Borges is one of the top black belts in the women’s jiu jitsu divisions of the 2000 decade. The two time Pan American …
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”.
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.
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.
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.
Lucas Leite is a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt from the Checkmat Team. A World and Pan American Champion, this Leonardo Vieira black belt has been a regular presence in BJJ and Submission Grappling podiums around the world competing mainly has a middleweight. He has been living in the United States since 2007.
Michelle Nicolini is one of the elite fighters in womens jiu jitsu. A 3x Jiu Jitsu World Champion, European open weight champion and World Pro Cup Champion, Nicolini is also a black belt under ADCC 2007 absolute champion Robert Drysdale. Michele’s rampant competitive career has had its shiniest moments since she started training under Rodrigo Cavaca at his Santos academy.
Kron Gracie is the son of Brazilian jiu jitsu legend, Rickson Gracie and a top competitor in BJJ’s black belt division. A fierce competitor and world championships medalist, Kron Gracie made a name for himself in the grappling scene in the lower belts competition through an incredible run in some of the most important tournaments in the world where managed to establish a 51 straight submission win streak.
Rufino Gomes, also known as “Morcego”, was one of the most promising stars in the Jiu Jitsu panorama in 2010. A Brazilian National Nogi …
Igor Silva is one of the top players in the heavyweight black belt division. Feared for his dangerous closed guard Igor has won several important titles such as the Mundials (World Championship), the Brazilian Nationals and more recently the Rio Open.
Joao Assis is a top grappler from Checkmat. He also competes in MMA and coaches at Carlson Gracie’s gym in Temecula, California.
Ramon Lemos is the head jiu jitsu coach and co-founder of the famous Atos BJJ Team, having formed some of today’s top BJJ fighters, competitors such as Guilherme and Rafael Mendes, Gilbert Burns, Rodrigo Caporal amongst others. Ramon Lemos has also been involved with the grappling tuition of top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters such as UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Rodrigo “Minotauro”.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt from the creative Atos BJJ team. Caporal is also an up and comming Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter.
John Danaher is a New Zealand born BJJ black belt under Renzo Gracie who is considered one of the best grappling and MMA instructors in the World, having worked extensively with UFC welterweight champion, George Saint Pierre. Danaher gained notoriety as a jiu jitsu & MMA coach, though he also completed a Masters Degree in Philosophy.
abrielle Garcia, commonly referred to as Gabi Garcia, is a powerhouse competitor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s female division, having the vast majority of important tournaments before even receiving her black belt rank. The Gaúcha (person from a southern region of Brazil) has since reached the degree of black belt under the illustrious ‘General’ Fábio Gurgel.
Caio Terra is a world Jiu Jitsu champion who competes under the Gracie Elite Team/Gracie Fighter Team. The Brazilian black belt has had a controversial career in BJJ, having left his first team and coach in less then amicable terms but having managed an amazing and rampant rise to black belt. He has also been known for his constant battles with Jiu Jitsu’s refereeing and more recently being outspoken about steroid use in the sport.
He is a top competitor at “Pesadissimo” and absolute weight divisions today, the Checkmat jiu jitsu team representative from Santos in Brazil has had a tremendous career with wins through and through, while also having one of the best submission records in the division.