the Peso Pesado division (heavyweights): This is a comprehensive list of the top players in this division (past and present).
Many sportsmen dream of one day becoming a legend in their sport, Murilo Bustamante achieved this status in two of the most demanding sports in the world, jiu jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). At one point Murilo was one of the stars of the famous Carlson Gracie team, arguably the best BJJ team of all time. He then moved on to Mixed Martial Arts and formed one of the stronguest MMA teams the world had ever seen, BTT (Brazilian Top Team), a team he leads to this date.
One of the best Jiu Jitsu instructors in the world, the black belt graduated by Waldomiro Perez is the founder of one of the strongest teams in Sao Paulo, Brazil – The Macaco/Godoi (today Godoi Jiu JItsu).
He made history in BJJ by being the first American to win the Brasileiro in the black belt division. He is also a World Champion and one of the toughest competitors in his division today.
Eduardo Telles is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Fabio Gurgel and one of the most criative grapplers in the World. Famed for being a fan of the “Esquijitsu” (a nickname applied to his game which translates to: weird Jiu Jitsu) he created several attacks from the turtle position, a position that was deemed a weaker position by most grapplers before Telles created the turtle guard, revolutionizing what once was defensive ‘go-to’ move.
a historical Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, this 2x World Absolute World Champion has been a force to be reckoned with for over 10 years in the Black belt Divisions. Today he is one of the best BJJ coaches in the business for both sport Jiu Jitsu and grappling for MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in the USA.
Bernardo Faria is a World Jiu Jitsu champion from the Alliance Jiu Jitsu academywho holds an extensive competitive resume with titles at the world’ top tournaments such as the European Open, Pan American and Brazilian Champion. Bernardo Faria is a black belt under Ricardo Marques who moved to the Alliance team in 2009.
Roberto Tozi is a former Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt competitor, in the adult division, who was considered one of the top contenders of his division. Roberto Tozi was also famed for his exquisite guard passing skills.
Fabio Gurgel is regarded as one of the top coaches in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The head instructor and leader of Team Alliance at the Sao Paulo head quarters, Fabio Gurgel was also one of the best jiu jitsu competitors of his generation with many important titles to his name, such as World Champion, Brazilian National champion and European Open champion. In 2010 Fabio Gurgel put his name in the BJJ record book when he competed and won the European Open, one of the top events in the jiu jitsu calender, at the age of 40, just a few months after he celebrated his 20th year as a jiu jitsu black belt.
Ricardo Arona is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt from Ricardo Libório and Carlson Gracie lineage, Arona is also a submission wrestling legend, having won the ADCC (the world’s most prestigious grappling tournament) on 3 occasions, he has also led a successful MMA career (Mixed Martial Arts fighter) having fought some the biggest names of the sport in his time, fighters such as Fedor Emilianenko, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun”, Murilo “Ninja”, amongst many others in the now extinct Pride FC promotion.
Alexandre “Xande” Ribeiro is a 6x world Jiu Jitsu champion from the Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu camp. Having been taught by some of the best coaches such as Royler Gracie and Vini Aieta as well as Xande’s own brother, the legendary Saulo Ribeiro. Xande Ribeiro (who is ranked #1 on BJJ Heroes’ Top 10 BJJ Fighters of All Time) also joined MMA in 2008 premiering in Japan’s organization Sengoku.