the Peso Leve division, mainly known as the light weight class is one of the most competitive divisions in jiu jitsu and it has been since the early days of the sport. This is a comprehensive list of the top players in this division (past and present).
Dennis Asche is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Roberto Correa AKA “Gordo” and an instructor at the Gordo Evolve academy. An American citizen, Dennis Asche has transformed his life due to BJJ, having lived extensively in Brazil and adopting the South American country as his second home.
Italo Lins is one of the top up and coming Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters in the world. Lins is a black belt under GFT Master, Julio Cesar Pereira, being part of a very talented generation of fighters from the Grappling Fight Team camp of which Igor Silva, Rodolfo Vieira and Jake Mackenzie and many others are a part of.
Alexandre “Baiano” dos Santos is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under master Neury Gomes, he is also a Pan Pac’s medallist belonging to the famous Cia Paulista team. In 2010 he moved to Australia to help Carlos Vieira run Paulista’s ever growing franchise in the region.
Davi Ramos is one of the top Jiu Jitsu lightweight competitors in the world. Born in Rio de Janeiro and taught by master Cesar Guimaraes from Top Brother and he is also part of the Atos team from Rio Claro. His strong and dynamic BJJ game have made him one of the most interesting fighters to watch in a division stacked with talent.
The very first king of the lightweight division (crowned by winning the first World Jiu Jitsu Championship in 1996), Renato Barreto was part of a Gracie Humaita generation teaming with talent, with fighters such as Royler Gracie, Wellington Megaton, Paulo Barroso and many others.
A Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Shinya Aoki is one of the most entertaining MMA fighters in the world. The Japanese superstar who has won numerous mixed martial arts bouts by submission, was forged in the Paraestra gym and is a decorated BJJ black belt with many important titles to his name
Leandro Lo Pereira is one of the top Jiu Jitsu competitors in the lightweight division. A black belt under Cicero Costha, Leandro became an overnight sensation after he defeated Michael Langhi – April 2011 – (who had been unbeaten for 3 years) on his way to the top spot of the World Pro JJ Cup in Abu Dhabi. Since the win in the Middle East, Leandro has cemented himself as one of the best in the business with wins at the Copa Pódio and Pan American.
Adriano Martins is a professional MMA competitor with an impressive fight record having wins over big names in Brazil such as Ronys Torres and …
Otavio “Peixotinho” is one of the best students of Carlson Gracie in the 1980’s decade and is today one of the most respected jiu jitsu masters in Brazil. Famed for his spectacular fight against two legends, Royler and Rickson Gracie, “Peixotinho” became a synonym of toughness and skill and together with a small group of people; he defined BJJ in the 1980’s. Otavio is also the brother of another prolific Carlson Gracie black belt, Mr Marco Aurélio Kühner.
Tiago Alves is one of the most famous BJJ practitioners from the Barbosa Jiu Jitsu Team. A black belt in both Jiu Jitsu and Kung Fu Alves excelled in the “Arte Suave” having achieved many important titles in the black belt division, such as Brazilian National Champion (with and without the Gi), Pan American Champion and even South American champion.
Jacob Mackenzie, commonly known as Jake Mackenzie, is a Canadian-born jiu-jitsu black belt under Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu who became well-known on the international grappling …
Raphael Chaves, also known as “Catatau” is a well known Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt in the No Gi (submission wrestling) competition circuit. Originally from Brazil, Raphael Chaves focussed more on the No Gi aspect of grappling since he arrived in the USA having conquered titles in several important organizations, such as the NAGA, Arnold Classic and Copa America. Rapahel Chaves has also ventured in MMA.
Huanderson Pavão is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 3rd degree black belt and Luta Livre master from the Grapple Fight Team (former Gama Filho). An …
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”.
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.
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.
Another success story from the famous “Projeto do Cantagalo” this Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Ricardo Vieira is teaching in Singapore after a successful career as both a competitor and a coach in Rio de Janeiro
A professional Mixed Martial Artist with a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu background, this UFC fighter has been a force in MMA since he was still a teenager, and is today one of the hottest prospects in the world’s lightweight division.
One of Carlson Gracie’s most talented black belts, Cassio Cardoso was one of the most important fighters in Jiu Jitsu of the 1980’s, his fights with Marcelo Behring will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic in the sport
Dave Camarillo is a Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Ralph Gracie. He became a mainstream name after many of his students became big stars of the MMA world, fighters such as Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick and Cain Velazquez. Dave Camarillo has also developed his own grappling system which he called Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu.