A list of all male competitors on the BJJ heroes website, Jiu Jitsu legends and other recognizable figures in the sport’s history.
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” …
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.
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
Léo Leite, is one of the most successful Judo players to have wondered into the world of BJJ. A Brazilian National Judo Team representative Leonardo Leite is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under “Gigi” Paiva from Alliance, having won 2 world BJJ championships and 3 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu National gold medals.
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.
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.
Milton Maximiliano Trombini is one of the leaders of Cia Paulista, a famous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team from Sao Paulo. Max is also a famous Judoka with strong ties to the Brazilian National Judo Team, having been involved with other National teams like the German, English and Russian.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Ricardo Vieira, Bruno Matias has been one of the top competitors out of the Fight Zone gym. Today he is settled in Northern Europe (Sweden) teaching his techniques in the Old Continent.
A multiple time World Champion, Omar Salum is one of the best rooster weights (Peso Galo) in the history of Jiu Jitsu. The fighter from the Amazon state of Brazil was also considered to be one of the 5 top most technical fighters in the world by BJJ legend Royler Gracie
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
Allan Goes, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt (sexto grau – 6th degree) was part of the famous Carlson Gracieteam that ruled the mats in the late 1980s/early 1990s, he became an important representative of the club in MMA events throughout the world. Allan Goes was also one of the first Brazilians to bring Carlson Gracie’s style of Jiu Jitsu to the United States.
Fredson Paixao is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under master Osvaldo Alves. A former World BJJ Champion with numerous other important titles in the sport of Jiu Jitsu, Fredson Paixao was also famed for going from purple belt straight to black belt without stopping at brown belt. A natural athlete, Paixão picked up a career in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in the mid 2000’s. first fighting in local shows such as Jungle Fight, then moving to the WEC and later hitting the big stage – UFC.
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.
A fantastic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor, Raphael Abi Rihan from the Carlson Gracie Team has been an important figure of the sport achieving important titles individualy and as a coach.
Luís Carlos, also Known as Manimal is a famous Jiu Jitsu black belt under the late Master. Having produced tremendous talent such as Raphael Abi-Rihan, Manimal, a true “casca grossa” of BJJ, lived with Master Carlson for several years having absorbed his wisdom and knowledge.