List of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners
Encyclopedia
This is a list of notable Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
practitioners.
awards practitioners different colored belts for increasing levels of knowledge and skill. The system shares its origins with Judo
but now has its own character that has become synonymous with the art, including an informality in promotional criteria and a conservative approach to promotion in general.
While black belt
is the highest common rank of attainment, at the 7th and 8th degree in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the black belt is replaced by a belt of alternating red-and-black (similar to Judo’s substitution of an alternating white-and-red belt at the 6th, 7th, and 8th degree). At the 9th and 10th degree the practitioner is awarded a solid red belt, identical to Judo. These exceptional belts are awarded to denote the exceptional status of their wearer and his or her knowledge and overall contribution to the art.
The following individuals are particularly notable practitioners holding these ranks:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
practitioners.
Founders
- Carlos GracieCarlos GracieCarlos Gracie was the first Gracie to learn Judo from Otávio Mitsuyo Maeda. Based on this judo training, Carlos and his brothers founded the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
(BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, 1902–1994) He was taught judo by Otávio Mitsuyo MaedaMitsuyo Maeda,a Brazilian naturalized as Otávio Maeda,was a Japanese judōka and prizefighter in no holds barred competitions. He was also known as Count Combat or Conde Koma in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese, a nickname he picked up in Spain in 1908...
, a JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese emigrant to Brazil who was then a 4th danDan (rank)The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
KodokanKodokan, or the Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Literally, kō means "to lecture" or "to spread information," dō means "the way," and kan is "a public building or hall," together translating roughly as "a place for the study or promotion of the way." The Kodokan was...
judoka. Carlos then passed the teachings on to his brothers Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., Jorge, and HélioHélio GracieHélio Gracie was a Brazilian martial artist who, together with his brother Carlos Gracie, founded the martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, known internationally as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
. In 1925, the brothers opened their first academy in Brazil, marking the beginning of the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- Helio GracieHélio GracieHélio Gracie was a Brazilian martial artist who, together with his brother Carlos Gracie, founded the martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, known internationally as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
(Brazil, 1913–2009) was a Brazilian martial artist who, together with his brother Carlos Gracie, founded the martial art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, known internationally as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Until his death, Gracie was the only living 10th degree master of that system, and is widely considered as one of the first sports heroes in Brazilian history.
Highest graded
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranking systemBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranking system
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranking system awards a practitioner different colored belts to signify increasing levels of technical knowledge and practical skill. While the system’s structure shares its origins with the Judo ranking system and the origins of all colored belts, it now contains many of...
awards practitioners different colored belts for increasing levels of knowledge and skill. The system shares its origins with Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
but now has its own character that has become synonymous with the art, including an informality in promotional criteria and a conservative approach to promotion in general.
While black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
is the highest common rank of attainment, at the 7th and 8th degree in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the black belt is replaced by a belt of alternating red-and-black (similar to Judo’s substitution of an alternating white-and-red belt at the 6th, 7th, and 8th degree). At the 9th and 10th degree the practitioner is awarded a solid red belt, identical to Judo. These exceptional belts are awarded to denote the exceptional status of their wearer and his or her knowledge and overall contribution to the art.
The following individuals are particularly notable practitioners holding these ranks:
7th degree (7 grau)
- Royce GracieRoyce GracieRoyce Gracie is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, a UFC Hall of Famer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, he is widely considered to be the most influential figure in the history of modern MMA.Gracie gained fame for his...
- UFC hall of famer and pioneer of modern MMAMixed martial artsMixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be... - Carlos Gracie Jr. - Founder of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu FederationInternational Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu FederationThe International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation is the major and most prestigious governing body for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that hosts several of the biggest tournaments in the world, including the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship and European Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship...
, the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Founder of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy Gracie BarraGracie BarraGracie Barra is one of the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu associations, with over 400 black belts and 150 schools or affiliates worldwide. It is headed by Carlos Gracie, Jr., son of Carlos Gracie the first Gracie to ever learn Jiu-Jitsu from Japanese emigrant to Brazil Otávio Mitsuyo Maeda.- History... - Romero "Jacare" CavalcantiRomero "Jacare" CavalcantiRomero Cavalcanti , nicknamed Jacaré, is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the founder-head coach of the prestigious Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Team. He is one of the six people to have been promoted to Black Belt by the famous Rolls Gracie prior to his death in a hang gliding accident...
- Founder and head coach of Alliance Jiu JitsuAlliance Jiu JitsuAlliance is one of the most prominent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu associations, and the current, defending World team champions, having won the team title at the World Championships in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. They also won the World Championships back to back in 1998 and 1999...
team, one of only 6 people promoted to black belt by Rolls Gracie - Sergio PenhaSergio PenhaSergio Luiz da Penha is a world renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and instructor. He is most known for an epic fight against Rickson Gracie in the 1980s. Sergio currently is a coach for well known MMA fighters in Las Vegas such as Stephan Bonnar, Steve Cantwell, Anthony Njokuani among others...
- Known for a match against Rickson Gracie, bypassed brown belt on his way to achieving black belt - Jean Jacques MachadoJean Jacques MachadoJean Jacques Machado is one of the five Machado brothers, including Carlos, Roger, Rigan and John, renowned for their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills...
- Captured every major title and competition award in Brazil, has appeared in several TV shows and movies - Marcus Soares - Promoted by to 7th degree by Carlson Gracie Sr. in 2005
- Derval Luciano Rêgo (Mestre Morcego) - Founder of the FJJ-PE (Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado de Pernambuco) and co-founder of the CBJJ/IBJJF. Red-Black Belt under the lineage of Oswaldo Fadda and Jacê Paulino de Albuquerque. Known for a draw match against the lengedary Rolls Gracie at the end of the sixties in Rio de Janeiro.
- Fabio SantosFábio SantosFábio Santos is a red and black belt instructor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Santos graduated with a BA in physical education from the Universidade Gama Filho.-Biography:...
- Trained at the lengendary Rolls Gracie Academy. Received Black Belt from Rickson Gracie and received Red and Black from Relson Gracie.
8th degree (8 grau)
- Rickson GracieRickson GracieRickson Gracie is a Brazilian 8th degree black and red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie.-Biography:Rickson...
- The son of Hélio Gracie with an undefeated MMA career - Carlos MachadoCarlos MachadoCarlos Machado is a former world master's champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the eldest of the five Machado Brothers, known for BJJ, that also includes Roger, Rigan, Jean Jaques and John. He currently runs BJJ schools across the United States.-Early life :Carlos...
- World masters champion who assisted Chuck NorrisChuck NorrisCarlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
in his show Walker, Texas RangerWalker, Texas RangerWalker, Texas Ranger is an American television action crime drama series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis, and starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Texas Ranger Division. The show aired on CBS in the spring of 1993, with the first season consisting of three pilot episodes. Eight full...
, choreographing fight scenes with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Rigan MachadoRigan MachadoRigan Machado is an 8th degree red and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu earning his rank under Carlos Gracie Jr. He is a former Jiu-Jitsu world champion and a veteran of the ADCC. Machado holds a victory over Ron Tripp, the only person credited with a victory over Rickson Gracie...
- Credited with 365 wins and no losses in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition - Pedro SauerPedro SauerPedro Sauer is an 8th-degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu red and black belt under Rickson Gracie and Helio Gracie. On May 17, 2005, he was named "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor" in a worldwide poll conducted by the Abu Dhabi Combat Club ....
- US military and law enforcementLaw enforcementLaw enforcement broadly refers to any system by which some members of society act in an organized manner to promote adherence to the law by discovering and punishing persons who violate the rules and norms governing that society...
trainer, once voted "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructors" - Joe MoreiraJoe MoreiraJose Carlos Moreira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and a former mixed martial artist.-Early life and career:Joe was born inside a taxicab in front of a Rio de Janeiro hospital...
- Pioneer of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu within the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
9th degree (9 grau)
- Carlson GracieCarlson GracieCarlson Gracie, Sr. was a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He was the eldest son of Carlos Gracie, founder of the system with his uncle Hélio Gracie, and learned the art from his uncle and his father. He was a member of the legendary Gracie family.- Biography :Carlson Gracie would later split...
- Son of Carlos Gracie, trainer of UFC fighters, with a very successful professional fight career - Geny RebelloGeny RebelloGeny Rebello is a grandmaster of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu holding a 9th degree red belt. In 1997, Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro held a tournament named in commemoration of his 70th anniversary.-References:...
- Grandmaster given a commemorative tournament by the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de JaneiroJiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de JaneiroJiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro is a governing body of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The current president of the federation is 9th degree red belt Grandmaster Carlos Robson Gracie. The federation is the official certifying entity for the Gracie style of jiu-jitsu... - Armando Wridt - Undefeated vale-tudo fighter who is one of only 7 people to receive a red belt from Hélio Gracie
- Oswaldo FaddaOswaldo FaddaOswaldo Baptista Fadda was a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reaching the rank of "nono grau", a ninth grade red belt. He is known for being one of the highest ranked non-Gracie black belts and also for teaching students from the poorer areas of Rio de Janeiro, where jiu-jitsu was regarded as...
- Perhaps the only individual coming from a non-Gracie lineage to earn a red belt, the Fadda academy was instrumental in bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the poorer areas of Brazil. - Francisco Mansur - One of only six men to be granted a professor's diploma by Helio Gracie. Founder of Kioto Academy.
- Rorion GracieRorion GracieRorion Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and instructor, a prominent member of the Gracie family, and a founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the oldest son of Hélio Gracie and one of the few people in the world to hold a 9th degree red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,...
- One of the founders of the UFCUltimate Fighting ChampionshipThe Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
who was instrumental in bringing No-Holds Barred Fighting to North America.
10th degree (10 grau)
The 10th degree red belt is limited to the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:- Carlos Gracie
- Gastão Gracie
- George Gracie
- Hélio Gracie
- Oswald Gracie
Notable competitors
- Roger GracieRoger GracieRoger Gracie Gomes is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist. Roger was awarded his black belt by his cousin Renzo Gracie at the behest of Carlos Gracie, Jr. whilst training in New York in 2003. He is currently a second degree black belt...
- World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x14) - Saulo RibeiroSaulo RibeiroSaulo Ribeiro, brother of the equally famed Xande Ribeiro, is a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After earning a black belt in Judo, he began his training of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Rio De Janeiro under Royler Gracie, the son of Helio Gracie, at the famous Gracie Humaitá.Saulo received...
- World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x5) and ADCCADCC Submission Wrestling World ChampionshipThe ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship is a competition involving professional athletes who have been successful at the highest levels of jiu-jitsu, wrestling, judo, sambo, shooto and mixed martial arts...
Champion (x2) - Xande Ribeiro - World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x6) and Black Belt Pan American Champion (x4)
- André GalvãoAndré GalvãoAndré Luis Galvão is a Brazilian grappler and professional mixed martial artist. He has won the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and IBJJF Pan American Championships multiple times and has also taken third place in the 2007 ADCC World Championship at both -77 kg and openweight...
- World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x7), 3x Pan American Champion Black Belt (x3), won World Jiu-Jitsu championships for every belt color following white - B.J. Penn - Former UFC Champion and the first non-Brazilian winner of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the black-belt category
- Robson MouraRobson MouraRobson Moura Fonseca is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu icon and a mixed martial artist. He started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 10 in Teresópolis, Brazil. His first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teacher was Ailson “Jucão” Brites. Moura attained the rank of 1st degree black belt at the age of 18....
- World Jiu-Jitsu champion (x6) and Brazilian National Champion (x2) - Marcelo Garcia - World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x4), ADCC champion (x3) and Brazilian National Champion (x3)
- Demian MaiaDemian MaiaDemian Maia Baptista is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He currently fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Maia is currently ranked the #6 middleweight in the world by Sherdog and Yahoo! Sports., and the #8 middleweight fighter in the world by...
- World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x5) and UFC fighter who had a series of 11 undefeated fights in MMA - Roberto "Cyborg" AbreuRoberto "Cyborg" AbreuRoberto Abreu is a super heavy weight Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter currently living in the United States. He grew up in rural Brazil and is affiliated with Nova Geracao...
- World Nogi Champion (x2), Panamerican Champion (x3), Grapplers Quest Open Class Champion (x7), Copa America Open Class Champion (x4), Brazilian National Champion, World Championship Medalist (x12)
Other notable practitioners
- Gracie familyGracie familyThe Gracie family is a prominent sporting family from Brazil known for their founding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . They have been successful in combat sport competitions including mixed martial arts, vale tudo and submission wrestling events...
- A prominent sporting family from Brazil, known for their founding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Machado familyMachado familyThe Machado family refers to the lineage of Brazilian mixed martial artists and Grapplers. They are known for being the founders of RCJ Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu...
- A notable lineage of Jiu-Jitsoka related to the Gracies - Rolls GracieRolls GracieRolls Gracie was a notable practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a member of the Gracie family.- Biography :...
- An innovative practioner who influenced much of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Joe RoganJoe RoganJoseph James "Joe" Rogan is an American comedian, video blogger, actor, writer, podcaster, and martial artist. He is best known for his work on NewsRadio, his work as color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and his hosting work on Fear Factor.-Acting:In 1994, Rogan co-starred on...
- an AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedianComedianA comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and color commentatorColor commentatorA color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for the UFCUltimate Fighting ChampionshipThe Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
, currently a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Ed O'NeillEd O'NeillEdward Phillip "Ed" O'Neill, Jr. is an American actor. He is best known for his role as the main character, Al Bundy, on the Fox Network sitcom Married... with Children, for which he was nominated for two Golden Globes...
- American actor, best known for his role as Al BundyAl BundyAl Bundy is a fictional character from the U.S. television series Married... with Children. He was played by Ed O'Neill.-Character history:...
, black belt under Rorion GracieRorion GracieRorion Gracie is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and instructor, a prominent member of the Gracie family, and a founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the oldest son of Hélio Gracie and one of the few people in the world to hold a 9th degree red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,... - Maynard James KeenanMaynard James KeenanMaynard James Keenan is an American rock singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, winemaker, and actor. Originally from Ohio, Keenan spent his high school and college years in Michigan. After serving in the Army in the early 1980s, he attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids...
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rockRock musicRock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
vocalist, known for his role as a lead singer for the band TOOLToolA tool is a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose. Tools that are used in particular fields or activities may have different designations such...
, trained under Rickson Gracie - Eddie BravoEddie BravoEddie Bravo is a Mexican-American practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who holds a second degree black belt under Jean-Jacques Machado...
- Known for a notable tournament victory over Royler GracieRoyler GracieRoyler Gracie is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. He ran the Gracie Humaitá jiu-jitsu school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for many years under his father Helio's direction, but currently resides in San Diego, US.Royler travels around the world teaching...
as a brown belt and pioneering 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu10th planet jiu-jitsu10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a non-traditional style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu developed by Eddie Bravo. The characteristics that distinguish it from traditional grappling are its strong focus on alternative and unconventional techniques, and its foundations without using a gi...