List of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners
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This is a list of notable Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners.
Founders
- Carlos Gracie (Brazil, 1902–1994) He was taught judo by Otávio Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese emigrant to Brazil who was then a 4th dan Kodokan judoka. Carlos then passed the teachings on to his brothers Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., Jorge, and Hélio. In 1925, the brothers opened their first academy in Brazil, marking the beginning of the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.[1]
- Helio Gracie (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.[2]
Highest graded
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ranking system awards practitioners different colored belts for increasing levels of knowledge and skill.[3][4] 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.[5]
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).[6] At the 9th and 10th degree the practitioner is awarded a solid red belt, identical to Judo.[6] These exceptional belts are awarded to denote the exceptional status of their wearer and his or her knowledge and overall contribution to the art.[4]
The following individuals are particularly notable practitioners holding these ranks:
7th degree (7 grau)
- Royce Gracie - UFC hall of famer and pioneer of modern MMA[7][8]
- Carlos Gracie Jr. - Founder of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Founder of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy Gracie Barra[9]
- Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti - Founder and head coach of Alliance Jiu Jitsu team, one of only 6 people promoted to black belt by Rolls Gracie[10]
- Sergio Penha - Known for a match against Rickson Gracie, bypassed brown belt on his way to achieving black belt[11]
- Jean Jacques Machado - Captured every major title and competition award in Brazil, has appeared in several TV shows and movies[12][13][14]
- Marcus Soares - Promoted by to 7th degree by Carlson Gracie Sr. in 2005 [15][16]
- 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.[17]
- Fabio Santos- 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)
9th degree (9 grau)
- Carlson Gracie - Son of Carlos Gracie, trainer of UFC fighters, with a very successful professional fight career[23][24]
- Geny Rebello - Grandmaster given a commemorative tournament by the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro[25]
- Armando Wridt - Undefeated vale-tudo fighter who is one of only 7 people to receive a red belt from Hélio Gracie[26]
- Oswaldo Fadda - 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.[27][28]
- Francisco Mansur - One of only six men to be granted a professor's diploma by Helio Gracie. Founder of Kioto Academy. [29]
- Rorion Gracie - One of the founders of the UFC who was instrumental in bringing No-Holds Barred Fighting to North America.[30]
10th degree (10 grau)
The 10th degree red belt is limited to the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]:
Notable competitors
- Roger Gracie - World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x14) [31]
- Saulo Ribeiro - World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x5) and ADCC Champion (x2)[32]
- Xande Ribeiro - World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x6) and Black Belt Pan American Champion (x4)[33]
- André Galvão - World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x7), 3x Pan American Champion Black Belt (x3), won World Jiu-Jitsu championships for every belt color following white[34]
- B.J. Penn - Former UFC Champion and the first non-Brazilian winner of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the black-belt category[35]
- Robson Moura - World Jiu-Jitsu champion (x6) and Brazilian National Champion (x2)[36]
- Marcelo Garcia - World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x4), ADCC champion (x3) and Brazilian National Champion (x3)[37]
- Demian Maia - World Jiu-Jitsu Champion (x5) and UFC fighter who had a series of 11 undefeated fights in MMA[38][39]
- Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu - 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) [40]
Other notable practitioners
References
- ^ Rocian Gracie, Jr. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center >> History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. URL accessed on February 9th, 2011.
- ^ Ericson, E., Jr. (2009): Never Give Up: Helio Gracie Baltimore City Paper (30 December 2009). Retrieved on February 9th 2011.
- ^ a b Camargo, Bruno. "IBJJF Graduation system". http://www.ibjjf.org/graduation.htm. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
- ^ a b Gracie, Renzo & Royler (2001). Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique. Invisible Cities Press Llc. pp. 304. ISBN 1931229082.
- ^ "Martial arts ranking". The similar graduation system of another martial art (Karate). http://usadojo.com/learning-center/martial-arts-ranking.htm. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
- ^ a b Ohlenkamp, Neil. "The Judo Rank System". http://judoinfo.com/obi.htm. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
- ^ Hodges, Mike (July 19, 2010). "The 10 Most Influential Figures in MMA". http://bleacherreport.com/articles/422132-top-10-influential-figures-in-mma#page/11. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ Russell, Nick (February 2010). "MMA Hall of Fame: Royce Gracie". http://www.profighting-fans.com/mma/hof/mma-hof-gracie.html. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ "The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". http://www.ibjjf.org/jjh.htm. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ a b "ROMERO "JACARE" CAVALCANTI". http://www.usadojo.com/index.htm. http://www.usadojo.com/biographies/romero-jacare-cavalcanti.htm. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ "#217 Sergio Penha, Jiu-Jitsu Red & Black Belt". The FightWorks Podcast. June 27, 2010. http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2010/06/27/sergio-penha-red-black-belt-bjj/. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- ^ "Jean Jacques Machado: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion". Black Belt Magazine. http://www.blackbeltmag.com/jean-jacques-machado-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-champion-and-martial-arts-instructor/archives/818. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
- ^ "JIU JITSU IS HERITAGE: JEAN JACQUES MACHADO PROMOTED TO RED/BLACK BELT BY RICKSON GRACIE. THE PHOTOS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.". DSTRYR. June 8, 2011. http://www.dstryrsg.com/2011/06/jiu-jitsu-is-heritage-jean-jacques.html. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ T.P. Grant (June 17, 2011). "Jean-Jacques Machado Receives Red/Black Belt From Rickson Gracie". Bloody Elbow. http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/6/16/2228236/jean-jacques-machado-receives-red-black-belt-from-rickson-gracie. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
- ^ http://www.marcussoares.com/Marcus-Soares-biography.html
- ^ http://www.cbjj.com.br/diplomados-ordem-faixa.html
- ^ http://www.cbjj.com.br/diplomados-ordem-faixa.html
- ^ "Fight Finder: Rickson Gracie". Sherdog. 2011. http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=292. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ "Chuck Norris & Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu (Germany 1992 Demo)". January 27, 2009. http://www.thejiujitsufighter.com/2009/01/chuck-norris-carlos-machado-jiu-jitsu.html. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- ^ "Master Rigan Machado History". 2005. http://www.njgraciejiujitsu.com/rigan.html. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
- ^ "The Best Of The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor". http://themartialartsreporter.com/. 2008. http://themartialartsreporter.com/the-best-of-the-best-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-instructor/. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ "Joe Moreira". July 26, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/joe-moreira. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ "CARLSON GRACIE SR.". http://www.usadojo.com/index.htm. http://www.usadojo.com/biographies/carlson-gracie-sr.htm. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (2011 [last update]). "Black Belts by Belt Rank". ibjjf.org. http://www.ibjjf.org/blackbelts_ibjjf_rank.htm. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
- ^ "Faixa Vermelha - 9º Grau/Grande Mestre" (in Portuguese). Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. http://fjjrio.com.br/faixaVermelha9Graus.aspx. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ "Armando Wridt (Gracie Jiu Jitsu)". April 11, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/armando-wridt-wiki-bio. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ "Oswaldo Fadda". July 3, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/oswaldo-fadda-facts-and-bio. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "Faixa Vermelha - 9º Grau/Grande Mestr" (in portuguese). 2010. http://www.fjjrio.com.br/faixaVermelha9Graus.aspx. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
- ^ "Kioto Brazilian Jiu Jitsu". November 26, 2011. http://www.kiotobjjny.com/history.html. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
- ^ "MMA Hall of Fame: Rorion Gracie". April 16, 2011. http://www.fightinginsider.com/tag/rorion-gracie/. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ^ "Roger Gracie". June 7, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/roger-gracie-bio. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ "Saulo Ribeiro (Gracie Humaita)". May 26, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/saulo-ribeiro-facts-and-bio. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
- ^ "Xande Ribeiro (Gracie Humaita)". January 24, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/xande-ribeiro-fighter-wiki. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ "Andre Galvao (Atos)". February 7, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/andre-galvao-bjj-and-mma-fighter-wiki. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
- ^ "Mundial 2000". World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results from 2000. 2000. http://www.cbjj.com.br/resultados/2000mundial.htm. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ "Robson Moura (Nova Uniao)". February 16, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/robson-moura-bjj-fighter. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
- ^ "Marcelo Garcia (Alliance)". January 8, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/marcelo-garcia-fighter-profile. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
- ^ "Biography". http://www.demianmaia.com/biography/. Retrieved July 20th, 2011.
- ^ "Demian Maia UFC Bio". UFC.com. http://www.ufc.com/DemianMaia. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
- ^ http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/roberto-cyborg-abreu-bjj-fighter-wiki
- ^ "Gracie Family Tree". March 29, 2005. http://www.bjj.org/family.html. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
- ^ a b "The Machados". Mini documentary of Machado family. Vimeo. http://www.vimeo.com/10887391. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
- ^ "Rolls Gracie". January 17, 2010. http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/rolls-gracie-profile. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ Machado, Jean Jacques. "OFFICIAL STUDENT RANKINGS". http://www.jeanjacquesmachado.com/academy/official-student-rankings. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ Edward Pollard (September 2008). [http://www.toddafox.com/images/Black_Belt_Mag.pdf "Control vs. Chaos"]. BLACK BELT MAGAZINE. http://www.toddafox.com/images/Black_Belt_Mag.pdf. Retrieved August 18th, 2011.
- ^ Little, Brent. "Interview with Eddie Bravo". Jiu-Jitsu.net. http://www.jiu-jitsu.net/interviews/bravo/. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ "ADCC Results". http://www.adcombat.com/adcc-results?year=2003&weight=-65kg. Retrieved April 1, 2011.