List of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners explained

This is a list of highly notable Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners.

Highest graded

See main article: Brazilian jiu-jitsu ranking system. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ranking system awards practitioners different colored belts for increasing levels of knowledge and skill.[1] [2] 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 generally resulting in a longer time to reach black belt. While black belt is commonly viewed as the highest rank of attainment, a practitioner who achieves the rank of 7th degree in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is recognized by a belt of alternating red-and-black. In 2013, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation adopted the alternating red-and-white belt to acknowledge the achievement of 8th degree. (similar to Judo's substitution of an alternating white-and-red belt at the 6th, 7th, and 8th degree).[3] At the 9th and 10th degree the practitioner is awarded a solid red belt, identical to Judo.[3] These exceptional belts are awarded to denote the exceptional status of their wearer and his or her knowledge and overall contribution to the art.[2]

The following individuals are particularly notable practitioners holding these respective ranks:

10th degree (10º grau)

The 10th degree red belt was originally only given to the pioneers of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Gracie brothers. There are no living 10th degree red belts:

9th degree (9º grau)

8th degree (8º grau)

7th degree (7º grau)

Notable competitors

Mixed martial artists

Many Mixed Martial artists are considered practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The following Mixed Martial artists are primarily known for their strong proficiency and usage of Brazilian jiu-jitsu to achieve significant results in Mixed Martial Arts bouts.

Celebrities and athletes

Each person listed is listed with their last known rank and coach, if either are known. The belt rankings may be out of date for some practitioners. Included in this list are also practitioners that have died. Belt rankings for deceased practitioners are of the last known rank before they died.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: IBJJF Graduation system. 29 December 2013 .
  2. Book: Gracie , Renzo & Royler . Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique. Invisible Cities Press Llc. 2001. 304. 1-931229-08-2 .
  3. Web site: Ohlenkamp, Neil . The Judo Rank System . 14 March 2011 .
  4. http://www.atcgracie.com/Brazilian_JiuJitsu_History.html Rocian Gracie, Jr. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center >> History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  5. Ericson, E., Jr. (2009): Never Give Up: Helio Gracie Baltimore City Paper (30 December 2009). Retrieved on 9 February 2011.
  6. Serrano, Marcial (2014). O Livro Proibido Do Jiu Jitsu Vol. 4. [S.l.]: (pag. 494), Clube de Autores. 504 pages.
  7. Web site: Pedro Hemeterio . 20 January 2011 . Bjjheroes.com.
  8. Web site: Joao Alberto Barreto . 27 December 2011 . 1 January 2014 . Bjjheroes.com.
  9. Web site: Alvero Barreto . 17 June 2012 . 1 January 2014 . Bjjheroes.com.
  10. Web site: Flavio Behring . 20 January 2011 . Bjjheroes.com.
  11. Web site: International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation . 2011 . Black Belts by Belt Rank . 30 March 2011 . ibjjf.org.
  12. Web site: Faixa Vermelha – 9º Grau/Grande Mestre . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100805060536/http://www.fjjrio.com.br/faixaVermelha9Graus.aspx . 5 August 2010 . 22 February 2011 . Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado do Rio de Janeiro . pt.
  13. Web site: 11 April 2010 . Armando Wridt (Gracie Jiu Jitsu) . 15 February 2011.
  14. Web site: 20 May 2011 . Gracie Magazine Article . 27 June 2014.
  15. Web site: 20 May 2011 . Faixa Vermelha – 9º Grau/Grande Mestre . 9 June 2011 . pt.
  16. Web site: 2010 . Faixa Vermelha – 9º Grau/Grande Mestr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141230191641/http://www.fjjrio.com.br/faixaVermelha9Graus.aspx . 30 December 2014 . 9 June 2011 . pt.
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  55. Web site: Welcome to Aloisio Silva Brazilian Jiu Jitsu . 12 January 2013.
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  65. Web site: 22 March 2021. One Championship inks jiu-jitsu standout Ryan. 23 March 2021. ESPN.com. en.
  66. Web site: Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu - BJJ Heroes: the jiu jitsu encyclopedia. BJJ Heroes. Bjjheroes.com. 11 August 2015.
  67. Web site: Marcus Almeida "Buchecha" BJJ Heroes. bjjheroes.com. 7 June 2017.
  68. Web site: Little, Brent . Interview with Eddie Bravo . 1 April 2011 . Jiu-Jitsu.net.
  69. Web site: ADCC Results . 1 April 2011.
  70. Web site: Keenan Cornelius Secured Two Tickets To Abu Dhabi in 2013 . Herle . Erin . 27 October 2012 . BJJPIX . 11 February 2013 .
  71. Web site: Wellington "Megaton" Dias (Gracie Humaitá) . 5 September 2010 . BJJ Heroes . 12 December 2012 .
  72. Web site: Alexandre "Soca" Freitas . 26 October 2010 . BJJ Heroes . 11 March 2014 .
  73. Web site: Andre Galvao (Atos) . 7 February 2010 . 5 March 2011.
  74. News: Marcelo Garcia (Alliance) . BJJ Heroes - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News . 8 January 2010 . 5 March 2011.
  75. Web site: Roger Gracie . 7 June 2010 . 15 February 2011 .
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  80. Web site: Xande Ribeiro (Gracie Humaita) . 24 January 2010 . 22 February 2011.
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  124. Web site: Rigan Machado puts a brown belt on Ashton Kutcher. jiujitsutimes.com.
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