It is nothing short of trite for a writer to describe the impact Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu had on the world of martial arts in the 90’s as “seismic.”
Regardless, it is and will always be the truth. Royce Gracie’s legendary displays in the formative years of the Ultimate Fighting Championship certainly changed the world and brought the discipline to a wider audience. The evolution of mixed martial arts would inexorably be connected to BJJ, yet, for many fight fans, BJJ as a sport would be criminally overlooked.
As a stand-alone combat sport, BJJ’s effectiveness and grace make it a martial art unlike any other on the planet. Some of the greatest exponents of BJJ have crossed over to MMA and enjoyed mixed success, but it is in the sport itself where the true magic happens. The undiluted, uninterrupted beauty of the mat.
In BJJ – much like in any other sport – there is much debate among the hardcore fans as to who did it best. In this article, we take a look at a few of the most prolific competitors of all time.
Roger Gracie
What can you say about Roger Gracie that has not been said before?
If there was a gold statue commissioned for a BJJ fighter, the chances are it would be created in Gracie’s likeness. A 14x World Champion (10 in the black belt division alone), Gracie is widely accepted to be the greatest in the history of the sport.
His record is simply phenomenal. Gracie is the first man to win three gold medals at the open weight division, and the first grappler to finish all eight of his opponents in the ADCC tournament (weight & absolute).
An icon.
Notable Achievements:
World Champion (2000 blue, 2001 purple, 2002 brown weight & absolute, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 weight & absolute, 2008, 2009 weight & absolute, 2010 weight & absolute)
Absolute Silver Medallist (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 – all at black belt)
ADCC (2005 weight and the absolute)
European Open Champion (2005 weight & absolute)
Pan American Champion
Brazilian National Champion
Marcus Almeida
Considered as one of the greatest grapplers of all time, there is no doubt that “Buchecha” has made a significant impact on BJJ. The Rodrigo Cavaca blackbelt has 5 IBJJF World Championship open weight titles, among his vast accolades and championships, having gone on to smash the record once held by Roger Gracie with five in total from 2012-17.
Notable Achievements:
ADCC Champion (2017/2013)
IBJJF Pro League GP Champion (2016)
IBJJF World Champion (2012/2013/2014/2016/2017/2018)
IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2011/2010)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2012)
UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Champion (2012/2013/2014/2015)
WLPJJ SP Cup Champion (2010)
IBJJF Miami Open Champion (2010)
IBJJF World Championship Runner-up (2018 / 2011)
IBJJF World Championship 3rd Place (2011)
Saulo Ribeiro
Simply one of the greatest competitors of all time, Saulo Ribeiro is a black belt under Royler Gracie, and the older brother of another BJJ legend, Alexandre Ribeiro.
Saulo holds the record for the most world titles in different weight classes at four. His overall record is absolutely incredible, exemplifying the prolific nature of his style. Displaying exceptional talent from a young age, Saulo was awarded his first black belt at 19. As you can see from his list of achievements below, there is a reason why he is regarded as one of the most prolific competitors in the history of BJJ.
In no-gi, Saulo is also a two-time ADCC champion.
Notable Achievements:
IBJJF World Champion (1997/1998/1999/2000/2002)
ADCC Champion (2000/2003)
IBJJF Pans Champion (1998)
IBJJF Masters & Seniors Int. Champion (2012/2013 Senior 1)
IBJJF World Masters Champion (2014 Master 2, 2015/2016 Master 3)
IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2008)
Romulo Barral
Known as “Rominho,” Romulo Barral began his BJJ journey at the tender age of 15, joining the Gracie Barra academy. This would prove to be the right move, as he would earn himself a place in the pantheon of all-time greats.
Romulo has 60 submissions in his 103 fights on record. He is a firm believer in the benefits of training in the gi, regardless of the competition a fighter will compete in (no-gi, Vale Tudo, MMA etc). MMA standouts such as Dan Henderson, King Mo Lawal, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, and more have been taught by this five-time world champion.
Notable Achievements:
ADCC Champion (2013)
IBJJF World Champion (2007/2009/2012/2013/2014)
IBJJF World Masters Champion (2016 Master 1)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2007)
IBJJF European Open Champion (2016)
CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (2006/2007)
IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2009)
IBJJF European Open Champion (2013)
IBJJF World Championship Runner-up (2007/2009/2010/2011/2014/2016)
IBJJF Pan American Championship Runner-up (2016/2009)
IBJJF World Championship 3rd Place (2017/2006)
IBJJF Pan American Championship 3rd Place (2017/2013/2013/2006)
Bruno Malfacine
A black belt under Vinicius Amaral, Bruno Malfacine is commonly believed to be the absolute best rooster weight of all time.
Being the only person to win ten world championships (IBJJF) in the same weight class is bound to help that cause. In fact, a quick glance over Bruno’s record will show an absolute dominance in the sport which few can match.
40 of this special competitor’s 63 victories have come by submission.
Notable Achievements:
IBJJF World Champion (2007/2009/2010/2011/2012/2014/2015/2016/2017/2018)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2007/2008/2015/2017)
IBJJF European Open Champion (2010)
IBJJF Rio International Open Champion (2008/2009)
CBJJ Brazilian Champion (2008/2009/2010)
CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Champion (2009)
IBJJF Pan American Championship 2nd Place (2011)
IBJJF European Open 2nd Place (2011)
IBJJF World Champion (2004 purple, 2005 brown)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2005 purple)
CBJJ Brazilian Champion (1999 child yellow, 2002/2003 juvenile blue, 2005 purple)
Rubens Charles
Rubens Charles is one of the true legends of BJJ and one of the most prolific competitors of all time.
“Cobrinha,” translating to “Little Cobra,” is a 5x IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion and a 3x ADCC champion. Rubens is regarded for his capoeira background, which gave him a discernible fluidity and aggression, which are the hallmarks of his incredible talents on the mat.
Notable Achievements:
IBJJF World Champion (2006/2007/2008/2009/2017)
IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2007/2008/2011/2012)
ADCC Champion (2013/2015/2017)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2007/2008/2009/2017)
IBJJF European Open Champion (2013/2017)
CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (2017)
Marcelo Garcia
Marcelo Garcia is a name that even fans outside of the sport will recognize.
Widely considered as one of the greatest competitors in BJJ history, there is no doubt that Garcia has earned his place among the true greats of BJJ. Garcia has five world titles as a black belt in the middleweight category and has amassed a plethora of accolades and championships in his stellar career.
Notable Achievements:
Pan-Am Champion (2007)
ADCC champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2011)
World Champion (2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Brazilian National Champion (2004 & 2006 middleweight, 2006 absolute).
André Galvão
André Galvão is, without doubt, one of the greatest fighters in BJJ history. His reputation is one that comes without question.
A technical master, Galvão has numerous titles to his name, including the IBJJF World Championship (6x), IBJJF Pan American Championship (10x), ADCC World Championship (6x), UAEJJF World Pro Championship (3x), and European Championship (2x). Galvão has 73 submissions in his 157 wins. His record is truly remarkable, and one which is bound to see him remembered for years to come as one of the stand-outs of BJJ.
Notable Achievements:
IBJJF World Champion (2005/2007/2008/2014/2016/2017)
ADCC Champion (2011)
ADCC Superfight Winner (2013/2015/2017/2019)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2005/2006/2008/2011/2013/2014/2016)
UAEJJF World Pro Champion (2012/2013/2014)
CBJJO World Cup Champion (2006)
IBJJF European Champion (2015)
CBJJE World Champion (2008)
Ultimate Absolute NYC Champion (2011)
Alexandre Ribeiro
There are many who believe Alexandre Ribeiro to be the greatest competitor of all time in BJJ.
“Xande” studied under some of the most important figures in the sport, which includes Royler Gracie, Vini Aieta and his brother, Saulo Ribeiro. In his glittering career, Alexandre won pretty much everything on offer, including the IBJJF World and ADCC championships.
Ribeiro is regarded as a super-legend of BJJ and has become nothing short of synonymous with “the gentle art.” “Xande” has only ever had his guard passed twice in his entire career.
Notable Achievements:
IBJJF World Champion (2015/2008/2006/2005/2004 black belt, 2000 brown belt)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2006/2005/2002/2001 black belt)
IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2012 black belt)
ADCC Champion (2009/2007)
IBJJF World Championship Runner-up (2012/2010/2005)
ADCC Runner-up (2009)
ADCC 3rd Place (2017/2005)
IBJJF World Championship 3rd Place (2013)
