In the world of martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is one of the most popular and well-known. This list will rank the top 10 brazilian jiu jitsu fighters to ever walk this earth. Who will be at the top?
Marcelo Garcia
Marcelo Garcia is one of the most influential competitors in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is a 9x BJJ World Champion and 2x ADCC World Champion. Marcelo has been teaching BJJ for over 30 years.
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida
One of the most dominant athletes in the history of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, “Buchecha” Almeida is a 5x world champion in the black belt division and 4x Pan American champion. Buchecha earned his nickname from his father who always called him “little ox,” but eventually shortened it to Buchecha.
Buchecha was inspired by Royce Gracie, and dreamed of becoming a professional martial artist like him. Buchecha began training jiu-jitsu at age 12 when he joined his uncle’s academy. Two years later, he became the youngest Brazilian national champion in jiu-jitsu.
Rodolfo Vieira
Rodolfo Vieira is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert who has won multiple World Championships. He is known for his trademarks berimbolos and inverts.
Saulo Ribeiro
One of the top ten Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors in history is Saulo Ribeiro. He is a four-time world champion and two-time ADCC champion. His style, which he has named “De La Riva Guard” was seen as revolutionary because it changed the way people trained guards on the mat. He also introduced the single leg x guard to the sport.
Milton Vieira
Milton Vieira is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor who has won many tournaments in his career. He is a 4th-degree black belt and has been successful in many matches, including the 2000 World Championship. His grappling style combines both judo and wrestling.
Fernando Terere
Fernando Terere is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor and instructor. He won the black belt division at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 4 consecutive years. He was also world champion 4 times and was inducted into the IBJJF Hall of Fame in 1996.
Ronaldo Pulga
Ronaldo Pulga is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor and instructor. He started training in martial arts when he was 7 years old. He competed in the 2003 Pan American Championships and won first place in the middleweight division. In 2009, he won again at the Pan American Championships and also became an IBJJF World Champion in 2010.
Clark Gracie
Clark Gracie is the grandson of Carlos and Helio Gracie. He didn’t compete much in tournaments because he had a fear of getting injured, but he did compete in some events. Most notably, his fight with Waldemar Santana is one of the most memorable fights in BJJ history. Clark’s greatest accomplishment was defeating his father Rolls Gracie for the Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Royler Gracie
Royler Gracie was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter and is one of the most famous fighters in history. He became world champion twice, both when he was a heavyweight and as a lightweight. Gracie was also awarded a black belt by his father Helio Gracie.
Kron Gracie
Kron Gracie is the son of Rickson Gracie. Rickson is one of the original Brazilian Jiu Jitsu masters and a 3rd degree black belt. Kron won both World Championships at blue belt and purple belt level. He was 4x Rio State champion, 6x Brazilian National champion, 4x Pan American Champion, 7th place medalist in ADCC 2011 and victor of the “Copa Pódio” at black belt level.