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Helio Gracie (1913–2009) is considered one of the founding figures of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Frail as a child, Helio was unable to practice the physically demanding judo techniques taught by his older brother Carlos in the same way. Instead, he began adapting th...

Carlos Gracie Sr. (1902–1994) was the eldest of the Gracie brothers and the first to study under Mitsuyo Maeda, the Japanese judoka who brought his teachings to Brazil. Carlos opened the first Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro in 1925, laying the foundation for...

Rickson Gracie (b. 1958) is often regarded as the most skilled fighter of the Gracie family. Claiming an undefeated record in both sport competition and Vale Tudo matches, Rickson became a symbol of technical mastery and martial spirit. His victories in Japan ...

Royce Gracie (b. 1966) was the figure who introduced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the world stage. Chosen to represent the family in the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, Royce used BJJ to defeat larger opponents in front of a global audience, winnin...

Marcelo Garcia (b. 1983) is widely considered one of the greatest pound-for-pound grapplers of all time. A multiple-time ADCC and IBJJF World Champion, he is renowned for revolutionizing the use of the butterfly guard, x-guard, and guillotine choke. His style ...

Roger Gracie (b. 1981) is a ten-time IBJJF World Champion and one of the most dominant competitors in BJJ history. Known for his technical precision, he built his game around fundamental positions—most famously his mount and cross-collar choke, executed with u...

Gordon Ryan (b. 1995) is one of the most dominant no-gi grapplers of the modern era. A multiple-time ADCC champion, he rose to prominence as part of the Danaher Death Squad, specializing in a devastating leg lock system before evolving into a complete grappler...

Andre Galvao (b. 1982) is one of the most decorated athletes in BJJ history, with multiple IBJJF and ADCC titles. A student of Fernando “Tererê” and later part of Atos Jiu-Jitsu, Galvao is known for his explosive athleticism, dynamic guard passing, and relentl...

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida (b. 1990) holds the record for the most IBJJF black belt world titles, establishing himself as one of the sport’s greatest heavyweights. His combination of size, agility, and technical refinement allowed him to dominate for over a dec...

Rafael Mendes (b. 1989) is one of the most innovative featherweights in BJJ, celebrated for his technical creativity and dominance alongside his brother Guilherme. Known for refining modern guard systems such as the berimbolo and De La Riva, Rafael pushed the ...

Bernardo Faria (b. 1987) is a five-time world champion, famous for his relentless pressure passing and over-under passing style. Competing in the heavyweight divisions, he combined a grinding top game with a humble, approachable persona that made him a fan fav...

Keenan Cornelius (b. 1992) is known for his creativity and innovation in gi grappling. Rising to prominence as a purple belt by winning double gold at major tournaments, Keenan later developed intricate lapel guard systems like the worm guard, which reshaped g...

Mikey Musumeci (b. 1996) is one of the most successful American-born BJJ competitors, with multiple IBJJF World Championships at the black belt level. Competing in lighter weight classes, Mikey is renowned for his technical precision, berimbolo mastery, and de...

Ffion Davies (b. 1995) is one of the most accomplished female grapplers in the world. Hailing from Wales, she became the first British black belt world champion, winning IBJJF and ADCC gold at the highest levels. Known for her aggressive style, strong judo-inf...

Beatriz “Bia” Mesquita (b. 1991) is one of the most decorated female competitors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history. A black belt under Letícia Ribeiro, she has captured multiple IBJJF World Championships in both gi and no-gi, cementing her place among the all-tim...

Mário Sperry (b. 1966), often called “The Zen Machine,” was one of the earliest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stars to transition successfully into MMA and no-gi competition. A three-time ADCC champion, he became a symbol of the crossover between traditional gi BJJ and ...

Saulo Ribeiro (b. 1974) is a six-time IBJJF World Champion and two-time ADCC champion, widely respected as one of the most technical and cerebral practitioners of his era. A black belt under Royler Gracie, Ribeiro combined an innovative approach to guard work ...

Braulio Estima (b. 1980) is a three-time ADCC World Champion and multiple-time IBJJF champion. Nicknamed “Carcará,” Estima is celebrated for his fluid transitions, explosive guard attacks, and technical adaptability across both gi and no-gi formats. As a comp...

Dean Lister (b. 1976) is an American grappler and MMA fighter credited with popularizing leg locks in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A three-time ADCC champion, he was one of the first Westerners to achieve consistent success against Brazilian competitors at the ...

Gabrielle “Gabi” Garcia (b. 1985) is one of the most dominant female competitors in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Standing out for her size, athleticism, and technique, she captured four ADCC titles and six IBJJF World Championships at black belt. Garci...