Manuel Ribamar - BJJ Black Belt & Middleweight Champion

1. Manuel Ribamar’s Details

2. Manuel Ribamar’s Biography

Manuel Ribamar is BJJ Black Belt under Rodrigo Pinheiro and Cicero Costha. He is one of the top middleweight competitors of his generation. He was trained by many BJJ coaches but it was Cicero Costha’ academy PSLPB that refined him into an excellent grappler. That is why he won titles at the World and South American championships.

2.1. Manuel Ribamar’s Early Life

Manuel Ribamar was born on 22 September, 1993 in Amazonas, the Brazilian state. His native Brazilian fighting spirit is evident in his fighting style.

Manuel Ribamar At Different Sports

Riba practiced numerous sports at a younger age, including football and judo. He was even interested in skating and capoeira, a form of martial arts that focuses on acrobatics, music and dance.

How Manuel Ribamar was Introduced to BJJ?

At the age of 10, Riba started BJJ with his brother Bosco Junior. His brother, being a Brown Belt, was skilled in BJJ. Bosco used to participate in sparring sessions in his own house with his friends. That is how Riba came to know about BJJ. For a short period of time, Riba watched his brother keenly. After acknowledging Riba’s enthusiasm toward BJJ, his brother gifted him a BJJ Gi.

Manuel Ribamar At Itamar Coty’s Academy

Riba’s brother enrolled him in Itamar Coty’s academy. It was Riba’s first official BJJ class. He had some classes with Itamar Coty but then Orley Lobato became his coach. He promoted Riba to the Orange Belt.

Riba’s Brother Opened A BJJ Gym

Riba’s brother Bosco Junior left Lobato’s gym and opened his own gym with his old school teacher, Agenor Alvez. Bosco made a BJJ team but it did not last long due to the lack of fees.

Manuel Ribamar’s Training By Master Faustino Neto

The shutting down of Riba’s brother’s gym took Riba to train under Master Faustino Neto, aka Pina. He is one of the most accomplished and professional coaches in Manaus, Brazil.

His Trip to Europe

Master Faustino Neto suggested to Riba a trip to Europe as he could have training sessions at Anderson Pereira’s gym, Icon Jiu-Jitsu. His BJJ techniques got more refined during his stay at Icon Jiu-Jitsu.

Manuel Ribamar’s Knee Injury

At Icon Jiu-Jitsu, Riba suffered from a knee injury. He immediately returned to Brazil for treatment. He did not have enough finances for the knee surgery so he stayed 15 months away from BJJ. He worked to get funds for his treatment. Though he stayed almost 1.5 years away from BJJ, he did not lose hope and returned to BJJ with the yearning to become an excellent grappler.

Joined Cicero Costha’s Team

After his knee surgery, he decided to fully commit himself to the gentle art and resumed his rigorous BJJ training regime. He sold everything he had and moved to Sao Paulo and joined Cicero Costha’s Team, Projecto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (PSLPB).

There he trained with Miyao Brothers, Yago de Souza, Leandro Lo, and Wellington Alemao.

Manuel Ribamar’s Lapel Guard

It is a lapel guard manual by Manuel Ribamar and one of the most effective techniques used by Riba. This lapel is the reason for Riba’s many victories in his excellent grappling career.

Represented New School Brotherhood Academy

In 2016, Riba started representing New School Brotherhood academy which was founded by some of the prior PSLPB students.

“I still represent Rodrigo Pinheiro in the Texas region, but work with Brotherhood in international tournaments. When I returned to Sao Paulo this year, I did not recognize anyone before (at PSLPB). All my friends were now training with Leandro, I had to go where I felt comfortable”.
(Manuel Ribamar)

2.2. Manuel Ribamar’s Pro BJJ Combats

Promoted to Blue & Purple Belts

Under Master Faustino Neto, Riba earned his Blue and Purple Belts.

Earned Brown Belt

After becoming a part of PSLPB, Riba won many prestigious title achievements. He was promoted to Brown Belt by Cicero Costha.

Competed in Pan American Championship

Riba received some funds in 2015 that allowed him to travel to the US. He competed in the Pan American Championship. He did not win the championship, mainly because of the gap in training because of his knee injury. Rodrigo Pinheiro believed in Riba so he helped him to remain in the US so that he could  properly train and compete at the coming World Championship.

Won the Mundial Tournament

Riba won the Mundial tournament and then he stayed in the US, with the intent to compete.

Promoted to Black Belt

In the US, Master Rodrigo awarded him with his Black Belt, fully authorized by Cicero Costha.

IBJJF European Open Champion

Riba won first place at the IBJJF European Championship in 2020, as a Black Belt.

2.3. Manuel Ribamar’s Historic Fights

Manuel Ribamar Vs. Ronaldo Junior

Ronaldo Junior is a BJJ Black Belt who represents Atos Jiu-Jitsu. He is famous for the use of foot sweeps. Riba tried to take Ronaldo down but did not succeed in it. Both the fighters attacked aggressively. Ronaldo gained one advantage point by pinning Riba to the ground. The single-leg attempt by Riba was excellent as it took Ronaldo to the ground. Riba won the match by gaining 2 advantage points.

Manuel Ribamar Vs. Claudio Calasans

Claudio Calasans earned 2 points at the start of the match by the sweep from the guard position. Later Manuel Ribamar gained 1 advantage point. In the last 30 seconds, Manuel Ribamar submitted Claudio Calasans by the Armbar submission. It seemed impossible for Ribamar to win but he defeated his opponent in only 30 seconds before the time out. It was a historic win for Ribamar.

Manuel Ribamar Vs. Samuel Snow

Samuel Snow is a BJJ Black Belt. Manuel Ribamar secured points in the match but it was the submission of Ribamar, which gained him victory over Samuel Snow. Manuel Ribamar submitted Samuel Snow via Arm in Ezekiel choke in 5 minutes and 5 seconds.

2.4. Manuel Ribamar’s Championships

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, LA	Black	1st
2018	IBJJF Austin Open	Black	1st
2018	WSOG II	Black	1st
2018	IBJJF NY BJJ Pro	Black	1st
2016	IBJJF Austin Open	Black	1st
2016	UAEJJF Grand Slam, RJ	Black	2nd
2016	IBJJF Rio BJJ Pro	Black	2nd
2016	IBJJF San Antonio Open	Black	3rd
2015	IBJJF Austin Open	Black	1st
2015	IBJJF San Antonio Open	Black	1st

Record

• IBJJF World Champion No-Gi (2019)
• IBJJF Pan Champion (2022)
• 3 times IBJJF Austin Open Champion

3. Manuel Ribamar’s Main Achievements

3.1. Gi Tournaments

Year	Event	Weight Class	Position
2022	IBJJF Pan Championship	Absolute	1st
2021	IBJJF Pan Championship	Absolute	3rd
2020	IBJJF Pan Championship	Absolute	3rd
2020	IBJJF European Open	Absolute	1st
2018	IBJJF NY BJJ Pro	Absolute	1st
2015	IBJJF San Antonio Open	Absolute	1st

3.2. No-Gi Tournaments

Year	Event	Weight Class	Position
2019	IBJJF World Championship No-Gi	Absolute	1st
2018	IBJJF World Championship No-Gi	Absolute	3rd

4. Manuel Ribamar’s Main Achievements (Belts)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2015	IBJJF World Championship	Brown	1st
2014	IBJJF South American Championship	Brown	1st
2014	IBJJF Sao Paulo Open	Brown	1st
2013	IBJJF South American Championship	Brown	1st
2013	IBJJF Sao Paulo Open	Purple	3rd

5. Manuel Ribamar’s Professional Record Breakdown

174 Matches	119 Wins	55 Losses
By Submissions	30	16
By Points	60	19
By Advantages	11	10
By Decision	17	8
By Penalties	0	1
By EBI/OT	1	1

5.1. Submission W/L Methods

Submission Method	30 Wins	16 Losses
Armbar	10	2
Arm in Ezekiel	3	0
Toe Hold	3	0
Clock Choke	1	0
Cross Choke	1	0
Short Choke	1	1
Rear Naked Choke	4	1
Choke from Back	3	3
Bow and Arrow	1	0
Verbal Tap	1	0
Submission	1	1
Kimura	1	1
Inside Heel Hook	0	1
Kneebar	0	1
Triangle Armbar	0	1
50/50 Armbar	0	1
Outside Heel Hook	0	1
Wristlock	0	1
Guillotine Choke	0	1

6. Manuel Ribamar’s Fight History

7. Manuel Ribamar’s Top Fight Links

Photo credit: @manuribajj