Ricardo Evangelista - 4th Degree BJJ Black Belt

Ricardo Evangelista is a 4th-degree BJJ black belt and is recognized as one of the most competitive ultra-heavyweight fighters of Jiu-Jitsu. He has an exceptional list of achievements and accolades including multiple championship titles at the European Open, IBJJF Pan American, UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro, and IBJJF Masters European Open titles as well as multiple victories at the UAEJJF  Grand Slam tournaments. He has always been admired for his extraordinary technical powers and achievements in Jiu-Jitsu.

Ricardo Evangelista, a native of Rio de Janeiro was born on 6th March 1986.

In 2001, at the age of 15, Ricardo’s brother urged him to join Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, from the very beginning, the techniques of this gentle art fascinated him and he decided to dedicate his quality time to BJJ.

He won his first BJJ tournament after 2 months of short training. Ricardo's passion for the sport and unquenchable thirst for getting technical skills grew with time as he delved deeper into the intricacies of BJJ.

During the rigorous BJJ training, Ricardo’s great endurance and strength became his signature qualities. His training partners, inspired by his strength, started calling him Jague (working donkey or Horse with strength and power) as a nickname.

Alexandre Barauna and Bruno Cunha were the first instructors of Ricardo Evangelista at Rio de Janeiro. While relentless and dedicated training under the mentorship of both coaches, he received blue and purple belts.

Upon achieving his purple belt, Ricardo became a member of the reputed UGF (Universidade Gama Filho) academy, formerly known as the GFT (Grappling Fight Team), showcased his interest and commitment to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In 2005, Ricardo enrolled in Physical Education Diploma at Rio de Janeiro University which later played a significant role in his professional grappling career. He qualified his graduation in 2009. 

At GFT academy, Ricardo started Jiu-Jitsu training under Master Julio Cesar Pereira and Marcus Bello who played a dominant role in the development of Ricardo’s professional career. Their coaching polished his grappling skills and propelled them to new heights.

Through unwavering dedication and a rigorous training regimen under the great BJJ masters, Ricardo honed his grappling skills to perfection, resulting in his triumph at various prestigious competitions including the Brazilian championships and Rio Open tournaments. As a testament to his remarkable achievements, his coaches Julio Cesar Pereira and Marcus Bello acknowledged his hard work and awarded him the prestigious black belt in 2007.

After receiving his black belt, Evangelista competed in different Jiu-Jitsu tournaments including the European Championship and quickly emerged as an elite grappler. He became popular due to his keen attention and grip on BJJ basics and technical prowess on the mat. Ricardo won the IBJJF Pan American Championship in 2011 which cemented his place among the top BJJ Ultra-heavyweight competitors.

In 2018, Ricardo emerged victorious in the Al-Ain International Pro Jiu-Jitsu  Championship, demonstrating exceptional resilience and skill on the mat. Despite suffering from a broken toe, he refused to let this setback hinder his performance and was able to gain a dominant position over his opponents.

In the final round, Ricardo faced tough competition from Luiz Nepomuceno (9-4) and Rodrigo Silva, but his superior technique and right strategic prowess allowed him to secure a decisive 10-4 victory.

Ricardo’s two decades of dedicated commitment to the grappling art of BJJ and elite coaching abilities made him a head coach at Renzo Gracie, Texas Academy. Currently, he resides in Lake Houston, Texas.

Ricardo Evangelista ranked 16th in 2022-2023 ADCC ranking of professional black belts,

He stands 7th in the ADCC men’s Master 1 black belt rankings for 2022-2023. This is a reflection of his outstanding skills and advanced approach to Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

The semi-final round of the 2019 World Championship witnessed the ultra-heavyweight bout between the seasoned world champion, Ricardo Evangelista and the skilled contender, Felipe Bezerra.

In the early seconds of the match, Ricardo displayed his expertise by executing a single-leg takedown and transitioning to his favorite close-guard position, earning him points for establishing dominance. As the score of 4 points flashed on the screen, it further elevated Ricardo's morale, propelling him to expertly transition to a mounted back choke.

Despite Felipe's attempts to break free, Ricardo's strong pressure at his back negated all of his efforts. In the span of just 60 seconds, Ricardo secured a total of 8 points, culminating in his triumphant submission of Felipe through the proficient execution of an arm in Ezekiel submission.

The highly anticipated quarterfinal round of the 2019 World Championship featured an ultra-heavyweight bout between Ricardo Evangelista, a seasoned veteran with a storied history of accolades in this division, and the relatively new face in this category, Eduardo Lopes.

As the fight started, Ricardo, a pro fighter from the GF team, attempted to establish his favored close guard position, but Eduardo showcased his extraordinary defensive skills on the mat by swiftly passing Ricardo's guard.

However, in the final moments of the match, Ricardo displayed his mastery of the sport by executing a single-leg takedown and seamlessly transitioning into a forceful toe hold. Eduardo, unable to withstand the pressure, ultimately succumbed and tapped out, securing Ricardo's victory.

The match between Ricardo Evangelista and Rodrigo Grenno during the eliminator round of the IBJJF world championship in 2014 was a highly anticipated event, as both elite grapplers aimed to dominate the fight from the onset.

As the match started, Rodrigo Grenno attempted a single-leg takedown in an effort to secure a dominant position. However, Ricardo Evangelista expertly utilized his advanced grappling skills and immediately ensnared his opponent's leg in a triangle hold, applying intense pressure that left Grenno with no option but to tap out.

Evangelista's swift and decisive maneuver showcased his mastery of the sport, effectively securing his victory in the match and cementing his reputation as a skilled and formidable competitor.

Ricardo Evangelista vs Erberth Santos 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Abu Dhabi

Ricardo Evangelista v Rodrigo Maciel / World Master 2020

Ricardo Evangelista v Renato Tagliari / Houston Fall Open 2022

Photo Credit: @ricardoevangelista