BJJ

Roberto Tozi Ferreira Filho: Jounery from BJJ to MMA

Roberto Tozi Ferreira Filho: Jounery from BJJ to MMA

1.Roberto Tozi Ferreira Biography

Name Roberto Tozi Ferreira Filho
Nickname N/A
Born Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Date of Birth N/A
Weight Division Pesado – Heavyweight (93kg – 207lbs)
Last Weight-in N/A
Height 6'1" (186cm)
Disclosed Career Earnings N/A
Rank Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt
Favorite Position Tozi/Sao Paulo Guard Pass
Head Coach Carlos Libre and Godoi 
University N/A
Lineage Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie> Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Waldomiro Perez > Roberto Godoi > Roberto Tozzi
Fighting out of Brazil 
Team Association Godoi Jiu Jitsu.

2. Early Life

Roberto Tozi Ferreira Filho was a champion born in Sao Paolo, Brazil. He was raised in an area where BJJ traces its origin and deeply rooted in the community. At an early age, he started learning about BJJ. His family engaged him in his physical fitness, and due to his growing age, he was exposed to various fighting styles.


The exposure to local academics resulted in immense help in the journey of BJJ, where he learned techniques, discipline, and principles of BJJ and understood and realized the usage of strategies more than extreme force.


He was able to experience so many different sports during his childhood. Through looking, he found martial arts. He learns the actual values of BJJ. It's not a physical exercise; instead, it's more about building your character, intellectual mind, and stability in life. In addition to that, it teaches you what strength is over force.

2.1. Initial training in Judo under Carlos Libre

Roberto Tozi Ferreira Filho's career path to becoming the most outstanding martial artist began with initial training in judo, which promoted him as a devout player with impressive skills. He was trained under the guidance of Carlos Libre and twice competed in the State Championship in São Paulowhere; through this championship, he achieved his first black belt.


It then proved to himself that he was a man on a mission to become an unbeatable player. He did not stop there. He cemented his claim in the international arena and left an indelible mark of his skills at the United States event of the World Judo Open, 3rd place.


Judo was merely the root and basic foundation before transitioning into BJJ, a turning point in his career. His judo background helped him immensely in his BJJ development, as seen in his ground fighting and guard pass styles, which are well known.

2.2. Rise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

At 16 years old, he started doing BJJ. His grappling skills and submission techniques qualify him as one of BJJ's finest and most formidable competitors. He participated in all the local and national tournaments, such as the Brazilian Nationals and World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, where he excelled in Gi and No-Gi formats.


He shifted to the Godoi and Macaco gym, under whom he received a black belt from Roberto Godoi. He was committed to being one of the best for his job related to his workout, and his knowledge and technical expertise made him unique among all BJJ players. 

2.3. Transition to MMA

He began his MMA career in 2006 because, being a multi-talented player who was successful in both the judo and BJJ mats, he began trying his skills in the cage. His strategic ground-fighting techniques, with some experience in striking techniques, wrestling, and grappling, help him succeed in MMA matches.


He adjusts his grappling skills to triumph in MMA by creating a heavy grappling style where he tries to gain control of the opponent on the ground. He uses the grappling abilities that let him stop striking attacks and utilize his strategy to apply submission and extreme strength.

His communication, ground fighting, and a new way of striking helped him fight against different opponents.

2.5. The Tozi Guard Pass

The most crucial technique he uses in his match is the guard pas or the São Paulo Pass.His technique allowed him to control and stop the opponent's defense and gain dominance.The primary focus of this position is to control weight and techniques to keep the opponent grounded.


This is for restricting the opponent's movements and getting hold of your next move. This smooth transition of the position and the application of submission according to his opponent's strength shows that he is pretty observant and skillful as a dominant player. This game plan combines his grappling skills, the innovative and strategic guard pass and submission, and the ability to control his opponent on the ground.


It is highly effective and thus followed by many practitioners worldwide. The Tozi Guard Pass is a testament to his innovative approach and deep understanding of the BJJ mechanics.Some of the most memorable fights he participated in were his career in BJJ and MMA.


He acquires many fighting skills, thus putting together his grappling prowess up to date.All his fights showed his skills in different types of submission moves and position control, and he spoke of his establishment as a formidable fighter of BJJ and MMA.


He has gained some prestige from martial arts groups and is known to be considerate and suitable to the community. In addition, he was also invited to seminars and training sessions where he facilitates his skills to upcoming fighters and practitioners.

2.5. Fighting Style

Generally, Roberto Tozi's fighting style has been grappling-based. Some of its significant aspects include:

2.5.1. Grappling Preference:

He is an excellent ground-fighting technique. Applying grappling as a centered method of dominating the opponents and keeping a dominant role while critically assessing submission makes him reach for his opponent with strategic takes, ground control, and positional awareness.


Understanding submission moves, techniques, and positions assists in gaining an edge over his opponent. He used various methods and submissions, chokes, and joint locks, and thus, he could win over a strong opponent. His knowledge and observance of the strength his opponent could offer about when to apply submission reveals his rich knowledge and makes him a dynamic fighter.

2.5.2. Strategy

Attitude towards strategic thinking is the most crucial when fighting. Tozi's strategic game is reflected in how he reads his opponents and changes the gaming strategies from fight to mid-fight to take advantage of space with top-notch fighting techniques. He often draws his opponent into situations where he can take control on the ground.

2.5.3. Mental Preparation

He prepares mentally. For instance, he incorporates visualization to better prepare himself positively for the outcome and re-enforces his self-belief. He would also have some practice in meditation and mindfulness to focus on things, increase mental strength and physical capabilities, and reduce anxiety before the fight. Going into every fight with a positive mindset, he perceives setbacks to him as a source of growth.

3. Historic fights

3.1. Roberto Tozi VS Otavio Sousa

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class
2009 Pan Championship IBJJF Antonio Peinado Win Pts: 3x0 Final ULTRA-HEAVY

4. Athletic Record

4.1. Major Accomplishments in MMA and BJJ

Year Title Position
2000 Brazilian National Champion 1st
2001 Pan American Champion 1st
2001 Brazilian National Champion  1st 
2002 Brazilian National Champion  1st
2003 Brazilian National Champion 1st 
2003 Pan American Champion 1st
2005 Brazilian National Champion 1st
2007 Brazilian National Champion 1st
2011 Pan American Champion (Master Division) 1st
N/A World Silver Medallist 2st
N/A Sao Paulo State Champion 1st

4.2. Professional Breakdown

Matches 5 wins 14 Losses
By points 3 5
By advantages 0 3
By submission 2 5
By decision 0 1
By penalties 0 0
By EBI / OT 0 0
Draw 0

4.3. Methods of Submission

Methods 19 Wins 10 Loss
Choke from back 0 2
Katagatame 1 0
RNC 1 0
Baseball choke 0 1
Wristlock 0 1
Omoplata 0 1

5. Fighting history

Opponent Result Method Competition Weight Stage Year
Rodrigo Cavaca L Omoplata Pan American ABS 8F 2009
Roberto Alencar L Adv Pan American 94KG SF 2008
Andre Galvao L Choke from back Pan American ABS F 2008
Roberto Alencar L Pts: 10x0 World Champ. 94KG 4F 2007
T. Gaia W Pts: 4x2 Brasileiro 94KG F 2007
Robert Drysdale L Wristlock World Champ. 100KG SF 2006
Bruno Bastos W RNC World Champ. 100KG 4F 2006
Rodrigo Comprido L Points World Champ. 100KG 4F 2005
Alexandre Ribeiro L Pts: 2x2, Adv World Cup 100KG F 2005
Roger Gracie L Points World Champ. 100KG SF 2004
Delson Heleno L Adv World Cup ABS 4F 2003
Fabricio Werdum L N/A Pan American ABS SF 2003
Glen Barber W Katagatame Pan American ABS 4F 2003
Erik Wanderlei L Referee Decision World Champ. 100KG F 2003
Alexandre Dantas L Points Pan American 100KG F 2002
Roberto Godoi W Points Pan American 100KG F 2002
Gabriel Vella L Baseball choke World Champ. 100KG SF 2002
R. Ribeiro W Points Pan American 100KG SF 2001
Rodrigo Comprido L Choke from back Rio x Sao Paulo 100KG SPF 2000

6. Contributions to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA

Tozi accomplishes much more than winning competitions; he also gives meaning to BJJ and MMA communities by teaching and mentoring aspiring martial artists he has learned along the way from his journey. His approach to education interweaves technical skills and his mental approach toward training and competition.


He underlines teaching values like discipline, respect, and an abiding thirst to learn. He has formed academies and attended numerous seminars that assisted in shaping the future practitioners of BJJ and MMA fighters. Through all this experience, he teaches not only skills but mental attitude as well for success.

6.1. Role model for youth

Apart from teaching, Tozi is involved in other community outreach programs that introduce Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to unprivileged youth. He recognizes and admits that martial arts have the power to change the way self-reliance and discipline shape the mind of a young one, and that motivates him to give back to his community.


He has demonstrated this remarkable mix of elite grappling skills in his career, wise guard passing abilities, and accurate control on the ground against his opponents. His excellent fights in BJJ and MMA style prove his versatility in almost any submission move or controlling position.


He is known for his skills in the martial arts world. Tozi is also widely acclaimed for humility, courtesy, and generosity because he has attended seminars and then conducted training to share with whoever wants to be a fighter or a practitioner.

6.2. Personal Philosophy

Roberto Tozi's philosophy regarding martial arts transcends the body. The man puts it that training in BJJ and MMA stimulates all human abilities: the durability, focus, and perseverance that individual athletes need to take them through every corner of human existence. He typically emphasizes that martial arts is about fighting, growing character, and weathering the highs and lows of life.

"Each fight teaches you something. Whether you win or lose, you have the opportunity to grow."

He used this approach very well during the ups and downs of his career by remembering to be humble and focused on developing and building himself further. He embodies the incredible journey one goes through as a young boy in BJJ, ending up a great MMA competitor solely through will and resilience. He became an even more razor-sharp focus on teaching within the martial arts community.


Nevertheless, continuing to compete, thus mentoring, Tozi remains an essential figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts because of the victories and the influence he left in the lives of his pupils and the broader fraternity.


Many young, would-be martial artists find Tozi's story captivating because hard work and dedication would help anyone succeed. Through lifelong learning and self-improvement, he established himself as an inspiring role model in the martial arts world.

6.3. Future Ambitions

Roberto Tozi Ferreira Filho will continue to compete in mixed martial arts, furthering his influence in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He aspires to open his academy to pass on his teaching philosophy to the students and a place where people can grow and develop. 


He wants to create a learning ground where people can learn life and martial arts skills. Through their intense training and mentorship, he would empower better generations to be more focused and robust with a will for success in every way.


Apart from teaching desires, Tozi is hopeful that he will continue to be a competitor. He feels that he should stay in the sport as he needs to remain active to ensure his credibility as a teacher. He plans to participate in various tournaments and prove his skills while staying closer to the competitive scene.

6.3. Best matches

Roberto Tozi vs Rodrigo Comprido Medeiros 

Andre Galvao VS Roberto Tozi / Pan Championship 2008 

Marcio Corletta x Roberto Tozzi by X-COMBAT 

FC 2008 - MMA - Roberto Tozi (Tozi / Godoi JJ) x Bill Albrercht (Fight Team) 

Fabio Leopoldo vs. Roberto Tozzi - Pauli 1999 

7. Conclusion

In how Roberto Tozi Ferreira Filho reapplied what he learned in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to MMA, one can see it as an example of dedication, resilience, and mastery over the game. This started with his childhood days in Campinas, Brazil, when Tozi began his martial arts journey. He joined the Judo Championship under the training of Carlos Libre, further developing his skills and notable achievements.


He shows his fabulous grappling skills, besides techniques for submission, and therefore, he gains even more prominence in his country and the rest of the world.In 2006, he accepted the challenge of MMA and chose the best way to combine his massive exposure to Judo and BJJ in the cage, often showing intelligent ground fighting at various stages of combat.


His technique, Tozi Guard Pass, has been a signature move that resonated well with an innovative style and tight understanding of mechanics, as shown in BJJ, which eventually won him awards and many fans worldwide. Roberto Tozi Ferreira Filho's journey inspires values for discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship within the martial arts world.

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