Top 10 BJJ No-Gi Fighters of All Time

Naming all of the best No-Gi BJJ fighters is not an easy task. No-Gi BJJ fighters can control their opponents’ movements, maintain good posture, and hold down a larger opponent. The best No-Gi fighters are determined by their win-loss ratio and overall performance in different weight divisions. All of this information is compiled in an attempt to pinpoint the most successful No-Gi BJJ fighters.

Dean Lister, or “the Boogeyman,” is a professional grappler with a previous wrestling background. Born in California, in 1976, Lister read articles about jiu-jitsu at the age of 10. He spent the next eight years training in Gi BJJ first before transitioning to No-Gi BJJ. Lister is a BJJ black belt who participated in the ADCC Submission Fighting Championship.

Lister has won multiple ADCC tournaments throughout his career, winning gold medals in both 2003 and 2011. The leg lock was his specialty as it allowed him to conquer the UFC 79 in 2007.

In 2022, Dean Lister was the first American to be inducted into the ADCC Hall of Fame.

Nick Rodriguez, or the Black Belt Slayer, is a professional No-Gi BJJ specialist. He was born in New Jersey, in 1996. At the age of 12, Rodriguez started his BJJ training, competing in high school and qualifying for the senior championship. Rodriguez earned his blue belt and won the 2018 IBJJF World Championship. In 2019, Rodriguez fought in the ADCC World Championship and achieved a silver medal which led to him being promoted to the purple belt.

Nick Rodriguez has achieved a notable career already at such a young age. He still has time to work towards his lifetime achievement.

Jose Mario, or “Zé Mario,” participated in both jiu-jitsu and MMA in 1990. He was a popular contender in the Pride Fighting Championships. He received his black belt and later founded his own academy named Brazilian Top Team (BTT). BTT became one of the most famous MMA gyms in the world thanks to Sperry’s reputation. Sperry first learned how to do judo. When he received his brown belt, Sperry transitioned to BJJ and eventually earned his blue belt. He received a degree in economics after finishing college and started coaching in BJJ.

Sperry grew into a remarkable BJJ fighter and submission wrestler, managing to win gold medals in both sports. He finally retired from fighting in 2000.

In 2022, Jose Mario Sperry was inducted into the ADCC Hall Of Fame.

Marcelo Garcia was born in Brazil, 1983. He decided to pursue MMA after learning about karate by watching movies. Garcia enjoyed learning an aggressive style of judo before deciding to join MMA. In 2011, Marcelo Garcia earned his black belt after a match against Alexandra Meadows. He went on to participate in the state tournament. Here, Garcia met with Paulo, who invited him to train full time at his academy. He worked on improving his guard at Paulo’s academy. Although he never won in the ADCC World Championship Absolute Division, Garcia still managed to attain silver and bronze medals. He won the weight division four times and amassed 24 medals in total.

In 2021, Marcelo Garcia was inducted into the ADCC Hall of Fame after becoming a four-time ADCC champion.

Rubens Charles was born in Londrina, Brazil in 1979. At the age of 21, Charles discovered his interest in BJJ. After getting his purple belt in high school, he decided to devote his life to BJJ. Eventually, he would earn his black belt and the nickname “Cobrinha.” Charles won the featherweight title after a back-and-forth rivalry. In the 2013 ADCC World Championship, he defeated Rafael Mendes and claimed his first gold medal. After beating several opponents in the ADCC championships, Charles won three gold and two silver medals in the 66 kg division. He was also awarded four gold medals at the World No-Gi IBJJF Championship.

In 2021, Rubens Charles was inducted into the ADCC Hall of Fame after becoming a three-time ADCC champion.

Royler Gracie was born in Brazil, 1965. He was taught BJJ at a young age by his father, Helio Gracie. When Royler Gracie decided to compete in MMA, he improved his skillset by learning how to grapple while standing up. Throughout his career, Royler secured nine victories in No-Gi competitions and earned three ADCC titles. Royler only lost one No-Gi match in his entire career.

In 2003, Royler Gracie was inaugurated into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Andre Galvao was born in Brazil, 1982 and devoted himself to BJJ when he became a teenager. Within a short time, Galvao proved himself as an exceptional grappler. Andre Galvao won the IBJJF Championship, Pan American Championship, and CBJJE World Championship throughout his career. Galvao retired with an honorable BJJ career. Despite retiring from BJJ competitions, he continued being involved with BJJ as a coach and trainer at Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Throughout his BJJ journey, Galvao conducted BJJ seminars, offering his services to teach BJJ philosophies, motivational skills, and techniques to inspire BJJ students. He is also the President of the Atos Jiu-Jitsu Association.

In 2022, Galvao was inducted into the IBJJF Hall of Fame.

Gabrielle Garcia was born in Brazil, 1985l. When she was 13 years old, Garcia learned jiu-jitsu from her uncle. Naturally talented in BJJ, she proved to be an amazing competitor right from the start of her training. Garcia won the Pan American Championship and received a black belt for her devotion to BJJ. She was notable for participating in the ADCC World Championship multiple times in the 60 kg division.

In 2021, after losing the IBJJF World Championship, Garcia decided to retire from fighting. She officially announced her retirement.

Being a heavyweight MMA fighter, Gabrielle Garcia was eventually inducted into the IBJJF Hall of Fame.

Ricardo Arona is a well-rounded fighter due to being skilled in BJJ, submission wrestling, and MMA. Arona is a three-time, ADCC champion He earned his nickname, “the Brazilian Tiger,” during his time-fighting at the Pride Fighting Championships. In 1994, Arona was crowned Brazilian National Champion after receiving his purple belt.

RicardoArona was inducted into the ADCC Hall of Fame.

Gordon Ryan was born in the United States, 1995. In 2010, Gordon Ryan first learned about BJJ when he was 15 years old. After one year of practicing BJJ, Ryan participated in professional grappling in 2011 as a brown belt. He is best known for defeating fighters twice his size in No-Gi BJJ competitions. Gordon Ryan is also an accomplished member of the DDS (Danaher Death Squad).

Gordon Ryan has achieved a notable career already at such a young age. He still has time to work towards his lifetime achievement