Top 20 IBJJF BJJ Combatants of all Times

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu falls in the category of grappling Martial Arts. BJJ taught the art of seizing control over your opponent by applying joint locks and submission attacks. Even without an advantage of strength and power, a BJJ fighter can subdue the opponent by using techniques, agility, and body flexibility. Does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu use any strikes, blows, and kicks? The prime exertion of BJJ is on submission techniques, so BJJ does not allow any strikes, blows, or body kicks.

Women make up 48% of martial art participants. BJJ has many star female grapplers, even some are awarded IBJJF Hall of Fame. Players do not take it just as a sport, actually they build their lives and personalities around the discipline of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Following are the Top BJJ Fighters who are considered the Masters of BJJ.

Gracie Family is regarded as the pioneers of Jiu-Jitsu. They devoted their whole lives to the teaching and propagation of Jiu-Jitsu.

Roger Gracie’s parents were the forefathers of the Gracie Family, who pioneered BJJ. His favorite technique is the cross choke from the mount position.

• 10 times IBJJF World Champion
• 1-time IBJJF European Open Champion (2005)
• 1-time IBJJF Pan American Champion (2006)
• 2nd Place at IBJJF World Championship in Absolute Weight Category (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,2008)
• 2nd place at IBJJF Pan Championship (2006)

• ADCC Superfight Champion (2007)
• 1st Place at ADCC Championship(2005)
• 2 times Brazilian National Champion

• Established the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
• 5th degree BJJ Black Belt holder
• Hold the record of submitting all 8 opponents in the ADCC Championship in 2005 and won the Championship

Marcus Almeida known as ‘Buchecha’ is the greatest grappler of his era. Marcus is renowned for his 6 IBJJF World Championship titles in the open weight category. He is still an active fighter in the heavyweight category. He is famous for the use of armbar, toehold, and chokes.

• 1st Position at IBJJF Pro League Grand Prix (2016)
• 1st place at IBJJF World Championship (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
• 1st Position IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2010, 2011)
• 1st place at IBJJF Pan Championship (2012)
• 3rd place at IBJJF World Championship (2011)
• 6 times IBJJF Pan American Champion

• 3rd Place ADCC World Championship (2017)
• 1st Position UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2012, 2015)
• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2013, 2017)
• 2 times World Grand Prix Champion (2016, 2017)
• 5 times Brazilian National Champion (2007,2010)

• 2nd degree BJJ Black Belt
• 6 times IBJJF World Champion in Open Weight Titles
• Receives his Black Belt at the Podium of World Championship after the Win
• Coached in the Various States of US

• He is the founder of CBJJ (1994) also known as IBJJF.
• Co-Founder of the most famous Jiu-Jitsu Team, Gracie Barra

• Pan American Sambo Champion (1980)
• Fought and won dozens of freestyle fights
• Taught is the Head Quarters
• Studies Nutrition at the Rio de Janeiro University

• 8th-degree Coral Belt
• Coached at the Copacabana Academy
• Opened his Own Gym in Barra da Tijuca
• Pioneered the Gracie-Barra Project (Associação de Jiu Jitsu da Barra)
• Launched Jiu-Jitsu-related Newspaper in 1994
• Upgraded the paper into a magazine
• Coached the top of the world BJJ competitors
• In 2008 he was posthumously awarded the 8th degree (white and red) coral belt
• Founder of the Gracie Barra Institute

Bianca Andrade is one of the most famous BJJ athletes of all time. Her name is included in the IBJJF Hall of Fame. Her professional fighting career is filled with Titles and Championship wins.

• 2 times IBJJF No-Gi World Champion (2007, 2008)
• 3 times IBJJF South American Champion
• 6 times IBJJF World Champion
• 2nd place in IBJJF World Championship (2009)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2007)

• No-Gi World Champion (2007, 2008)
• 3rd place at CBJJ Brazilian National Championship
• CBJJ Brazilian Champion (2002,2005,2006,2008-10)

• 5th-degree Black Belt
• Professor at Gracie Barra Hamburg
• Member of IBJJF Hall of Fame
• Fastest submission record in the finals of the World Competition
• Gracie Barra Alagoas
• Head Instructor
• 6 Gi World Titles

Bruno is given the title of “Bad Boy”. He is among the youngest IBJJF Hall of Famer as the best rooster weight of all time. He is among the very few fighters in BJJ who have won 10 World titles in IBJJF World Championships. Bruno is the top performer of the leading Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team of Fabio Gurgel.

• 10 wins in IBJJF World Championships
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2007, 2008, 2015, 2017)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2010)
• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2021)
• 1st Place IBJJF Rio International Open (2008-09)

• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2008-10)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Nationals (2009)

• 4th degree Black Belt
• 10 wins in IBJJF World Championships
• IBJJF Hall of Famer
• The top performer of the Alliance team
• Trained with Master Fabio Gurgel
• Best BJJ Roosterweight of all the time
• Opened his Jiu-Jitsu academy

Saulo Ribeiro is an elite BJJ fighter, writer, exceptional trainer, and a true man of humble character. In his professional fighting career, he fought and won every national and international competition.  

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2008)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship (1998)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (1997-2000,2002)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Masters Championship (2001, 2015,2016)

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2000, 2003)
• Pan American Champion
• ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion
• World No-Gi Champion
• Brazilian National Champion
• World Masters and Seniors Champion

• IBJJF Hall of Famer
• ADDC Hall of Famer
• 4th degree Black Belt
• Got his Black Belt from Master Royler Gracie
• Author of the book “Jiu-Jitsu University”
• Coach of Rafael Lovato Jr (World Jiu-Jitsu Champion) and Diego Sanchez (MMA Fighter)
• Associated with Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association and Gracie Humaita
• Participated in MMA
• Managed the University of Jiu-Jitsu with his brother Xande in San Diego, California

Gabriel Gonza’s nickname is “Napao”, he fought in BJJ as a Black Belt and MMA in the heavyweight division. He represented Macaco Gold team Academy and won many World Titles.

• 1st Place at IBJJF World Championship (2006)
• 1st Place at IBJJF Masters World Championship (2019)
• 3rd Place at IBJJF World Championship (2000,2002)

• 1st Place CBJJO World Cup (2006)
• 1st Place ADCC Brazilian Trials (2005)
• 3rd Place CBJJO World Cup (2005)
• 3rd Place at CBJJ World Cup (2005)
• 3rd Place at CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (1999)
• Participated in Bare Knuckle Boxing
• Participated in Professional Boxing

• 5th-degree Black Belt
• Associated with Squared BJJ
• Awarded Knockout of the Year in 2007 against Mirko Cro Cop
• Earned Fight of The Night (Twice)

Robson also known as “Robinho” is a BJJ fighter, instructor, and MMA practitioner with a 6th Degree BJJ Black Belt. He is one of the greatest fighters in the featherweight category.

• IBJJF World Champion (Purple-1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007)
• 3rd Place at IBJJF World Championship (2001)
• IBJJF Pan American Champion (Brown-1996)

• CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (1998)
• CBJJO World Cup Champion (2002)

• Member of IBJJF Hall of Fame
• 6th-degree Black Belt
• Instructed in many Academies in Brazil
• Head Instructorship at RMNU Headquarters in Tampa, Florida
• Founded “The Robson Moura Association

Leticia is a 4th-degree BJJ black belt and earned many Championship Titles. She is associated with the Gracie Humaita Institute in Tijuca and was awarded with the IBJJF Hall of Fame. Ribeiro is considered among the top 10 female BJJ fighters. 

• IBJJF World Champion (2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2012)
• IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2008, 2010)
• IBJJF Pan American Champion (2003-2004)

• 2 times No-GI World Champion
• 5 times Brazilian National Champion
• 7 times BJJ World Champion
• 1st Place World BJJ Championship (2011)

• 4th degree Black Belt
• Member of IBJJF Hall of Fame
• Founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu South Bay
• Considered among 10 female BJJ fighters

Roberto is known as “Roleta”. He is regarded as the Master of this gentle art of Jiu-Jitsu. He is 4 times World Champion. He is renowned as one of the prestigious practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu and the inventor of modern Jiu-Jitsu.

• 1st Place in IBJJF World Championship (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000)
• 1st Place in IBJJF Pan American Championship (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
• 2nd Place in IBJJF World Championship 91998, 1999)

• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (1996)

• 6th-degree Black Belt
• Creator of Inverted Guard
• Trainer with Gracie Barra Team
• Instructor in many academies in Brazil and the US

Rodolfo’s favorite techniques are choke from the back, knee slide pass, and armbar. He fought in the Peso Pesado and Super Pesado weight divisions. Later, he switched to Mixed Martial Arts and won many fights in UFC. He is called a legend in BJJ because of 5 times winning streak in the World Championship and 7 times World Cup wins.

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2011)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2012)
• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2012, 2013, 2014)

• 4 times BJJ World Champion
• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2015)
• 1st Place Copa Podio Grand Prix (2013, 2014)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro (2011, 2012, 2014)

• Member of IBJJF Hall of Fame
• Black Belt in BJJ under Julio Cesar Pereira
• Fought in MMA
• Out of 97, 63 wins by Submission

She is one of the leading BJJ female fighters of all time. She is the most prominent lightweight competitor. She is a BJJ Black Belt under Marco Barbosa.

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2009-13)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2018)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2010-12)
• Number 1 Athlete of the Year by IBJJF in 2013
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2011,2013-14)

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2009)
• UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Championship (2011, 2012)
• 1st Place in CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (200), 2013)
• CBJJ World Cup Winner (2007)

• Black Belt
• Member of IBJJF Hall of Fame
• Trained with Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Team

Hannette is multiple times World Champion and is considered among the top female BJJ grapplers. She won her 1st World Championship and is a member of the IBJJF Hall of Famer. She fought in the Absolute weight division. Her favorite position is the Mount.

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2007)
• 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2006, 2014)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2005, 2013)

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2007, 2009)
• 2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2011)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2003)

• Black Belt in BJJ
• Member of IBJJF Hall of Fame
• Founded “Brazil 021 School of Jiu-Jitsu”

She is also known as Gabi Garcia. She excelled in Kimura and Americana and was regarded as one of the most accomplished Black Belt female BJJ fighters. Gabi is a 9 times Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World championship fights in the heavyweight division and is a member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame.

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2010-12)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2010-11, 2019)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2011-2015)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2021)

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2011,2013,2017,2019)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro Championship (2010-11)

• IBJJF Hall of Fame Member
• 3rd degree Black Belt
• 9 times Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion
• 11 times Pan Jiu-Jitsu Champion
• 4 times ADCC Submission Fighting World Champion

Marcelo is one of the best pound-to-pound Brazilian Submission Grapplers. He is a Black Belt under Fabio Gurgel. He has secured 5 World Championship titles in BJJ as a Black Belt. Arm Drag, Guillotine Choke, X Guard, and Butterfly Guard were his favorite techniques.

• Championship Winner (2011, 2010, 2009, 2010, 2011)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan American Championship (2007)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship in absolute category (2006,2004)

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2011, 2007, 2009, 2006, 2004)
• 3rd Place ACBJJ World Cup in Absolute category (2009)
• 1st Place at CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2004, 2006)

• ADCC Hall of Famer
• 4th degree Black Belt
• Founded Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy
• Opened Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School in Pembroke Pines
• In 2009, Opened his most famous Academy in Manhattan, New Your City

She is one of the only two females of the Gracie family who have achieved the Black Belt. Actually, she is the first female Gracie Black Belt holder and competitor. Kyra fought in the featherweight division.

• IBJJF Hall of Famer
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2004,2006,2008,2010)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2005,2007)

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2005,2007,2011)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2005,2008)
• Trained in Judo and Boxing
• Frequently appeared on the Famous Brazilian TV shows
• Affiliated as a trainer with the Atos team

• 4th degree Black Belt
• One of the most well-known BJJ Fighter
• First female to be included in the ADCC Hall of Fame
• Ambassador of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Associated with Gracie Barra Team

Romulo is also known as ‘Romulo’, he is regarded as “The Number 1 BJJ fighter in the world”. He is also renowned as one of the Elite and proficient BJJ coaches in the world.

• 1st Place at IBJJF World Championship (2007, 2009-11, 2014, 2016)
• 1st Place at IBJJF World Masters Championship (2016)
• 1st Place at IBJJF Pan Championship (2007)
• 1st Place at IBJJF European Open (2016)
• 1st Place at IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2009)
• 2nd Place at IBJJF World Championship (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016)
• 2nd place at IBJJF Pan Championship (2016, 2009)
• 3rd place at IBJJF World Championship (2006, 2017)
• 3rd place at IBJJF Pan Championship (2006, 2013, 2017)

• 1st place in 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2013)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2006-07)

• Established his own Jiu-Jitsu academy, “Gracie Barra Northridge”
• Competed in MMA
• 61 Submission Wins
• Coached many star MMA fighters
• Taught at Alberto Crane School in Los Angeles

Rubens Charles was called Cobrinha because of his agility and aggressive style of fighting. He competed in the featherweight class and earned 6 World Championships and 3 ADCC Championships. His favorite technique is De La Riva Guard.  

• 1st Place IBJJF World Champion (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017)
• 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2007, 2008, 2009,2017)
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2013,2017)

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2013,2015,2017)
• 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2017)
• Earned “The Best BJJ Fighter” of 2009 by the Brazilian Media

• Opened his own school, “Cobrinha BJJ” in Los Angeles, California
• Associated with Alliance Jiu-Jitsu
• Earned “The Best Guard of the Decade” for his guard technique
• Instructed at Alliance Jiu Jitsu Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia
• His student Fabrico Werdum was acknowledged in the ADCC Hall of Fame

Alexandra Couceiro is a submission BJJ fighter and a founding member of the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association. He excelled in Guard passing. He fought in the heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions. He is three times World Black Belt Pro Division Champion.

• 1st Place at IBJJF World Championship (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008,2015)
• 1st Place at IBJJF Pan Championship (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006)
• 1st Place at IBJJF No-Gi World Championship (2012)
• 2nd Place at IBJJF World Championship (2005,2012)
• 3rd Place at IBJJF World Championship (2013)

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2007,2009)
• 2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2009)
• 3rd Place ADCC World Championship (2005, 2017)

• A founding member of the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association
• Opened The University of Jiu-Jitsu
• Alexandre’s students founded Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association
• Only four times his opponents succeeded in passing his lethal guard
• Alexandre is only mounted 1 time in his whole grappling career

Michelle is considered among the elite fighters in BJJ. She fought in the Absolute weight category. She has won 8 Gold Medals. Her name is included in the IBJJF Hall of Fame.

• 8 times IBJJF World Championship (2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• 1st Place at IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2008,2010)
• 1st Place at IBJJF Pan Championship (2008, 2010, 2011)
• 1st Place at IBJJF European Open (2012)

• 1st Place ADCC World Champion (2013)
• ADCC Brazilian Trails Champion (2005)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2012)

• Brazilian National Silver Medallist in BJJ (1999)
• Member of IBJJF Hall of Fame
• Michelle has the record of second fighter with the most IBJJF World Championship Wins as

BJJ is a famous grappling sport but now it is gaining more recognition as more and more players are opting for it. Why is Brazil so prominent in UFC and MMA? It is because the MMA style of fighting was initiated by BJJ pioneers and that explains the reason for the widespread applications of BJJ techniques in MMA. IBJJF has played a vital role in the success and fame of BJJ. Its top 20 fighters have won consecutively, revolutionizing the sport.