While Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters may be a lot younger than their Japanese ancestor, they certainly made up in history what was lacking in age. Since the days of Hélio Gracie, thousands of warriors have walked through the mat, fighting their way into the sport’s lore and tradition.
So, in this article we’ve decided to tell you a bit more about those legends of Jiu Jitsu: fighters that earned their reputation and their place in the martial art’s history – with their winnings, their ability, and (most of all) their discipline and perseverance.
Here’s our list of TOP 5 Jiu Jitsu Fighters of Our Times to inspire you in your journey through the mat. After all, who’s to say that you won’t be the next name amongst them?
5. Bernardo Faria
The first name of this list gained his reputation by steamrolling any guard that his adversaries could come up with. Brazilian, born in the city of Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais), Faria trained in the same Brazilian Top Team gym as our head-coach, Fernando Halfeld.
He’s four times World Jiu Jitsu Champion and many times European Champion, Pan-American Champion and Brazilian National Champion. But, according to Gracie Mag, Faria earned his place in Jiu Jitsu history in the 2015 World Championship, in which he finished almost undefeated, with the highlight of forcing Leandro Lo – another name of this list – to yield, using a relentless armlock.
Faria currently teaches at his own gym, in Bedford (MA), as a member of the Alliance Jiu Jitsu team.
4. Alexandre Ribeiro
“Xande” has a lot of admirers in the sport, and they aren’t shy in their praise. Brazilian from Manaus (Amazonas), Ribeiro was born in a family of champions and was determined to match his brother’s titles. Well… he ended up surpassing them.
He’s many times World Jiu Jitsu Champion and Pan-American Champion, two times ADCC Champion and won one World Cup and one Nogi World Cup. All that record earned him the 1th place at the BJJ Heroes – Top BJJ Competitors of All Time list, up until 2020.
With an impregnable guard – which was only passed two times in his whole career -, Alexandre brought to the mat a strategic component of surprise that was rarely seen before, catching many adversaries off guard. Including the illustrious Roger Gracie, defeated by him in two World Championship finals.
He currently teaches at his School Six Blades Jiu Jitsu in Austin (TX) and runs his own team, under the same name.
3. André Galvão
André Galvão (“Deco”, for his friends) is regarded as one of the best fighters ever seen in the sport. Originally a Judo practitioner, Galvão made his name in Jiu Jitsu with an assertive style, relying on technique and facing his adversaries without hesitation.
It earned him eight Pan-American Championships, four World Championships, 2 ADCC Championships and an MMA record of five wins to two draws. After all that, he still found time to write a book called “Drill to Win: One Year to Better Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”, where he teaches BJJ technique through proper diet, callisthenics and technical drills.
Galvão currently runs the Atos Jiu Jitsu Academy, in San Diego (CA).
2. Leandro Lo
With unique abilities and style on the mat, it’s only natural that Lo is also unusual in the matters of lists: his place amongst the TOP 5 fighters of our times is undisputed.
The five-time World Jiu Jitsu Champion is regarded as a hot favorite in any competition that he enters. His unpredictable and loose style – in passing as much as in guarding – earned him a quick entry in Jiu Jitsu’s history. He’s many times World Cup Champion, Pan-American Champion, Brazilian National Champion and two times European Champion.
Having piled up all those titles, in 2018 Lo decided to match Saulo Ribeiro (Alexandre’s older brother) in the record of 4 World titles in 4 different weight classes. He reached the final against Mahamed Aly, but was forced to quit after a horrific throw dislocated his shoulder.
Despite still being scheduled for the final of the open weight class against Marcus Almeida “Buchecha”, with the injury, there was no chance Lo would be able to compete. And the hope of matching Saulo’s record was pretty much lost.
But “Buchecha” made other plans. And the rest is history.
1. Roger Gracie
Saying that Roger Gracie is the most successful fighter in the history of the sport it’s probably an understatement. His record is pretty much impeccable and if there’s ever a Jiu Jitsu hall of fame, his statue will definitely be there.
The grandson of Carlos Gracie is the only 10 times World Champion in history. In his 75 official high-level fights, in 61 he finished his adversaries and lost only seven times. Yielding in none of them.
His classic style earned him the nickname “blanket”: in the 2009 World Championship, he stifled all the opponents he faced. This efficient approach to the fight (unbreakable in defence and deadly when attacking) also got him a couple of Pan-American Championships, European Championships, ADCC championships and an honorable passage in the UFC octagon.
Did you get inspired?
If you wanna know more about how to improve your techniques and become a more prepared fighter, just come over to the School of Jiu Jistu and schedule your free style class.