Highest graded
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ranking system awards practitioners different colored belts for increasing levels of knowledge and skill. [1] [2] The system shares its origins with Judo but now has its own character that has become synonymous with the art, including an informality in promotional criteria and a conservative approach to promotion in general generally resulting in a longer time to reach black belt. While black belt is commonly viewed as the highest rank of attainment, a practitioner who achieves the rank of 7th degree in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is recognized by a belt of alternating red-and-black. In 2013, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation adopted the alternating red-and-white belt to acknowledge the achievement of 8th degree. (similar to Judo's substitution of an alternating white-and-red belt at the 6th, 7th, and 8th degree). [3] At the 9th and 10th degree the practitioner is awarded a solid red belt, identical to Judo. [3] These exceptional belts are awarded to denote the exceptional status of their wearer and his or her knowledge and overall contribution to the art. [2]
The following individuals are particularly notable practitioners holding these respective ranks:
10th degree (10º grau)
The 10th degree red belt was originally only given to the pioneers of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Gracie brothers. There are no living 10th degree red belts: [1]
- Carlos Gracie – (Brazil, 1902–94) was taught judo by Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese immigrant to Brazil who was then a 4th dan Kodokan judoka. Carlos then passed the teachings on to his brothers Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., Jorge, and Hélio. In 1925, the brothers opened their first academy in Brazil, marking the beginning of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. [4]
- Hélio Gracie – (Brazil, 1913–2009) was a Brazilian martial artist who, together with his brother Carlos Gracie, founded the martial art of Gracie jiu-jitsu, known internationally as Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). Until his death, Gracie was the only living 10th degree master of that system, and is widely considered as one of the first sports heroes in Brazilian history. [5]
- Luiz França Filho – (Brazil, 1910–1982) was a Brazilian martial artist and one of the primary founders of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, particularly the non-Gracie lineage. Despite being a pioneer of BJJ he was never awarded with the 10th degree red belt.
- Oswaldo Fadda – (Brazil, 1920–2005), a student of França, was posthumously awarded a 10th degree red belt, and is considered one of the most important non-Gracie lineage pioneers. [6]
9th degree (9º grau)
- Pedro Hemeterio – The first student under master Helio Gracie to achieve the red belt, represented the Gracie Academy in many challenges and taught jiu-jitsu in São Paulo State for more than three decades. [7] Hemeterio passed away in 2009.
- João Alberto Barreto – A Grand Master and one of the most important figures in the BJJ community. A red belt under Helio Gracie, he is famed for his unbeaten competitive record in the 1950s. He is the brother of GM Alvaro Barreto and GM Sergio Barreto. [8]
- Alvaro Barreto – Grand Master Alvaro Barreto is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu red belt (9th degree) and one of the most important men in BJJ, being also the brother of GM João Alberto Barreto and GM Sergio Barreto. [9]
- Flavio Behring – head coach of Behring Jiu-Jitsu Association, Flavio teaches seminars over the world and hold affiliated academies in Europe. [10]
- Carlson Gracie – Son of Carlos Gracie, trainer of UFC fighters, with a very successful professional fight career. [11]
- Carley Gracie – Son of Carlos Gracie and former Jiu-Jitsu and Vale Tudo Champion.
- Geny Rebello – Grandmaster given a commemorative tournament by the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro [12]
- Armando Wridt – Undefeated vale-tudo fighter who is one of only seven people to receive a red belt from Hélio Gracie [13]
- Pedro Valente Sr. – A plastic surgeon and close friend of Hélio Gracie since 1953. In younger years took up arms to defend the former governor of the state of Rio, Leonel Brizola. [14] [15]
- Wilson Mattos – Perhaps the oldest student of Oswaldo Fadda. [16]
- Luis Carlos Guedes de Castro – Another black belt under Oswaldo Fadda. Among many accomplishments as a teacher and competitor, Guedes disarmed a gangster in a crowded Rio de Janeiro train who was robbing the occupants with a pistol. [17]
- Francisco Mansor – One of only six people to be granted a professor's diploma by Hélio Gracie. Founder of Kioto Academy. [18]
- Rorion Gracie – One of the founders of the UFC who was instrumental in bringing No-Holds Barred Fighting to North America. [19]
- Relson Gracie – Son of Helio Gracie and Brazilian national champion for an unprecedented 22 years. Founder of Relson Gracie gyms. [20]
- Carlos Antonio Rosado – The only red belt to receive it from the late Carlson Gracie. [21]
- Renato Paquet – A grandmaster who had a judo black belt and two boxing titles in addition to his red belt. [22]
- Francisco Sá (Sazinho) – Known for his morals and honor in martial arts and in particular in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he died in 2013 at age 77. [23]
- Robson Gracie (also known as Carlos Robson Gracie) – President of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro. [24]
- Reyson Gracie is the third son of Gracie jiu jitsu founder, Carlos Gracie who became a 9th degree red belt in the family's martial art. Reyson is regarded as the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the state of Amazonas, a state that became one of the most important hives in Brazil and the world for jiu jitsu. He has also had a big impact in the development of jiu jitsu in the state of Bahia. [25]
- Rickson Gracie – The son of Hélio Gracie with an undefeated MMA career. He received his red belt on 6 July 2017, from his older brother, Rorion Gracie. [26] [27] He has since rejected his red belt and continues to wear his coral belt because he feels that to be legitimate the rank must come from a committee of Jiu Jitsu practitioners within an organization and not just be based on the decision of one person, in this case his older brother. [28]
- Ricardo Murgel – Black belt 9th degree under grandmaster Flavio Behring. [29]
- Derval Luciano Rêgo (Mestre Morcego) – Founder of the FJJ-PE (Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado de Pernambuco) and co-founder of the CBJJ/IBJJF. Black belt under the lineage of Jacê Paulino de Albuquerque and Owaldo Fadda. Known for a draw match against the legendary Rolls Gracie at the end of the sixties in Rio de Janeiro. [30]
- Marcus Soares – Black belt under Carlson Gracie, and founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Canada.
- Paulo Mauricio Strauch - Black belt under Reylson Gracie
8th degree (8º grau)
- Sylvio Behring – Son of Flavio Behring, father of Ian Behring. Founder/developer of the "Sistema Progressivo de Jiu Jitsu" (Progressive System), a teaching tool to help develop the foundations of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense for students of all levels. [31] Among notable students is Fabrício Werdum, to whom Mestre Behring awarded a black belt. [32]
- Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti – Founder and head coach of Alliance Jiu Jitsu team, one of only six people promoted to black belt by Rolls Gracie.
- Luiz Fux – Current minister of the Supreme Federal Court.
- Mauricio Motta Gomes – One of only six Rolls Gracie black belts and father of multiple World Champion Roger Gracie. [33]
- Carlos Gracie, Jr. – Founder of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Founder of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Gracie Barra. [34]
- Rilion Gracie – Son of Carlos Gracie [35]
- Royler Gracie – Son of Helio Gracie who headed the Gracie Humaitá jiu-jitsu school in Rio de Janeiro. Won multiple Mundial (World), Pan-American, and ADCC championships. [36] [37] [38]
- Rigan Machado – Credited with 365 wins and 2 losses in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition [39]
- Fabricio Martins – Black belt under Osvaldo Alves Head Instructor: Equipe – Fabricio JJ and Team Fabricio JJ ( Copacabana Brazil ). Awarded his 8th degree by Osvaldo Alves in 2020. [40]
- Joe Moreira – Pioneer of Brazilian jiu-jitsu within the United States [41]
- Moises Muradi – Founder of Lotus Club Jiu-Jitsu, Moises started Jiu Jitsu with Professor Orlando Saraiva (Carlson Gracie black belt), where he trained up to brown belt, later trained with Otavio De Almeida (Father), where he graduated black belt, Moises is one of the most important teachers in history of the Jiu Jitsu of the city of São Paulo, he founded the first Jiu-Jitsu federation of São Paulo and also the Sports Jiu-Jitsu Confederation (CBJJE). [42]
- Arthur Virgílio Neto – Elected mayor of Manaus and former Federal Senator. [43]
- Sérgio Penha – Known for a match against Rickson Gracie, bypassed brown belt on his way to achieving black belt [44]
- Pedro Sauer – Helio and Rickson Gracie black belt. US military and law enforcement trainer, once voted "Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructors" [45]
- Márcio Stambowsky – "Macarrão" began training at age 15 under Rolls Gracie, becoming one of the Famous Five to earn a black belt under his tutelage. [46]
7th degree (7º grau)
- Royce Gracie – Son of Hélio Gracie, UFC Hall of Famer. [47] Like his brother, Rickson, Royce has rejected his coral belt and instead wears a dark blue belt, which is the traditional belt of a master instructor in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu prior to the rank structure introduced by the Jiu Jitsu federation in 1969. [48]
- Renzo Gracie – the son of 9th degree red belt Robson Gracie.
- André Vianna – Founder of the Ookamibjj team and on-line JiuJitsubjj Magazine, a student trained by Master Oswaldo Fadda and Master Alexandre (Chandú)
- Rolker Gracie – a prominent member of the Gracie family and the fourth son of Helio Gracie. Along with his younger brother Royler Gracie he is associated with the Gracie Humaitá jiu-jitsu school. [49]
- Carlos "Caique" Elias – One of only a handful of non-Gracies to receive a black belt directly from Hélio Gracie. Received his red-and-black belt from Rickson Gracie in March 2009. Former instructor at the original Gracie Humaitá and then at the Gracie Academy in California. Founder of the Caique Jiu Jitsu network of schools.
- Sergio “Malibu” Jardim – Earned his coral belt by the hands of Rickson Gracie in 2011 [50]
- Jean Jacques Machado – Captured every major title and competition award in Brazil, has appeared in several TV shows and movies [51] [52] [53]
- Fábio Santos (fighter) – Trained at Rolls Gracie Academy. Received Black Belt from Rickson Gracie and received Red and Black from Relson Gracie. [54]
- Aloisio Silva – Black belt under Carlos Gracie founder of Dojo jiu-jitsu and Aloisio Silva BJJ. One of the first Jiu-Jitsu masters to teach women and was the first Jiu-jitsu professor to make a female jiu-jitsu black belt world champion [55]
- Carlos Valente – Began training at 8 years old under Rolls Gracie. Received his black belt from Rickson Gracie and was awarded 7th degree from Robson Gracie in 2011. [56] [57]
- Ricardo De La Riva – Founder of the De La Riva guard.
- Murilo Bustamante – Retired mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion. He is one of the founders of the Brazilian Top Team and is the current leader.
- Nelson Monteiro – Helped establish Brazilian jiu-jitsu in San Diego, California, where he was the private instructor of Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nayan [58] before moving to Abu Dhabi to establish the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship. [58] Awarded his 7th degree from Carlos Gracie, Jr. on 6 October 2019.
