Roberto Traven

Last updated
Roberto Traven
RobertoTravenCoralBelt.jpg
BornRoberto Traven
(1968-09-16) September 16, 1968 (age 56)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesSpider
Residence Atlanta, Georgia
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
Division Heavyweight
Style Brazilian jiu-jitsu
TeamRoberto Traven BJJ
Rank7th deg. BJJ coral belt
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins6
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision2
Losses4
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision1
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
Grappling
ADCC
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg1999Absolute
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
World Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg1998+100 kg
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg1999+100 kg
Brazilian National Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg1995+100 kg
World Master Championship
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2014Heavy (Master 4)
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg2014Open Class (Master 4)
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2015Heavy (Master 4)
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg2015Open Class (Master 4)
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2016Heavy (Master 4)

Roberto "Spider" Traven (born September 16, 1968) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Coral Belt [1] practitioner. He is a former ADCC Absolute Champion, IBJJF World Champion, and UFC veteran. Traven is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the global BJJ community, known for both his competitive achievements and his coaching legacy. [2]

Contents

Early life and Brazilian jiu-jitsu career

Traven was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16 under Romero "Jacaré" Cavalcanti, [3] founder of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu. He earned his black belt in just four years, training alongside future legends such as Fábio Gurgel, [4] Léo Vieira, [5] and Eduardo "Jamelão" da Conceição. [6] His natural talent and dedication led him to train three times a day, enabling him to quickly rise through the ranks.  He was promoted to Corel Belt (7th degree black) [1] on July 10, 2021.  There are only approximately 50 to 60 living BJJ coral belts worldwide. [2]

Competitive achievements

Mixed martial arts career

Traven made his MMA debut at UFC 11 in 1996, defeating Dave Berry by TKO. He later faced Frank Mir at UFC 34, [14] losing via armbar in the first round. His professional MMA record stands at 6 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with victories in promotions such as UFC, Rings, and IAFC. [7]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
11 matches6 wins4 losses
By knockout22
By submission21
By decision21
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss6–4–1 John Salter KO (punches)Adrenaline MMA 3June 13, 200912:15 Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Draw6–3–1Yukiya NaitoDrawWarriors Realm 3March 15, 200535:00 Brisbane, Australia
Loss6–3 Elvis Sinosic KO (punch)Warriors Realm 1September 3, 200420:35 Queensland, Australia
Loss6–2 Frank Mir Submission (armbar) UFC 34 November 2, 200111:05 Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss6–1 Dave Menne Decision (unanimous) Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A October 9, 200035:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win6–0Mikhail BorissovDecision (unanimous) Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A October 9, 200025:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win5–0Gueorguiev TzvetkovDecision (majority) Rings: Millennium Combine 2 June 15, 200025:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win4–0Maxim TarasovSubmission (rear-naked choke)Absolute Fighting Championship 2April 30, 199712:47 Moscow, Russia Won IAFC 2 Day 1 Tournament
Win3–0Leonid EfremovTKO (submission to punches)Absolute Fighting Championship 2April 30, 199712:54 Moscow, Russia
Win2–0Artyom VilgulevskySubmission (rear-naked choke)Absolute Fighting Championship 2April 30, 199712:28 Moscow, Russia
Win1–0Dave BerryTKO (submission to strikes) UFC 11 September 20, 199611:23 Augusta, Georgia, United States

Grappling record

ResultOpponentMethodEventGi/No-GiDateNotes
LossJefferson MouraSubmission (Triangle) World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - -94 kg Division semi finalsGi2003 [15]
WinCharles FariaPoints World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - -94 kg Division first roundGi2003 [15]
LossTom EricksonN/A ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg first roundNo-Gi2001 [16]
LossMario CruzPoints ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division first roundNo-Gi2001 [16]
Loss Mario Sperry Points ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Super FightNo-Gi2000Silver in ADCC Super Fight [17]
Win Hayato Sakurai Points (2x0) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division finalsNo-Gi1999Wins Gold in Absolute [18]
WinGarth TaylorPoints (5x0) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division semi finalsNo-Gi1999 [18]
WinLuis RobertoPoints (6x0) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division quarter finalsNo-Gi1999 [18]
WinFabiano CapoanePoints (2x0) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division first roundNo-Gi1999 [18]
Loss Jeff Monson Points (0x3) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg Division semi finalsNo-Gi1999 [18]
WinJurie RachelSubmission ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg Division first roundNo-Gi1999 [18]
Win Andre Marques N/A World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division semi finals/ finalsGi1999Wins Second Gold [15]
Win Minotauro Nogueira Points World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division quarter finalsGi1999 [15]
WinJohn MachadoPoints (10x0) World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division finalsGi1998Wins First Gold [15]
WinOtavio DuartePenalty World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division semi finalsGi1998 [15]
WinRoberto GodoiN/A World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division quarter finalsGi1998 [15]

Notable Black Belts Associated with Roberto Traven

Many of Traven’s black belts are instructors at Team Octopus locations or affiliated academies across the U.S., especially in the Southeast. [23]

References

  1. 1 2 "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coral Belt". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Roberto Traven". www.bjjheroes.com.
  3. "Romero Jacare Cavalcanti | BJJ Heroes" . Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  4. Bradshaw, Bobby (2025-06-23). "Fabio Gurgel: The General of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu | Jiu Jitsu Legacy". jiujitsulegacy.com. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  5. jiujitsucentral (2024-02-25). "Leo Vieira: Legendary Jiu-Jitsu Competitor and Coach's Impact on the Martial Arts World". Jiujitsu Central. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  6. "Eduardo 'Jamelão' Conceição | BJJ Heroes". 2011-04-24. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Roberto Traven". www.tapology.com.
  8. "World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 1998". ibjjf.com.
  9. "World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 1999". ibjjf.com.
  10. "World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014". www.ibjjfdb.com.
  11. "Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015". www.ibjjfdb.com.
  12. "World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2016". www.ibjjfdb.com.
  13. "Full Results: The Final Day Of IBJJF No-Gi Worlds". www.flograppling.com.
  14. "Roberto Traven | UFC". www.ufc.com. Archived from the original on 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BJJ Heroes (11 May 2011). "Roberto Traven". BJJ Heroes.
  16. 1 2 "ADCC 2001 – Results". ADCC NEWS.
  17. "ADCC 2000 – Results". ADCC NEWS.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "ADCC 1999 – Results". ADCC NEWS.
  19. says, Emerson (2010-10-06). "Muzio de Angelis | BJJ Heroes" . Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  20. "Jared Dopp | BJJ Heroes" . Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  21. "Raphael Assunção | UFC". www.ufc.com. Archived from the original on 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  22. "Jeff Joslin | BJJ Heroes". 2010-04-02. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  23. "Certified Roberto Traven Affiliate". mongoosejiujitsu.com.