Find out more about the top figures in jiu-jitsu today: athletes, competitors, coaches and more.
Ffion Davies
Dec 31, 2019
Ffion Davies is a jiu-jitsu black belt from Wales. The reigning WNO 125lb champion, she was the first UK-born ADCC medalist, and also the first IBJJF black belt No-Gi World champion from the UK.Kade Ruotolo
Nov 30, 2019
Kade Ruotolo is the WNO 155lb champion. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor from California he was born on January 22, 2003. Ruotolo trains out of San Diego, CA under coach Andre Galvao and represents the Atos team. He is the twin brother of Tye Ruotolo.Gordon Ryan
Nov 1, 2017
Gordon Ryan– born July 8, 1995– is a jiu-jitsu black belt from New Jersey best known as a no-gi submission specialist, a five-time ADCC World champion, and the Tezos WNO heavyweight champion.Yuri Simoes
Nov 2, 2017
Yuri Simoes is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and MMA fighter from Rio de Janeiro. He is a two-time ADCC champion in different weight classes, winning gold in 2015 at -88kg and 2017 in the -99kg division. Born on June 18, 1990, Simoes trains under coach Caio Terra in San Jose, CA and represents Brasa CTA. He is four-time IBJJF World No-Gi champion, winning double gold in 2014 and 2016. In 2020 he made his professional MMA debut with ONE Championship.Jacob Couch
Nov 2, 2020
Jacob Couch is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Hazard, Kentucky nicknamed 'The Hillbilly Hammer'. Couch trains under coach Heath Pedigo and represents Pedigo Submission Fighting. Couch shot to fame when he first appeared in Episode 3 of the Daisy Fresh: An American Jiu-Jitsu Story documentary series.Kaynan Duarte
Apr 19, 2019
Kaynan Duarte is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Pederneiras, Sao Paulo. Born on January 24, 1998, Duarte trains under Andre Galvao and represents the San Diego-based Atos team. He is the 2019 ADCC champion in the +99kg division.Fabricio Andrey
Nov 2, 2020
Hailing from Manaus in Brazil, Fabricio Andrey is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Melqui Galvao. Born on March 5, 2000, Andrey received his black belt in August 2020. Andrey formerly represented Alliance and is now part of Fight Sports.Vagner Rocha
Nov 1, 2017
Vagner Rocha is a professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and former MMA fighter. Born in Brazil June 6, 1982 Rocha moved to the U.S. at a young age and was raised in Florida. A UFC veteran, Rocha has enjoyed success primarily in no-gi grappling events. He is an ADCC silver and bronze medalist, making the podium in 2019 and 2017 respectively. He represents Fight Sports.PJ Barch
Jun 4, 2020
Paul Jacob "PJ" Barch is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Eddie Bravo who represents 10th Planet. Born on October 9, 1989, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Barch trains with Richie and Geo Martinez and is a professional no-gi competitor. Barch grew up in a wrestling family and has been on the mats since a young age. He switched to MMA and in 2011, switched to jiu-jitsu. He earned his black belt in 2016. Barch is 2x Onnit Invitational Champ, a Finishers Only Champ, and a Sapateiro Invitational Champ.Victor Hugo
Sep 17, 2019
Victor Hugo is a black belt under Saulo and Xande Ribeiro, and a no-gi world champion, recognized as one of the most promising young competitors of the next generation. Born in Fortaleza, Brazil on May 1, 1997, Hugo won all four of the IBJJF majors at the purple belt and brown belt levels, and won his first black belt no-gi world title after just six months at the rank.Jessie Crane
Nov 2, 2020
Jessie Crane is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt from Dallas, TX. Born on September 7, 2001, Crane trains under Marcus Antelante and represents Ares BJJ. She is a two time blue belt Worlds gold medalist, a blue belt No-Gi Worlds champion, and a purple belt No-Gi Worlds silver medalist.Dante Leon
Nov 6, 2017
Dante Leon is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt No-Gi World champion. Based in Toledo, Ohio, he represents GF Team Team. Leon was born on May 6, 1995, in Ontario, Canada. He competes in the middleweight division (181.6lbs).William Tackett
Oct 28, 2019
William Tackett is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from Austin, TX. Born on May 14, 2001, Tackett represents the Checkmat team. A top-10 ranked 185lb grappler, he is the older brother of Andrew Tackett and trains under coach Rodrigo Cabral at the Brazilian Fight Factory gym.Mica Galvao
Mar 4, 2020
Micael Galvao, popularly known as "Mica", is a jiu-jitsu competitor from Manaus, Brazil. Born on October 8, 2003, Galvao is known for his early success in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and no-gi grappling. As a teenager, Galvao submitted black belts in both gi and no-gi tournaments. He is a 2021 Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 77kg black belt division. His father Melqui Galvao runs Fight Sports Manaus.Tye Ruotolo
Sep 23, 2019
Tye Ruotolo is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor from California. He is the current WNO champion in two divisions, holding both the 170lb and 185lb title belts. Born on January 22, 2003, Ruotolo trains out of San Diego, CA under coach Andre Galvao and represents the Atos team. He is the twin brother of Kade Ruotolo.