Find out more about the top figures in jiu-jitsu today: athletes, competitors, coaches and more.
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.Nicholas Meregali
Nov 6, 2017
Nicholas Meregali is multiple-time world champion jiu-jitsu black belt from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Born on May 27, 1994, Meregali is a student of Mario Reis and is well known for his use of the de la X-guard, his omoplata attacks, and his aggressive style of jiu-jitsu. He represents Alliance.Kennedy Maciel
Nov 6, 2017
Kennedy Maciel is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who competes in the featherweight division. The son of two-time ADCC champion Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles, Maciel is often nicknamed "Cobrinha Jr.". Maciel is a 2019 ADCC silver medalist and a 2020 IBJJf Pan No-Gi champion. He was born in Sao Carlos, Brazil on January 2, 1997. He lives and trains in Los Angeles, CA and represents the Alliance team.Andrew Tackett
Jun 4, 2020
Andrew Tackett is a Brazilian jiujitsu competitor and one of the 16 contestants on the FloGrappling Who's Next: Submission Fighter Challenge presented by Tezos reality TV show. Born on May 1, 2003 and training out of Austin, Texas, Andrew Tackett is a brown belt representing Checkmat. He is best known for his aggressive style and no-hold-barred attitude on and off the mats.Nicky Ryan
Nov 6, 2017
Nicky Ryan– born June 27, 2001– is a jiu-jitsu black belt from New Jersey known as a no-gi grappler who made history as the youngest male athlete to compete at the ADCC World Championships.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.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.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.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.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.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.Andre Galvao
Nov 6, 2017
Andre Galvao is a jiu-jitsu black belt and champion grappler with ADCC and IBJJF World Championship titles. Co-founder of the Atos team, Galvao is head coach at the San Diego Atos HQ to many world champions. His athletes have also gone on to win the ADCC World Championships, and the IBJJF World Championships. The Atos team is considered one of the top teams in the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.Michael Perez
Sep 17, 2019
Michael Perez is a jiu-jitsu black belt competitor and ADCC veteran best known for his no-gi accomplishments. Born on September 14, 1992 Perez lives in San Diego, CA. He received his black belt from Andre Galvao and represents Atos Jiu-Jitsu. He is an IBJJF World No-Gi champion at brown and purple belt and a two-time ADCC Trials veteran (2013, 2015).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.