BJJ Idols
What makes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu so great is the community of professors, coaches, athletes, practitioners, school owners, and entrepreneurs that dedicate their lives to this martial art. To honor each one of them, Gallerr presents the section BJJ Idols.
Featured BJJ Idols
Alessandra "Leka" Vieira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer among the female athletes, conquering her first of the three BJJ world titles at the highest rank back in 1999. She is currently a mother of two and teaches at Checkmat school in Valencia, CA. Get to know more about Leka <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/leka-vieira">here</a>.
Alessandra "Leka" Vieira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer among the female athletes, conquering her first of the three BJJ world titles at the high... See more
Alessandra "Leka" Vieira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer among the female athletes, conquering her first of the three BJJ world titles at the highest rank back in 1999. She is currently a mother of two and teaches at Checkmat school in Valencia, CA. Get to know more about Leka <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/leka-vieira">here</a>.
1999 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Alexandre Paiva is a co-founder of BJJ powerhouse Alliance and the chief instructor of Alliance Leblon, RJ. He graduated several world champions such as Fernando Tererê and Leo Leite. Get to know more about "Gigi" <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/alexandre-paiva">here</a>.
1999 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Alexandre Paiva is a co-founder of BJJ powerhouse Alliance and the chief instructor of Alliance Leblon, RJ.... See more
1999 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Alexandre Paiva is a co-founder of BJJ powerhouse Alliance and the chief instructor of Alliance Leblon, RJ. He graduated several world champions such as Fernando Tererê and Leo Leite. Get to know more about "Gigi" <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/alexandre-paiva">here</a>.
Xande Ribeiro is one of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes of all times, a seven-time BJJ world champion as a black belt, and a two-time ADCC winner. He also has a hard to beat time span on top, with titles as far back as the Pan in 2001, and as recent as the IBJJF Worlds in 2015.
Xande Ribeiro is one of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes of all times, a seven-time BJJ world champion as a black belt, and a two-ti... See more
Xande Ribeiro is one of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes of all times, a seven-time BJJ world champion as a black belt, and a two-time ADCC winner. He also has a hard to beat time span on top, with titles as far back as the Pan in 2001, and as recent as the IBJJF Worlds in 2015.
Amaury Bitetti was the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu absolute world champion as a black belt, conquering the IBJJF prestigious tournament in 1996 and 1997 (when we took this photo in his semifinal match against Royler Gracie). He's also the black belt with more BJJ open class titles in the 1990s, being always a Carlson Gracie secure choice to represent his school at the most important division. Get to know more about Bitetti <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/amaury-bitetti-facts-and-bio">here</a>.
Amaury Bitetti was the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu absolute world champion as a black belt, conquering the IBJJF prestigious tournament in 1996 and 1... See more
Amaury Bitetti was the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu absolute world champion as a black belt, conquering the IBJJF prestigious tournament in 1996 and 1997 (when we took this photo in his semifinal match against Royler Gracie). He's also the black belt with more BJJ open class titles in the 1990s, being always a Carlson Gracie secure choice to represent his school at the most important division. Get to know more about Bitetti <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/amaury-bitetti-facts-and-bio">here</a>.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, aka Minotauro, was one of the finest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu representatives during his MMA career time, from 1999 to 2015. He shone both in Japan (Pride and Rings) and the United States (UFC), always impressing the audience with his high-level technical skills and a big heart.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, aka Minotauro, was one of the finest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu representatives during his MMA career time, from 1999 to 2015. H... See more
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, aka Minotauro, was one of the finest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu representatives during his MMA career time, from 1999 to 2015. He shone both in Japan (Pride and Rings) and the United States (UFC), always impressing the audience with his high-level technical skills and a big heart.
In 2015, Bernardo Faria joined an exclusive club of only 11 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes to have the World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship title in the black belt, open weight division. Add to it three more golds in his weight division. In this scene, Bernardo sweeps to conquer his first world championship, in 2010.
In 2015, Bernardo Faria joined an exclusive club of only 11 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes to have the World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship title in th... See more
In 2015, Bernardo Faria joined an exclusive club of only 11 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes to have the World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship title in the black belt, open weight division. Add to it three more golds in his weight division. In this scene, Bernardo sweeps to conquer his first world championship, in 2010.
The young Bia Mesquita is already a 7-time World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship champion (two of these titles being in the open weight division). She has a vast record of majors gold medals such as in the Pan, No Gi Worlds, Euro, and Brazilian Nationals, and is in this photo arm barring her opponent to conquer the 2016 Rio Open.
The young Bia Mesquita is already a 7-time World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship champion (two of these titles being in the open weight division). She... See more
The young Bia Mesquita is already a 7-time World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship champion (two of these titles being in the open weight division). She has a vast record of majors gold medals such as in the Pan, No Gi Worlds, Euro, and Brazilian Nationals, and is in this photo arm barring her opponent to conquer the 2016 Rio Open.
B.J. Penn was the first non-Brazilian black belt to win a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, back in 2000 when we registered this photo. He went to become one of the most accomplished UFC fighters ever afterward.
B.J. Penn was the first non-Brazilian black belt to win a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, back in 2000 when we registered this photo. He we... See more
B.J. Penn was the first non-Brazilian black belt to win a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, back in 2000 when we registered this photo. He went to become one of the most accomplished UFC fighters ever afterward.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Grand Master Carlos Gracie applies a flying armbar on his brother GM Helio Gracie on the 1960s. Under their leadership, BJJ became a powerful tool to help millions of people all over the world.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Grand Master Carlos Gracie applies a flying armbar on his brother GM Helio Gracie on the 1960s. Under their leadership, BJJ bec... See more
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Grand Master Carlos Gracie applies a flying armbar on his brother GM Helio Gracie on the 1960s. Under their leadership, BJJ became a powerful tool to help millions of people all over the world.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red and white belt 8th degree Carlos Gracie Junior poses for a photo in September of 2016. Son of Carlos Gracie, Carlinhos is the founder of Gracie Barra, Graciemag and IBJJF.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red and white belt 8th degree Carlos Gracie Junior poses for a photo in September of 2016. Son of Carlos Gracie, Carlinhos is t... See more
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red and white belt 8th degree Carlos Gracie Junior poses for a photo in September of 2016. Son of Carlos Gracie, Carlinhos is the founder of Gracie Barra, Graciemag and IBJJF.
BJJ Grand Master Carlson Gracie in a photo taken at his infamous school in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro for a celebration of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Nationals excellent result achieved by the union of his students in 1999. Learn more about Carlson <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/carlson-gracie-profile">here</a>.
BJJ Grand Master Carlson Gracie in a photo taken at his infamous school in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro for a celebration of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Na... See more
BJJ Grand Master Carlson Gracie in a photo taken at his infamous school in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro for a celebration of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Nationals excellent result achieved by the union of his students in 1999. Learn more about Carlson <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/carlson-gracie-profile">here</a>.
Claudio Calasans celebrates the Open weight win at the Abu Dhabi Pro, in 2010. It would take five more years for the Atos Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt to conquer the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and the ADCC (also the absolute) and then became one of the most accomplished BJJ athletes of his age. Learn more about Calasans <a href="http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/claudio-calasans-facts-and-bio">here</a>.
Claudio Calasans celebrates the Open weight win at the Abu Dhabi Pro, in 2010. It would take five more years for the Atos Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black... See more
