Romulo “Rominho” Barral
Romulo Barral is a retired professional grappler as well as one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaches in the world. Tipped as “The Number 1 BJJ fighter in the world” by Gracie Mag in 2007, Romulo Barral maintained his top tier black belt status in the years that followed with consistent medals at the top jiu-jitsu tournaments, reaching BJJ Heroes’ Top 10 Competitors of All Time ranking. Originally from Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Romulo Barral established his own successful jiu-jitsu academy in California — United States, named Gracie Barra Northridge.
[/ux_text] [accordion][accordion-item title=”Read More”][ux_text text_color=”rgb(0, 0, 0)”]Full name: Rômulo Claudio Barral
Nickname: Rominho. The suffix “inho” in Portuguese is used as an endearing way of saying someone’s name.
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Vinicius Magalhães > Romulo Barral
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2013)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2014/2013/2012/2009/2007)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Masters Championship (2016 Master 1)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2007**)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2016**)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2006/2007)
- 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2009)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2013)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2016/2014/2011/2010**/2009*/2007*)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2016/2009)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2017/2006)
- 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2017/2013/2013*/2006)
* Absolute
Favorite Position/Technique: Spider Guard and Triangle
Weight Division: Meio Pesado (88kg-194lbs)
Association/Team: Gracie-Barra
Nickname: Rominho. The suffix “inho” in Portuguese is used as an endearing way of saying someone’s name.
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Vinicius Magalhães > Romulo Barral
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2013)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2014/2013/2012/2009/2007)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Masters Championship (2016 Master 1)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2007**)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2016**)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2006/2007)
- 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2009)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2013)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2016/2014/2011/2010**/2009*/2007*)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2016/2009)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2017/2006)
- 3rd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2017/2013/2013*/2006)
* Absolute
Favorite Position/Technique: Spider Guard and Triangle
Weight Division: Meio Pesado (88kg-194lbs)
Association/Team: Gracie-Barra
Leo “Leozinho” Vieira
Also known as Leozinho or simply Leo Vieira, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Romero Cavalcanti, being famous for combining one of the most crowd-pleasing games in BJJ with an amazing track record. Leo Vieira was also the co-founder of important teams such as Brasa Clube de Jiu-Jitsu and Checkmat BJJ, becoming in the process one of grappling’s most important coaches by developing athletes such as Marcus Almeida ‘Buchecha’, Lucas Leite, João Assis, and many others. Leozinho is also one of the Top BJJ Competitors of All Time by BJJ Heroes.
[/ux_text] [accordion][accordion-item title=”Read More”][ux_text text_color=”rgb(0, 0, 0)”]Full Name: Leonardo Alcantara Vieira
Nickname: “Leozinho” which means little Leonardo, or just Leo.
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Leonardo Vieira
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place ADCC (2003, 2005)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (1999)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2002/2004)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (1998)
- 2nd Place ADCC (2011/2007)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (1997)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2000)
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (1996 brown)
Weight Division: Peso Leve (76 kg / 167 lbs)
Favorite Position/Technique: Brabo Choke, Guard Passing.
Association/Team: Checkmat
[/ux_text][/accordion-item][/accordion][/col_inner][/row_inner] [row_inner][col_inner span=”6″ span__sm=”12″][ux_image id=”4105″ image_size=”original”][/col_inner] [col_inner span=”6″ span__sm=”12″][ux_text text_color=”rgb(0,0,0)”]Felipe “Preguiça” Pena
Felipe Pena, also known as Felipe “Preguiça” is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and representative of the Gracie Barra – Belo Horizonte academy, as well as a black belt under Marcelo Azevedo. Pena is widely regarded as one of the top jiu-jitsu competitors of his generation, a status cemented through his many wins in events such as the ADCC, Copa Pódio’s HW GP, Brazilian Nationals (Brasileiro), and Abu Dhabi Pro championship. Preguiça is also the younger brother of another well-known grappler: Augusto “Tio Chico” Carsalade.
[/ux_text] [accordion][accordion-item title=”Read More”][ux_text text_color=”rgb(0, 0, 0)”]Full Name: Felipe Carsalade Pena
Nickname: “Preguiça” means lazy, or sloth. The nickname was given by Vinicius “Draculino” when Felipe Pena started practicing jiu-jitsu as a teenager, the reason being he was very lazy and slow from being overweight. The nickname ended up motivating Felipe to train harder.
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Vinicius Magalhães > Marcelo Azevedo > Felipe Pena
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2017*)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship ( 2014 / 2018 / 2019 /2021*)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2015**)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2016*)
- 1st Place BJJ Stars Heavyweight GP (2021)
- 1st Place AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro (2015 / 2016* / 2017 / 2018)
- 1st Place AJP Grand Slam, TYO (2016)
- 1st Place AJP Grand Slam, RJ (2016)
- 1st Place Copa Podio HW Grand Prix (2014 / 2015)
- 1st Place Marianas Invitational (2016 / 2017** / 2018)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2014**)
- 1st Place ADCC Brazilian RJ Trials (2015)
- 2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2015)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2017)
- BJJ Bet Superfight Winner (2020)
Main Achievements (Colored Belts):
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2011** purple, 2012 brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2015**)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2011 purple, 2012 brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2012 brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF South American Championship (2011** brown)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2012 brown)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2012* brown)
- 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2010 purple)
* Absolute
** Weight and absolute
201 Stripped of title by USADA due to PED use
Favorite Technique/Position: Open guard & Back Attacks
Weight Division: Meio Pesado (88kg/194lbs)
Team/Association: Gracie Barra
[/ux_text][/accordion-item][/accordion][/col_inner][/row_inner] [row_inner][col_inner span=”6″ span__sm=”12″][ux_image id=”4107″ image_size=”original”][/col_inner] [col_inner span=”6″ span__sm=”12″][ux_text text_color=”rgb(0,0,0)”]Marco “Xassi” Canha
Marco Canha is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, graduated under the legendary Ricardo Vieira at the Fightzone academy (Checkmat headquarters in Rio de Janeiro). Born in the “Mecca” of jiu-jitsu, Marco Canha made a name for himself as one of the hottest new prospects to come out of the Checkmat Academy, he has since moved to Europe, where he opened up his own affiliate of Fightzone in London (check Fightzone London website).
Full name: Marco Aurelio Oliveira Canha
Nickname: N/A
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Ricardo Vieira > Marco Canha
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place IBJJF London Open (2013/2014 Master 1)
- 1st Place IBJJF London NoGi Open (2013/2014 Master 1)
- 1st Place IBJJF London Winter Open (2019 Master 2)
- 1st Place IBJJF London Fall Open (2018 Master 2)
- 1st Place IBJJF Dublin Open (2018 Master 2)
- 1st Place IBJJF Dublin NoGi Open (2018 Master 2)
- 1st Place UKBJJA British Open (2014)
- 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam Tour, LDN (2019 Master 1)
- 2nd Place IBJJF European No-Gi Open (2012 Master 1)
- 2nd Place IBJJF London Open (2012 Master 1)
- 2nd Place IBJJF London Fall Open (2015 Master 1)
- 2nd Place FJJ-R Rio de Janeiro State Championship (2009)
- 3rd Place FJJ-R Rio de Janeiro State Championship (2009**)
- 3rd Place SWOPBJJ Scandinavian Open (2009)
- 2nd Place UKBJJA NOGI British National Open (2009)
- 2nd CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (Blue Belt Division 1997)
* Absolute
** Weight and absolute
Weight Division: Leve (Lightweight) 76kg-167lbs.
Favorite Position/Technique: Half Guard
Team/Association: Checkmat
[/ux_text][/accordion-item][/accordion][/col_inner][/row_inner] [row_inner][col_inner span=”6″ span__sm=”12″][ux_image id=”4108″ image_size=”original”][/col_inner] [col_inner span=”6″ span__sm=”12″][ux_text text_color=”rgb(0,0,0)”]Ffion Davies
Ffion Davies is a Welsh grappler and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt under Darragh O’Conaill, who is widely regarded as one of the top featherweight competitors of her generation. A judo player for the Wales National Team during her junior years, Davies made a name for herself in the world of BJJ through her many important wins in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) circuit, while representing the East Coast Jiu-Jitsu Academy (ECJJA).C).
[/ux_text] [accordion][accordion-item title=”Read More”][ux_text text_color=”rgb(0, 0, 0)”]Full Name: Ffion Eira Davies
Nickname: N/A
Lineage: Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Royler Gracie > Saulo Ribeiro > (Alexandre Ribeiro >) Darragh O’Conaill > Ffion Davies
Main Achievements:
- 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2022)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2018 / 2021)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2019/2020**)
- 1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2019)
- 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, LDN (2019 / 2020)
- 2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2019)
- 2nd Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2019)
Main Achievements (Colored Belts):
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2018 brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2016 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2015 blue, 2016 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF European Open No-Gi (2018** brown)
- 1st Place ADCC European Trials (2018)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2016/2017 purple)
- 2nd Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2018 brown)
- 2nd Place IBJJF European Open (2018 brown)
* Absolute
** Weight and absolute
Favorite Position/Technique: Armbar
Weight Division: Peso Pena (58,50 kg / 129.0 lbs)
Team/Association: East Coast Jiu-Jitsu
Ffion Davies Biography
Ffion Eira Davies was born on January 18, 1995, in Swansea, Wales.
Showing interest in physical activities from a young age, Ffion was signed on to different sports from a young age, namely rugby and judo – a martial art she joined at the age of 8, and competed extensively, becoming a Welsh and British Open champion (junior division) as well as a member of the Welsh National Judo team.
Although judo was a big part of her childhood, during her adolescence Davies struggled with self-confidence and felt she didn’t have any solid friendships on the team. Growing disenchanted with the sport, Ffion decided to take a break from any competitive activities. She returned to judo aged 17 for a brief period, but by then the love for the game had faded and once again decided to step away.
In 2013 Ffion Davies found out about mixed martial arts (MMA) and in November that year, decided to join a gym. It was through MMA training that Davies discovered jiu-jitsu, finding similarities to judo but with lesser restrictions, Ffion quickly fell in love with the gi once again.
Swansea BJJ pioneer Chris Rees became Ffion’s first BJJ instructor, one who graded Davies with her blue belt. Although still linked with the Rees affiliation up until her purple belt, soon after her promotion, Ffion and her then-boyfriend chose to sever ties with CRA, to join forces with Darragh O’Conaill‘s East Coast BJJ academy. With EC’s headquarters set in Ireland, the couple followed coach Darragh’s program from a satellite gym set in Cardiff (WAL) – CF24. On June 2018, after splitting from her partner – owner of CF24, Davies decided to spend some time in Ireland, training with coach O’Conaill.
Finding Irish living to be a very positive experience, Ffion decided to prolong her stay and settle in Dublin, and it would be there that Davies was promoted to black belt, on November 27, 2018, by coach Darragh O’Conaill.
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