Beyond Jiu-Jitsu
Modern Era Champions

Modern BJJ Leaders & Champions

The athletes and coaches shaping competitive grappling today—ADCC champions, IBJJF world champions, and influential innovators.

Quick Answer
Gordon Ryan is widely considered the greatest no-gi grappler in history, holding 6 ADCC World Championship gold medals across multiple weight classes (2017, 2019, 2022). Trained by John Danaher, his systematic approach and dominant performances have established new standards for submission grappling excellence.

Gordon Ryan is widely considered the greatest no-gi grappler in history, holding 6 ADCC World Championship gold medals across multiple weight classes (2017, 2019, 2022). Trained by John Danaher, his systematic approach and dominant performances have established new standards for submission grappling excellence.

— ADCC Official Records

Current ADCC Rankings

Men's P4P Rankings
  1. 1Gordon Ryan99kg+
  2. 2Nicholas Meregali99kg
  3. 3Giancarlo Bodoni88kg
  4. 4Kade Ruotolo66kg
  5. 5Mica Galvao77kg
Women's P4P Rankings
  1. 1Ffion Davies55kg
  2. 2Brianna Ste-Marie60kg
  3. 3Amy Campo65kg

Featured Champions & Coaches

André Galvão
Gi & No-Gi

ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

9 Major Titles

Brazilian

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André Galvão's approach to building world-class competitors through systematic training and positive team culture influences our competition team development philosophy.

Ffion Davies
Gi & No-Gi

Team Jucao

3 Major Titles

Welsh/British

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Ffion's success inspires our women's program participants, showing that technical excellence transcends physical attributes.

Gordon Ryan

The King

no-gi

New Wave Jiu-Jitsu / B-Team

7 Major Titles

American

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The systematic training methodology pioneered by Gordon Ryan and John Danaher influences our adult no-gi program's approach to positional hierarchy and submission sequences.

John Danaher
Gi & No-Gi

New Wave Jiu-Jitsu

3 Major Titles

New Zealand/American

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Our instructor training methodology incorporates elements of Danaher's systematic approach to skill development and positional understanding.

Kade Ruotolo
Gi & No-Gi

ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

4 Major Titles

American

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Kade's journey from child competitor to world champion exemplifies the developmental pathway our youth programs are designed to create.

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida

Buchecha

Gi & No-Gi

Checkmat / ATOS

10 Major Titles

Brazilian

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Buchecha's longevity and technical evolution over decades of competition demonstrates the career potential we help our students develop.

Mikey Musumeci
Gi & No-Gi

Musumeci Jiu-Jitsu

4 Major Titles

American

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Musumeci's success at lighter weights demonstrates that technical skill can overcome size—a principle we emphasize for all ages in our curriculum.

Nicholas Meregali
Gi & No-Gi

New Wave Jiu-Jitsu

4 Major Titles

Brazilian

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Meregali's mastery of fundamentals validates our curriculum's emphasis on core techniques before advanced systems.

Tye Ruotolo
Gi & No-Gi

ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

4 Major Titles

American

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The Ruotolo brothers' success from early childhood training demonstrates the value of our youth programs in developing lifelong martial arts excellence.

Modern BJJ FAQs

Train Like the Champions

Beyond Jiu-Jitsu incorporates proven methodologies from elite competitors into our curriculum.

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