Who Holds the Most Prestigious Black Belts in BJJ Among Current UFC Ranked Fighters?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has deep roots in MMA and some UFC fighters boast truly elite BJJ black belts. But not all belts are created equal—lineage matters. Here’s a breakdown of some of the more notable UFC black belts and their origins.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 07: (L-R) Charles Oliveira of Brazil secures a rear choke submission against Justin Gaethje in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 274 event at Footprint Center on May 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
The Fighters and Their Lineage
- 🇺🇸 Sean Brady: First-degree black belt under Daniel Gracie, a direct link to the Gracie family tree.
- 🇺🇸 Brian Ortega: First-degree black belt under Rener Gracie, another strong Gracie connection.
- 🇧🇷 Rafael dos Anjos: Fourth-degree black belt under Aldo Januário, who earned his belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. This lineage is as close to BJJ royalty as it gets.
- 🇺🇸 Aljamain Sterling: First-degree black belt under Matt Serra, who was promoted by Renzo Gracie. Serra himself is a household name in MMA and BJJ circles.
- 🇺🇸 Mario Bautista: First-degree black belt under John Crouch, who received his belt from Royce Gracie, a true pioneer of MMA.
- 🇧🇷 José Aldo: First-degree black belt under André Pederneiras, a student of Carlson Gracie. Aldo’s belt lineage is steeped in MMA and BJJ history.
- 🇧🇷 Charles Oliveira: Fourth-degree black belt under Jorge Patino, whose lineage traces back to Valdomiro Perez. While Oliveira’s belt didn’t come directly from the Gracies, his ground game in the Octagon speaks for itself.
- 🇧🇷 Gilbert Burns: Third-degree black belt under Rafael Barros, a student of André Pederneiras. Burns’ credentials are widely respected in both the BJJ and MMA worlds.
- 🇧🇷 Caio Borralho: First-degree black belt under Wagner Mota, who earned his belt from Eduardo Telles.
- 🇺🇸 Brendan Allen: First-degree black belt under Daniel Wanderley, a student of Gutenberg Melo.
Why Lineage Matters
The roots of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu trace back to the Gracie family, who adapted the classical Japanese techniques taught by Mitsuyo Maeda. Black belts directly tied to the Gracie lineage are often regarded as more prestigious, given the family’s role in establishing and refining BJJ as we know it.
Breaking It Down
- Most Prestigious Lineages: Fighters like Sean Brady and Brian Ortega stand out because their belts come directly from Gracie family members. This direct connection adds a layer of prestige to their BJJ credentials.
- Highly Ranked Yet Distanced Lineage: Rafael dos Anjos’ fourth-degree black belt is immensely impressive, as it directly traces back to Carlos Gracie Jr. Similarly, José Aldo’s lineage through André Pederneiras remains elite.
- Charles Oliveira’s Unique Case: Oliveira’s fourth-degree black belt, while undeniably a mark of mastery, has a lineage less directly tied to the Gracie family. This, however, doesn’t diminish his in-cage dominance or his BJJ prowess—it’s just a historical nuance.
Final Thoughts
While a direct Gracie lineage holds undeniable prestige, it’s the fighters’ application of BJJ in the Octagon that truly sets them apart. Whether it’s dos Anjos with his years of championship-level experience or Oliveira’s record-breaking submissions, these fighters prove that mastery of BJJ is more than just about the belt—it’s about how you use it.
