List of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners

This is a list of notable Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ranking system awards practitioners different colored belts for increasing levels of knowledge and skill. The system shares its origins with Judo but now has its own character that has become synonymous with the art, including an informality in promotional criteria and a conservative approach to promotion in general. While black belt is commonly viewed as the highest rank of attainment, a practitioner who achieves the rank of 7th degree in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is recognized by a belt of alternating red-and-black. In 2013, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation adopted the alternating red-and-white belt to acknowledge the achievement of 8th degree. (similar to Judo's substitution of an alternating white-and-red belt at the 6th, 7th, and 8th degree). At the 9th and 10th degree the practitioner is awarded a solid red belt, identical to Judo. These exceptional belts are awarded to denote the exceptional status of their wearer and his or her knowledge and overall contribution to the art.

The following individuals are particularly notable practitioners holding these respective ranks:

The 10th degree red belt was given only to the pioneers of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Gracie brothers:

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