BJ Penn

In 1997 Penn began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ralph Gracie, eventually earning his purple belt from Gracie. At that point he moved to Nova União where he was eventually awarded his black belt in 2000 by Andre Pederneiras. A few weeks later he became the first non-Brazilian to win the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While Penn’s most well-known and prestigious achievement was placing first in the black belt division in the 2000 world championships, he had success at the Mundials in previous years. In 1999, at the age of 20, Penn finished 3rd, earning himself a bronze medal in the brown belt division, losing only to Fernando “Tererê” Augusto, and in 1998, earned a silver medal, placing 2nd in the blue belt division. Penn is thought to have earned the fastest legitimate black belt of all active Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners (tied with two others).

Robert Drysdale

Drysdale is one of the most decorated American Grapplers of his generation. A black belt under Leo Vieira is a profuct of a mixed marriage – his mother is Brazilian. Drysdale grew up in Brazil in part. There he got to be a part of the Brasa team – one of the influential teams of the era. Drysdale managed to win IBJJF Wrolds in 2005! He went on to win the ADCC in 2007. Todya Drysdale is at the helm of Zenith BJJ along with Rodrigo Cavaca, spawning many successful academies around the world.

Rafael Lovato Jr 

Rafael Lovato Jr the first ever non Brazilian to win the Brazilian National Championships at black belt level. He followed up that outstanding record with another one – he was also the first to win Open weight in 2013.

Way back in 2007 he managed to win the coveted IBJJF Worlds Title.

Lovato Jr managed to come in first in the Super Heavy division leaving behind Rodrigo Cavaca, Vinny Magalhaes and Luis Felipe Theodoro.

Michael Musumeci

Musumeci is the latest addition to the prestigious club having just secured gold in a tough finale against Joao Miyao. Musameci managed to write his name in the history at age 20. He is a black belt under UFC fighter Gilbert Durinho Burns and Jonatas Tagarela Gurgel. Musameci’s talent was apparent very early on and he’s won world titles from juvenile blue to brown belt.

KNEE CUT PASS ATTEMPT // here’s a cool kneecut position I worked in my finals match from yesterday! My homie @aj_sousa would do this pass to me and I learned it from him!! Hope you guys like the position! OSSS ? @flograppling @gameness_sports

A post shared by Tammi and Mikey Musumeci (@musumecibjj) on Jun 5, 2017 at 5:56pm PDT

Musameci writes:

2017 BLACK BELT LIGHT FEATHER WORLD CHAMPION // Hey guys. Well let me say that yesterday was the greatest day of my life. I won my first black belt world title! This has been my dream since I was about 10 years old and I just can’t believe I did it! I had the hardest bracket of my life I fought such tough people every match but I was able to pull through and win! I have so many people to thank for me winning this title and I will make many posts doing so but for now I will just thank my coach @caioterrabjj for coaching me every match in between his matches while he was competing and helping me so much this year! Also I would like to thank my professor @emyrbussade for teaching me the obsession and love of jiu jitsu. My big brother and coach @gilbert_burns I would like to thank @mendesbros @bmalfacine@jonatasgurgel for their inspiration guidance and technique over the years super grateful for what I have learned from them. My crew in Las Vegas that are family to me