Photo: Grapple TV

Ricardo Rezende recently made a big splash on the black belt BJJ competition scene as he won the grueling Jiu-Jitsu expo BB grand prix. Ricardo was Born And raised in Campo Grande, Brazil. With 13 years old Professor Ricardo had his first steps in martial arts at FS Pantanal with the guidance of Roberto Cyborg Abreu. With an amazing style of fighting he has won many of the major tournaments at lower belts. Today Ricardo is Master Cyborg right Arm and the head instructor for the FS Warriors Program at Fights Sport Miami. In the interview with BJJ Eastern Europe talks about his accomplishment at the Jiu-Jistu expo and about his BJJ story:

Hi Ricardo, can you please introduce yourself to the BJJ Community of Eastern Europe?

I’m from Campo Grande state of mato grosso do sul, 23 years old black belt under Roberto Abreu cyborg academy Fight Sports Miami, 2 time world champion no-gi purple and brown belt 3 time pan American champion purple and brown belt , Miami open weight and open class black belt , jiu-jitsu expo grand prix black belt.

We know that you’re Cyborg’s student. How did you start training?

In the year of 2003 I use to eat everyday in the same restaurant by my school, one day there was no longer food and tables at the place there was a big square mat and cyborg with he’s first academy in Brasil. I begin the next day and love since first contact. I begin fighting the tournaments in my first month of jiu-jitsu. Move to Miami in 2009 blue belt because cyborg open one fight sports there 5 blocks from the beach and start living jiu-jitsu everyday nothing else to do then training rest sleep eat and go to the beach, the life I ask to god. I keep up my training and got my black belt in 2012.

Ricardo and his master Cybor

How was your training regimen leading up to the GP? 

I have master cyborg taking care of my jiu-jitsu training like I said since im 12 years old , I have one great judo Master Marcus Silva, and for my conditioning training I have Eduardo Ferrino is the best conditioning training in Miami .

How would you describe your Jiu-Jitsu game/style? 

I like to play on top or on button, I have a lot confidence playing on button its where I control the fight.

Photo: Grapple Tv

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

5 years is a lot time from now, I worried what’s happen now that’s the only think we have the control is now, what we have done today became our future.

Please tell us about your academy

My academy fight sports is my refuge there is no other place better to go, such an great energy that lift me up once I walk in step on the mat it’s the place I most love to go. Roberto Abreu Cyborg(owner) is like one dad to everybody .

Please guide us through your performance at the black belt GP

I had 6 fights in total. I have to fight everybody from my group my first fight was against james he submit me in knee bar, my second fight was against Elliot I submit him with choke from the back, my third fight was against the brown belt travis judo black belt I submit him via triangle to arm bar, my last fight to qualify to semi final was against alexander I submit him via triangle to arm bar . after fight everybody me and james qualify to semi final fighting against two guys from group A Jackson souza and Nathan . I defeat Jackson souza by one advantage on semi final, on the final I submit james in toe hold while he was trying to pass my guard.

Which BJJ players do you admire or look up to?

I like to watch Marcus Almeida Buchecha and also all the other fighters learn each different games is the nice of see then fighting in world or adcc tournament, Roberto Abreu cyborg always my biggest motivation.

What is next in 2013/ 2014 for you?

European, pan American, worlds, pan American no gi, worlds no gi Miami open.

If you want to thank somebody or sponsors, feel free.

Thank you Furia jiu jitsu sports , Justin Brunet from fight sports key west thank you Fights Sports Pantanal Roberto Abreu pai Fight Sports Miami Roberto Abreu filho Cyborg osss.