Fernando “Margarida” Pontes is in the Top 10 of best Jiu-Jitsu competitors of all time. In the early 2000’s, he was on top of the world having won the weight and absolute at the 2001 Mundials (youngest person ever to win the double at black belt). He defeated Saulo Ribeiro in both finals.
After that his career was up and down as he was training for Jiu-Jitsu and MMA at the same time (at BTT). He did reach the second place of the Copa do Mundo in 2004 (2nd to Jacare Souza).

He hasn’t been in the limelight since then.

Riccardo Ammendolia has made a great tribut Highlight of Maragarida.

Ammendolia analysed his game:

Fernando “Margardia” Pontes 2018 HL // In the early 2000’s, there was definitely no doubt that Margarida’s performances and abilities in competition were truly on another level. Margarida, had a unique style that was successful on mostly all opponents at the highest level of the sport with a simple game plan broke that down like this:

A) Judo Throw
B) If A doesn’t work, pull guard ending in either butterfly or collar sleeve.
C) From guard, attack with a combination of loop chokes and collar drags normally from the butterfly guard position.
D) From C either match ends, or uses collar drag to come on top.
E) Knee Cut or Switch Pass.
F) If a scramble ensues…ride it out calmly but always stay ahead.
G) Baseball Bat Choke or Armlock.

He was once quoted as saying “My Jiu-jitsu is like Rice and Beans” which means very basic. And it was. But, as you can see in this video, was effective against the sports elite. Margarida holds victories over Fernando Terere, Saulo Ribeiro, Rodrigo Comprido, Leonardo Leite, Fabio Gurgel, Xande Ribeiro, Eduardo Telles, Pe De Pano & Many more.

His breakout year was in 2000 where he placed silver in his division at worlds losing to the crafty veteran Roleta. Than, after competing regularly Margarida returned to worlds, winning not only his division but the openweight division in spectacular fashion. If I am not mistaken, he was the first athlete to achieve that feat.

Unfortunately he suffered a motor cycle accident which derailed his career for a few years. He did come back in 2003 and competed semi regularly until about 2007 where I believe his last high level jiu-jitsu match was against Roger Gracie. For a moment in that match, it appeared as though Margarida was starting to gain momentum, but….Roger Gracie, regarded as the greatest ever was simply too much for him and ended his comeback campaign.