| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has exploded in popularity in the | | | | B.J. Penn |
| 21st century, thanks in large part to the incredible | | | | A lot of experts say that B.J Penn has the |
| accomplishments and accolades that some of the | | | | absolute best Jiu-Jitsu in MMA competition |
| top BJJ fighters have brought into the Mixed | | | | anywhere, hands down. He fights almost purely |
| Martial Arts (MMA) cage. If you're learning about | | | | from his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training, and his |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, or even just martial arts in | | | | knickname is "The Prodigy" which gives you an |
| general, below are a few of the famous names | | | | indication of his natural ability. He has already |
| you'll want to learn about. | | | | found a lot of success in the 170 pound division in |
| Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera | | | | UFC, and has recently moved down to the 155 |
| For many people, any discussion about BJJ has to | | | | pound ranks to try his arsenal out there. The |
| begin and end with the legendary Antonio Rodrigo | | | | amazing thing about his BJJ is his ability to control |
| Noguiera, also known as "El Minoataruo" because | | | | people with his incredibly flexible legs. Penn can use |
| he's almost half man, half bull. With a career MMA | | | | his legs like the average human uses their arms |
| record of 31 wins and only 4 losses, he has long | | | | and he can bend them in very odd but effective |
| reigned in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's | | | | positions that most fighters don't know how to |
| (UFC) heavyweight division. Born in 1976, | | | | deal with. |
| Noguiera's is celebrated for his BJJ skills: at least | | | | Paulo Filho |
| 19 (over half) of his victories have been won by | | | | Although at the time of this writing Filho is only |
| various Brazilian Jiu Jitsu submissions including | | | | ranked #2 in the middleweight ranks under |
| armbars, guillotine chokes, anacondas, and even | | | | Anderson Silva, he is unbeaten and riding a string |
| the crucifix. Noguiera is also became renowned for | | | | of 16 consecutive victories. He studied under and |
| his ability to come back in the middle of a fight | | | | was awarded his BJJ blackbelt by Carlson Gracie |
| after taking a severe beating; the fight is never | | | | himself. Most of his experience has been in other |
| over as long as he can throw one more BJJ hold | | | | MMA and BJJ organizations like the PRIDE Fighting |
| on you. Many BJJ fans know him from The | | | | Championships, World Extreme Cagefighting |
| Ultimate Fighter reality TV show, where he has | | | | (WEC), and the CBJJ World Championships. A pure |
| appeared as a coach. Both he and his twin brother | | | | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu artist, Filho is absolutely relentless |
| Rogerio are highly decorated BJJ black belts who | | | | in the ring and almost all of his submission victories |
| also teach BJJ. In addition to his own | | | | have come by armbar. His opponents usually |
| accomplishments, he has trained many other | | | | know an arm bar is coming but they still can't |
| top-level fighters to black-belt status like | | | | seem do anything about it. The youngest fighter |
| Anderson Silva (another Brazilian fighter though | | | | on this list, Filho is an up-and-comer to watch out |
| not a specialist in Jiu Jitsu). | | | | for. |