The world of combat has always been a male dominated niche in the world of sport, however, with big names such as Ronda Rousey (UFC), Nichola Adams (Olympic Gold Medalist in boxing) and many others giving the guys a run for their money, it’s safe to say that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is being taken over by beauties. We run down 10 of the best women in BJJ today.
Leticia Ribeiro
Achievements
- World Champion (2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2002, 2000)
- World Nogi Champion (2010, 2008)
- Pan American Champion (2004, 2003)
It would be fair to say that Leticia Ribeiro is an actual legend in the world of female grappling. Six time World Champion, two time Nogi champion and Pan American Champion, Leticia is the leader in one of the most dominant female teams in BJJ history, Gracie Humaita. Leticia announced her retirement from competitive BJJ in 2009, but the competitor in her needed one last taste of glory, when in 2012 when she stepped on the mats again to become world champion.
Kyra Gracie
Achievements
- ADCC Champion (2005, 2007, 2011)
- World Champion (2004, 2006, 2008 – weight and absolute, 2010)
- Pan American Champion (2001 – blue belt division, 2002 – blue belt division, 2003, 2005, 2007)
- Brazilian National Champion (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008)
One of the first big female stars in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, known for “that picture”, which was thusly ruined by Daniel Strauss, Kyra is no slouch on the Mats either. The 3 time ADCC Champion has a string of gold medals to her name, including multiple world champion titles and Pan American titles. The Carlos Gracie Jr black belt grew up with her uncles Ralph, Ryan and Renzo Gracie, so you know she’s an absolute killer.
Michelle Nicolini
Achievements
- World Champion (2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007 weight & absolute, 2006)
- World Nogi Champion (2010, 2008);
- World Pro Cup Champion (2012)
- European Champion (2012 weight & absolute)
- Pan American Champion (2011, 2010, 2008)
Michelle Nicolini is one of the worlds most decorated female BJJ fights, the 10 time world champions has a lot to be proud of in her career. In 2016 Michelle announced her retirement from competitive BJJ to concentrate on her MMA career. Michelle now trains and teaches Singapore at Evolve MMA. Michelle’s current pro MMA record is 2-1, and she looks to have a bright future ahead of her!
Gabi Garcia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz5v2Afwp0s
Achievements
- World Champion (
2013 weight & absolute*, 2012, 2011 & 2010 weight and absolute, 2008) - Pan American Champion (
2013*, 2011 & 2010 weight/absolute); - Brazilian National Champion (2011 black, 2010 brown weight & absolute, 2009 brown)
- World No Gi Champion (2009, 2008);
- World Jiu Jitsu Pro Cup Champion (2010, 2011);
- ADCC Champion (2011)
- European Champion (2015 weight & absolute, 2011 absolute black)
*Stripped out of her titles in 2013 due to the use of PED’s.
At a mighty 111kgs it’s safe the say that Gabi is probably the scariest fighter on the list! Garbrielle Garcia is a black belt under Alliance leader Fabio Gurgel and is another female grappler with multiple world titles under her belt! Gabi currently fights MMA in Japan in RFC (Real Fight Championships) and has a record of 3 & 0.
Mackenzie Dern
Achievements
- World Champion (2015 black, 2012 brown weight & absolute, 2011 purple, 2010, 2009 & 2008 blue)
- World No Gi Champion (2015 black absolute, 2012 brown, 2011 weight & absolute, 2010 & 2009 blue/purple)
- Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion (2015 weight & absolute)
- Pan American Champion (2016/2015 black, 2012 brown, 2011 purple)
- FIVE Super League Champion (2015)
- European Open Champion (2016, 2015 black, 2012 brown, 2011 purple weight & absolute, 2010 blue)
- Copa Podio Superfight Champion (2013)
At the age of 23 Mackenzie Dern has achieved more in her grappling career than most people! Fighting in the 58kg and under division, this pocket rocket has even secured victories against Michelle Nicolini, Tammi Musumeci and the 100kg+ Gabi Garcia. Mackenzie was awarded her black belt by her father Wellington “Megaton” Diaz. Now achieving everything she possibly could in BJJ, Mackenzie has turn her head towards MMA, where her record is currently 2 – 0.
Tammi Musumeci
Achievements
- Pan American Champion (2014)
- World No Gi Champion (2013, 2015)
- World Championship Silver Medal (2014)
- Pan American Silver Medal (2016)
Tammi Musumeci is an up-and-comer in the BJJ world and super worthy of a place in our top 10! A black belt under Emyr Bussade, Tammi has already a number of notable titles under her belt including World No Gi and Pan American Championships, but it was her gutsy performance where Tammi refused to tap against Michelle Nicolini, that resulted in a broken arm, which got her name on the map. Tammi is a vicious competitor and i’m sure we’ll be seeing her on the podium more and more.
Valerie Worthington
While Valerie isn’t a top competitor like Mackenzie or Michelle, what she does represent is how many amazing people there are in the BJJ community. Valerie is Breaking Muscle’s BJJ writer and her pieces are as insightful as they are funny! Valerie began training in 1998, she is a second degree black belt and trains at Princeton BJJ.
Gezary Matuda
Achievements
- World Champion (2015/2013 black, 2012 brown, 2010 purple)
- Pan American Champion (2016 black, 2011 brown/black, 2010 purple)
- World Champion – CBJJE (blue)
- South American Champion – CBJJE (blue)
As beautiful as she is dangerous, Gezary Matuda is a super-exciting competitor under Ricardo Liborio. Gezary started training BJJ in 2004 after trying out Capoeira and Muay Thai first. At Polaris 2 Gezary shocked the world when she caught Michelle Nicolini with a jumping armbar, that ended her match in an astonishing 15 seconds!
Dominyka Obelenyte
Achievements
- World Champion (2015 weight & absolute black, 2014 & 2013 brown, 2011 absolute purple, 2010 blue)
- Pan American Champion (2016/2015 black, 2014 brown, 2013 absolute purple)
- European Open Champion (2015 black, 2012 purple)
- New York Spring International Open Champion (2015 weight & absolute)
- Pan American Championship 2nd Place (2014 absolute brown, 2013 purple, 2010 blue)
- World No Gi Championship 3rd Place (2010 blue/purple)
- European Open 3rd Place (2015 absolute)
Black belt under the legendary Marcelo Garcia, the Lithuanian-born fighter has got a huge amount of medals under her belt. Dominyka’s Jiu-Jitsu career, started when her father enrolled her into a jiu-jitsu class because he felt that she needed to learn some self defence techniques. After moving gyms a number of times, it was Emily Kwok, who convinced her to start training under Marcello and the rest, as they say, is history!
Yvone Duarte
Achievements
- Rio de Janeiro State Champion (1985, 1986, 1987 weight & absolute)
- Brazilian National Champion (1991, 1992 weight & absolute, 1996 absolute)
Now we couldn’t have a best-of list without including one of the most infulential female grapplers of all time, Yvone Duarte. Yvone was the first woman to achieve the grade of black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a grade awarded by Master Osvaldo Alves on October 1990. This incredible pioneer of the sport was one of the main forces behind the implementation of a female division in Jiu Jitsu competitions in 1985. Yvone Duarte was also the first female to start her own BJJ team and, in 1997, Yvone was a fundamental part of the restructuring occurred in Brasilia’s Jiu Jitsu Federation (capital city of Brasil).