Kaelum Kalista: Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More!

Kaelum Kalista is a professional black belt competitor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the owner of two successful grappling gyms. He has medalled in many major international tournaments, including IBJJF Nogi Worlds, IBJJF Pans, and Abu Dhabi pro.

Kaelum Kalista is a professional black belt competitor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the owner of two successful grappling gyms. He has medalled in many major international tournaments, including IBJJF Nogi Worlds, IBJJF Pans, and Abu Dhabi pro.

What This Article Covers:

• Who is Kaelum Kalista?
• How Much Does Kaelum Kalista Weigh?
• Kaelum Kalista Fight List
• Kaelum Kalista's Best Fight of All Time
• Kaelum Kalista Record
• Is Kaelum Kalista Retired?

Who is Kaelum Kalista?

Kaelum Kalista’s early childhood and personal life are somewhat enigmatic, and his life’s story isn’t out there. He’s appeared on numerous BJJ podcasts both in his capacity as a GFTeam professor and competitor, and as a newly-minted owner of his own affiliation, Team Kalista, which is headquartered in Hinesville, Georgia.

No Gi Sneaky Submissions by Kaelum Kalista

In the run up to starting his own successful academy in 2020, Kalista spent years competing and training under Abraham Marte to earn his black belt. There are many regions of the world known for BJJ, including Brazil, Europe, and the United States. One place not usually discussed in BJJ conversations? Marte’s homeland, the Dominican Republic.

Sneaky Submissions by Kaelum Kalista

It was here in the Dominican Republic that Kalista began to train and learn from one of the pioneers of the sport in his region. Before Abraham Marte, there weren’t many well known professional grapplers coming from the small Caribbean island. Kalista marks the next generation of black belts minted in the DR.

After training for years and earning his black belt under Marte, Kaelum had amassed a very solid competition record under the GFTeam banner. This included IBJJF Pan Am championships, IBJJF World Championships, and medals in all manner of both gi and nogi competition. 

Since 2020, Kaelum has taken a new approach while still staying true to his competitive nature. He founded a new affiliation under the name Team Kalista, which he hopes will grow a new generation of competition focused grapplers and fighters. As their website points out, they’ve attended and medaled at every single local competition since opening almost two years ago.

Most recently, Kaelum attended the Masters World Championships in Las Vegas, NV in 2021 while also coaching some younger students to compete regionally on the trip. At the time of writing, the 2022 Masters Worlds are right around the corner. We wouldn’t be surprised to Kaelum step out on the mats to challenge for another world title.

How Old is Kaelum Kalista?

Kaelum Kalista’s age is unknown.

Kaelum Kalista Family

Not much has been published about Kaelum Kalista’s family. He maintains a private life, preferring to focus on the sport when interviewed.

How Much is Kaelum Kalista Worth?

Kaelum Kalista’s net worth is not public information.

How Tall is Kaelum Kalista?

As is often the case with grapplers, who record only their weight for competition, Kaelum Kalista’s height is not published.

How Much Does Kaelum Kalista Weigh? 

Kaelum Kalista has competed at several different weight classes, but most frequently at middleweight, which is 181 pounds under IBJJF Guidelines. In 2016, Kalista appeared on Seth Daniels’ Fight to Win promotion for a superfight at 185 pounds.

Kaelum Kalista Fight List

Kaelum Kalista has grappled for much of his life, and often in regional tournaments in the Dominican Republic. Although there isn’t a compiled list of all his fights, many of his winning efforts are well known. To get an idea of his skills on the mat, take a peek at his medals from over the years:

• Pan American Nogi Championships - Gold
• Pan American Nogi Championships - silver
• Pan American Championships - Silver
• IBJJF World Championship Nogi - Gold
• 4x American National Champion, Gi and Nogi
• 4x Abu Dhabi Pro Champion
• Over 100 tournament medals

Kaelum Kalista's Best Fight of All Time

For a fighter like Kaelum Kalista, it’s hard to pin down one amazing moment in a career full of highlights. It’s likely that his best moment was winning one of his Pan American Championships.

Who Did Kaelum Kalista Lose To?

All grapplers face the challenge of recollecting themselves after taking tough losses, and Kaelum Kalista is no different. In 2016, he was matched up with grappling superstar Matt Leighton on Seth Daniels’ star-studded promotion, Fight to Win Pro 13. Although he put up a good fight at 185 pounds, Kalista found Leighton to be a handful, and was unable to get the victory.

Kaelum Kalista Record

Kaelum Kalista’s professional grappling record isn’t available in one place, but it does include well over 100 medals at local, regional, national, an international events. Kalista has grappled at the highest levels and proven himself to be one of the elite.

Kaelum Kalista Injuries

Kalista has not been public with any major injuries or had to miss prolonged time on the mats as a result.

Is Kaelum Kalista Retired?

Kaelum Kalista has not retired from professional grappling, but he has shifted gears. Although he now has his own gym as opposed to teaching as a GFTeam professor in the Dominican Republic, he still competes. He recently attended the 2021 World Masters in Las Vegas to compete while his young students attended a regional tournament.

Kaelum Kalista is an excellent teacher. He has worked hard to hone his craft not only as a competitor, but as a creator of instructional videos. He’s coordinated with BJJ Fanatics to film two takes on the same concept, “Sneaky Submissions” and “No-Gi Sneaky Submissions”. In these videos, you’ll pick up some tips for securing submissions from bad positions. Don’t miss out on a chance to start surprising friends at the gym with these tricky setups from Kaelum.

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