Who are the Top 5 Greatest ADCC Champions of All Time?

Just one man's opinion....!

In this article we are going to dig deep into the archives and discuss who are the top 5 greatest ADCC champions of all time. There are many different stats and weight categories in ADCC’s illustrious history but here are my top 5 greatest ADCC champions ever. 

5. Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles

Cobrinha is a legend in the sport of jiu jitsu and an even bigger legend in ADCC. With 3 ADCC Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2017 in the 66KG division Cobrinha has beaten some of the best. Names like Marcio Andre, Gianni Grippo, Jeff Glover, Augusto Mendes, Bruno Frazatto, Paulo Miyao and even his arch rival Rafa Mendes have all lost to Cobrinha at ADCC. A member of the famous “TT” team under Fernando Terrere, Cobrinha moved to America and joined the legendary Fabio Gurgel and Jacare at Alliance. Cobrinha has solidified himself as one of the greatest 66KG competitors of all time, this year his son Kennedy will be competing in hopes to create the first ever father and son ADCC champion duo in history.

4. Royler Gracie

Since we are on the subject of amazing lightweight competitors we can’t talk about lightweights and not mention the great Royler Gracie. A lot of people seem to get lost in the madness that was Royler’s loss to Eddie Bravo in Brazil, but we can’t forget Royler Gracie has a resume that could match up with anyone considered the best of all time.  Royler Gracie has 3 ADCC Championships and can take credit for amazing wins in the ADCC tournament against legends like Soca, Baret Yoshida, and Robson Moura. Before his loss to Eddie Bravo by triangle Royler had actually won 13 straight ADCC matches. Royler has to go down as one of the best to ever do it. 

3. Kyra Gracie/ Gabi Garcia

The things that these two women have down for women’s jiu jitsu is the reason why I couldn’t rank one higher than the other. Both with 3 ADCC championships, one is a legend of the past and the other is a glimpse current women’s jiu jitsu’s maturation. If there was a Mt. Rushmore for women’s jiu jitsu Kyra Gracie’s face would definitely be on it. Kyra won the 2005, 2007, and 2011 ADCC Championship for the –60KG women’s division. Gabi on the other hand is knocking on the door of being considered one of the greatest to ever do it. Gabi has faced a lot of flak due to her choices in MMA opponents and physique, but what matters to me is how she performs when it’s time to roll. Time and time again Gabi Garcia delivered amazing performances, showcasing beautiful jiu jitsu. Gabi is the current 2011, 2013, and 2017 +60kg women’s division champion and I honestly don’t see anyone beating her in 2019.

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2. Andre Galvao

Now I know a lot of people maybe looking a little funny at this one but hear me out. Andre Galvao is an absolute monster, with a double gold performance in weight and in absolute in 2011 Andre Galvao solidified himself as a legend of the sport. The thing that truly makes Galvao special in this regard is the super fight record. As an amazing rule for ADCC anytime someone wins the absolute division they have to fight the previous absolute champion in a super fight. 

Essentially, it’s a check to see if the guy who is considered the best in the world still the best in the world after 2 years. After winning the absolute in 2011 Galvao faced off with former absolute champion Braulio Estima, another legend, and won in 2013. Then in 2015 Galvao faced off with the 2013 absolute champion Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu and beat him. Then in 2017 Galvao faced 2015 absolute champion Claudio Calasans and completely dominated him winning 14-0. This year Galvao will fight against Felipe Pena in his last super fight, the two men are 2-2 against each other and they genuinely don’t like each other. It will be the match to watch this year.

        1. Marcelo Garcia

If you are a fan of jiu jitsu and you had any other thought of who could be number one in this conversation, you are sadly mistaken. Marcelo Garcia is the greatest ADCC champion of all time. With 4 ADCC Championships Marcelo has dominated and blessed us as fans with some of the most beautiful displays of jiu jitsu ever. Considered by many to be the greatest practitioner of all time Marcelo has had wars in Abu Dhabi.  Marcelo has done things that no one has ever seen like putting the great Vitor Shaolin to sleep with a rear naked choke, or wrist locking massive Pablo Popovitch, rear naked choking Bruno Bastos, triangle choking Leo Vieria or catching the monster Kron Gracie in a guillotine choke. His list of accomplishments and amazing feats at ADCC go on and on. With wins at 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2011 ADCC Marcelo Garcia is not only one of the most accomplished grapplers ADCC has ever seen, but also one of the most exciting. Marcelo is Garcia is the greatest ever at ADCC, is he the best of all time? That is a different conversation. 

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