Ronaldo Jacaré, the UFC star, was molded by BJJ from his days as a white-belt, when he was training in Manaus.
The thin boy began bulking up, acquiring skills, and impressing the world with his brand of jiu-jitsu. After each trip to Rio de Janeiro, to compete in the IBJJF World Championships, Jacaré would return home with a handful of gold and good stories to tell.
In 2003, for instance, Jaca confirmed his favoritism in the brown belt by claiming the medium heavy and absolute titles at Tijuca Tennis Club.
In the absolute final, he was pitted against Lucio Rodrigues, who also happens to have a reptilian nickname (his Lagarto being the lizard to Jacaré’s alligator). Things sure heated up.
Four minutes in, check out how Jacaré nearly submits Lagarto from the back. But Lagarto, who nowadays teaches at Gracie Barra, had some defensive skills to brag about.
Watch Jacaré’s win right here:
