Erberth Santos

Early Life and Introduction to Jiu-Jitsu

Erberth Santos was born on February 17, 1994, in Maranhão, Brazil, relocating to Boa Vista, Roraima, at the age of three. At nine, Santos discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through his sister's boyfriend, a blue belt practitioner. Intrigued by the martial art, he joined a local social project led by coach Pedro Freitas at Roraima Top Team. Despite Freitas holding only a blue belt himself at the time, he quickly recognized Santos' potential and encouraged him to compete early in his training.

BJJ Career Progression and Team Transitions

Early Competitive Success

Under Pedro Freitas' mentorship, Santos rapidly excelled in state and national competitions, drawing attention from prominent coaches. Márcio Rodrigues invited him to train at his renowned social project in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro. However, disciplinary issues soon led to Santos' expulsion from Rodrigues' academy.

Move to São Paulo and International Exposure

Following this setback, Luis "Guigo" Guilherme invited Santos to train in São Paulo, significantly advancing his competitive career. Santos relocated as a blue belt and began competing internationally by 2014, achieving notable success at brown belt. During his stays in the United States, he frequently trained with Team Lloyd Irvin. After winning the ASN Challenge in December 2014—defeating several prominent black belts—Santos received his black belt from Luiz Guilherme.

Frequent Team Changes

Throughout his career, Santos experienced brief stints with various academies, including Almeida Jiu Jitsu under Caio Almeida and Ryan Gracie Academy. Speculation persisted regarding a potential permanent affiliation with Team Lloyd Irvin, though no lasting arrangement materialized.

Competition Style and Technical Approach

Erberth Santos is renowned for his aggressive and dynamic style, characterized by explosive guard passing and powerful takedowns. His relentless pace and physicality often overwhelm opponents, while his psychological tactics—such as feigning indifference to pain or injury—aim to intimidate and unsettle rivals. This intense, confrontational approach contributed significantly to his competitive success but also fueled his controversial reputation.

Controversies and Reputation as BJJ's 'Bad Boy'

Throughout his career, Santos became infamous for controversial behavior both on and off the mats. A particularly notorious incident occurred at the 2019 BJJ Stars event, where Santos instigated a brawl with audience members after becoming frustrated by an injury during a superfight. This incident resulted in a one-year suspension from competition and solidified his reputation as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's "bad boy."

Despite attempts to rehabilitate his image through interviews—such as those with FloGrappling, where he described himself as misunderstood and introverted—each return to competition seemed to bring new controversies, overshadowing his athletic accomplishments.

Legal Troubles and Incarceration

In 2023, Erberth Santos' career took a drastic turn when he was arrested in São Paulo alongside fellow BJJ black belt André Pessoa. Both men faced serious charges, including multiple armed robberies and sexual assaults. Brazilian authorities reported that Santos and Pessoa confessed to these crimes during interrogation. As of late 2023, Santos remained incarcerated awaiting trial, effectively halting his competitive career indefinitely.

Impact on BJJ Community and Legacy

Once celebrated as a promising IBJJF World Champion, Erberth Santos' legacy within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community has become a cautionary tale. His legal troubles and persistent controversies significantly impacted public perception, shifting the community's focus from his athletic achievements to his off-the-mat decisions. As of 2025, the BJJ community closely follows his legal proceedings, reflecting on the dramatic fall of an athlete whose immense potential was overshadowed by personal choices and controversies.