Rodolfo Vieira

Rodolfo Vieira was born on September 25, 1989, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began his grappling journey at age 13, initially aiming to lose weight. Vieira's foundational Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training came under instructors Arlans Maia and Bruno Souza, who provided him with the technical base and discipline that would later propel him to elite competition.

After earning his blue belt, Vieira transitioned to Universidade Gama Filho, training under renowned instructor Julio César Pereira. This academy eventually evolved into the prestigious Grappling Fight Team (GFT). Vieira's breakthrough occurred at the 2009 Abu Dhabi World Pro Championship, where, as a brown belt, he secured a remarkable victory over two-time black belt world champion Braulio Estima. Recognizing this exceptional achievement, Julio César Pereira awarded Vieira his black belt immediately upon their return, famously presenting it at the airport. Vieira quickly emerged as one of the most dominant heavyweight competitors of his generation, particularly renowned for his aggressive and precise guard passing.

In 2019, Vieira transitioned to mixed martial arts, joining the elite American Top Team (ATT) and signing with the UFC. By early 2024, he compiled a professional MMA record of 10-3, earning three UFC "Performance of the Night" bonuses. Vieira notably set the UFC middleweight record for most arm-triangle choke submissions, achieving four victories with this technique, including a notable 2024 submission win over Armen Petrosyan.

In 2022, Vieira faced a significant health scare involving neurological evaluations, casting uncertainty over his fighting future. Fortunately, he received medical clearance to resume competition later that year, expressing immense gratitude for the opportunity to continue his MMA career. Vieira returned to UFC action at UFC Vegas 102 on February 15, 2025, where he lost a decision to Andre Petroski.

In 2023, Vieira strategically hired a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach for the first time in his MMA career, significantly sharpening his ground game for UFC competition. Demonstrating his continued commitment to elite grappling, Vieira returned to high-level grappling competition at ADXC 7 in Abu Dhabi in November 2024, submitting UFC veteran Derek Brunson in a no-gi superfight. This victory underscored Vieira's adaptability and ongoing relevance across both MMA and grappling circuits.

Guard Passing and Aggression

Rodolfo Vieira is widely recognized for his aggressive, pressure-based guard passing style, earning him the nickname "Caçador dos Faixas Pretas" (Black Belt Hunter). His relentless forward pressure and precise positional control consistently overwhelm opponents, making him one of the most feared passers in competitive grappling.

Signature Submission: Arm-Triangle Choke

In MMA competition, Vieira expertly adapted his elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills to the cage, specializing in the Arm-Triangle Choke. His mastery of this submission has resulted in multiple UFC victories, setting a middleweight division record. Vieira's seamless transition from gi-based techniques to no-gi and MMA contexts highlights his exceptional versatility and technical proficiency.