Tanner Rice

Born on January 2, 1993, in Redding, California, Tanner Rice was immersed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from an early age. His father, Rod Rice, a black belt under John Dill, introduced Tanner to the sport at six years old. Under his father's guidance and additional mentorship from coaches John Dill and James Boran, Tanner quickly developed a solid technical foundation and passion for competition.

In 2008, Tanner met Brazilian competitor Carlos Diego Ferreira, who was visiting the United States. Inspired by this friendship, Tanner traveled to Manaus, Brazil, at age 16, despite not speaking Portuguese. He trained intensively at the renowned Clube Pina under Master Faustino Neto. Over the next two and a half years, Tanner frequently returned to Manaus, refining his aggressive style and technical versatility. During this formative period, he earned his purple belt from Ferreira, significantly shaping his competitive approach and tactical mindset.

Seeking elite-level mentorship, Tanner and his brothers affiliated with the academy of legendary competitor Rubens Charles in Los Angeles. Under Charles' expert guidance, Tanner excelled competitively, capturing the IBJJF World Championship as a brown belt in 2012. Following this impressive victory, Charles promoted Tanner to black belt at just 19 years old, making him the youngest American at the time to achieve this distinction. In his black belt debut at the IBJJF Pro League, Tanner showcased his dynamic style and tactical maturity, defeating prominent competitors Wellington 'Megaton' Dias and Augusto 'Tanquinho' Mendes, solidifying his status as a rising talent in the sport.

In 2008, the Rice family founded Amazonas Jiu-Jitsu (now Rice Brothers) in Redding, California. Tanner serves as head instructor, actively mentoring his brothers and students. Under his leadership, the academy expanded its presence throughout California, Oregon, and Nevada. In 2018, Tanner awarded his older brother a black belt, further strengthening the family's legacy and commitment to excellence in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In 2020, Tanner Rice co-founded the American Jiu-Jitsu Syndicate (AJJS) alongside renowned coach Rafael 'Formiga' Barbosa. AJJS unites like-minded academies dedicated to developing a world-class competition team. As one of the organization's head representatives, Tanner actively contributes to its strategic growth, athlete development, and competitive success.

After stepping away from the IBJJF adult circuit, Tanner transitioned to competing in the Master 1 division, notably moving up in weight classes, including ultra-heavyweight. He secured victories at prestigious events such as the 2025 IBJJF Los Angeles Winter Open and Sacramento Open in the Master 1 Ultra-Heavyweight division. Tanner continues to demonstrate his elite-level skills in professional grappling superfights, headlining events like Fight To Win 150 (2020) against legendary competitor Rômulo Barral.

In late 2019, Tanner briefly explored mixed martial arts, making his amateur MMA debut in Alabama. This experience provided valuable cross-training insights, after which he refocused his efforts exclusively on grappling competition and coaching.

Tanner Rice is renowned for his dynamic, aggressive, and versatile competition style, successfully competing across multiple weight divisions. His technical adaptability and strategic approach allow him to remain consistently competitive at elite levels. Known for his tactical guard work, precise passing, and relentless pressure, Tanner regularly participates in invitational events and superfights. Approaching his 3rd-degree black belt under Rafael 'Formiga' Barbosa, Tanner continues to actively mentor athletes from his academy and maintain a prominent presence in the competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.