Bio

PROF. RINALDO SANTOS

Professor Rinaldo Santos is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is one of the highest ranked Black Belts in Central Florida. His BJJ lineage is traced directly to the Gracie family:  Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlson Gracie Sr..

Professor Rinaldo is a former BJJ World Champion and Vale Tudo Fighter (No Holds Barred MMA) . He is also one of the most respected BJJ Referees in the sport of BJJ.  Professor Rinaldo has over two decades of experience  teaching adults and kids and still teaches the majority of the classes at the Carlson Gracie Central Florida Academy.  

 

Education:

Graduate in Physical Education – University of Gama Filho, Rio de Janeiro Brazil, 1999

Tournament History

Blue Belt 

  • 1st place weight class 170 lbs – 1st Cup Bank of ITAU “State Champion”, Brazil -1987 
  • 1st place weight class 170 lbs – 1st Cup Artuzao National Competition, Brazil – 1990  
  • 2nd place weight class 170lbs – 1st Cup Arrebentacao Jiu Jitsu State Competition, Brazil 1991
  • 1st place weight class 170lbs – 1st Cup Beneficiate Carlos Rollyson State Competition – “Selected Most Technical fighter (submitted all opponents), Brazil 1991
  • 1st place weight class 170lbs – 1st Cup RAUF State Champion, Brazil, 1991
  • 1st place weight class 170 lbs – Brazilian State Champion, Brazil 1991
  • 1st place weight class 170 lbs – Brazilian State Champion, Brazil 1991, “Selected to fight Oscar Do Jiu Jitsu”
  • 1st place weight class 170 lbs – Oscar Do Jiu-Jitsu National Champion, Brazil 1991, “Selected Most Technical Fighter – Top Blue Belt”

Purple Belt

  • 1st place weight class 170 lbs – State Champion, Brazil 1992
  • 1st place weight class 170 lbs – Brazilian National Champion, Brazil 1992
  • 2nd place open weight class – Cup Rio Sport Center Competition, 1993
  • Winner of Top Purple Belt Challenge, 20 min match vs Eduardo Galvao Cup Rio Sport Center 1993
  • 1st place open weight class – Brazilian University of Jiu-Jitsu University Competition, Brazil 1994
  • 3rd place weight class 172 lbs – Pan American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Championship, USA 1995

Brown Belt

  • 1st place open weight class – Brazilian University of Jiu-Jitsu University Competition, Brazil 1996
  • 1st place weight class 185 lbs – State Champion, Brazil 1996
  • 1st place weight class 185 lbs – Freestyle De Petropolis World Champion “No Holds Barred”,  Brazil 1997

Black Belt

  • 1st place weight class 185 lbs – State Champion, Brazil 1998
  • 1st place Black Belt Pre Qualification – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Championships, Brazil 1998
  • 3rd place weight class 185 lbs – World Championship of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Brazil 1999
  • 2nd place, Masters division, weight class 185 lbs – Pan American Championship, USA 2006
BJJ Referee
  • Sr. Referee for the North American Grappling Association (NAGA)
  • Sr. Referee for the Kuwait Open
  • Sr. Referee for the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF)
Additional Accomplishments
  • Opened Carlson Gracie Central Florida Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Winter Garden in 2008
  • Received his 6th degree Black Belt in 2022
  • Inducted into the Florida Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2023

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