Alexandre Ribeiro

“Xande”

Alexandre “Xande” Ribeiro is a Brazilian black belt, seven-time adult gi world champion, two-time ADCC champion and leader of Six Blades.

Last updated: 4 October 2026

Biography

Alexandre Couceiro “Xande” Ribeiro is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who won seven adult gi world titles and two ADCC weight-class titles, and now leads Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu. His competition record here draws chiefly on the IBJJF's event results. Ribeiro was born in Manaus and began jiu-jitsu there at ten, following an invitation from his older brother Saulo. He first trained with the Monteiro brothers, later at Royler Gracie's academy and with Saulo, and received his black belt in 2001. Recalling his early training, he said a seminar with Royler encouraged him to ask why techniques worked. A 1993 visit to Saulo in Rio introduced him to a more deliberate study of positions. Ribeiro has described his guard as a response to being the smaller student who first needed to protect himself. Training under Saulo's pressure gave that instinct a method: deny an opponent an underhook or control of the neck, then move the hips if the upper body is trapped, or move the upper body if the hips are pinned. The distinction between simply surviving and knowing which part can move became part of how he explained his game. After moving to the United States in 2002, he adapted his training while teaching mostly beginners, placing himself at a disadvantage and limiting his options. At the 2002 IBJJF Worlds, Ribeiro took open-class bronze. He won heavyweight gold in 2004, then took silver at super-heavyweight in 2005. In 2006 he won both heavyweight and open-class gold, with Roger Gracie second in the open class. Ribeiro won heavyweight again in 2007, followed by another heavyweight and open-class double in 2008. Later heavyweight podiums included silver in 2010 and 2012 and bronze in 2013. A final heavyweight gold in 2015 brought his adult gi Worlds total to seven titles across five championship years: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2015. The no-gi record ran alongside those gi results. Ribeiro won the 2012 adult black-belt no-gi World Championship at super-heavyweight and in the open class. In 2021 he won Master 1 heavyweight gold at the no-gi Worlds and took open-class silver in that age division. At ADCC, he took the under-99 kg title in 2007, finishing the final against Braulio Estima on points, and repeated the divisional win in 2009 while taking silver in the absolute division. When he was named to ADCC's 2024 Hall of Fame class, the report credited him with 30 wins in 43 ADCC matches. The IBJJF also lists him in its Hall of Fame. Ribeiro's teaching work developed with his competition career. In 2012 he described opening his own Los Angeles school after years working with Saulo: they ran separate schools but still belonged to the same team at that time. The IBJJF later identified Rafael Lovato Jr. as his student. Ribeiro went on to lead Six Blades, the team he represented in later competition. Its teaching framework names safety, steady practice, attention to process and character as priorities; those are the program's stated principles, rather than measured results. He also fought twice in Japan's Sengoku mixed martial arts promotion, recording stoppage wins in 2008 and 2009. At the 2022 IBJJF Worlds, Ribeiro said this would be his last adult Worlds appearance. He lost a heavyweight match to Harryson Pereira and left his black belt on the mat afterward. His competition did not end there: in 2025 he won the Master 3 heavyweight division at the European Championship for Six Blades.

Sources for this profile

ADCC Latin America, ADCC Hall da Fama: O Incansável Xande Ribeiro, 2026-01-07(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro won the 2007 ADCC under-99 kg title, submitting Yukiyasu Ozawa and Tim Carpenter and beating Robert Drysdale and Braulio Estima on points.
  Where in the source: Hall of Fame article, 2007 campaign
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- Ribeiro repeated as ADCC under-99 kg champion in Barcelona in 2009 and took silver in the absolute division. His divisional final was against Gerardi Rinaldi.
  Where in the source: Hall of Fame article, 2009 campaign
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- ADCC Latin America calls Ribeiro the founder and leader of the Six Blades team.
  Where in the source: Hall of Fame article, introduction
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, Hall of Fame, accessed 2026-10-04(opens in a new tab)
- The IBJJF Hall of Fame lists him under his full name, Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro.
  Where in the source: Hall of Fame — ALEXANDRE COUCEIRO RIBEIRO
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- The IBJJF lists Ribeiro in its Hall of Fame.
  Where in the source: Hall of Fame — 'ALEXANDRE COUCEIRO RIBEIRO'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
Graciemag, Xande Ribeiro: O cientista no campo de batalha, accessed 2026-10-04(opens in a new tab)
- Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro was born in Manaus on 20 January 1981.
  Where in the source: Bio, opening paragraph
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- Alexandre Ribeiro is widely known as Xande Ribeiro.
  Where in the source: Bio, opening paragraph
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- He began with the Monteiro brothers, later trained in Royler Gracie's academy and under his older brother Saulo Ribeiro, and received his black belt in 2001.
  Where in the source: Bio, training paragraph
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
Wikipedia, Alexandre Ribeiro, accessed 2026-10-04(opens in a new tab)
- The existing live reference identifies Ribeiro as Brazilian and records the name Xande.
  Where in the source: Alexandre Ribeiro — Medal record: Representing Brazil; Other names: Xande
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
Graciemag, Xande Ribeiro on building one of the best guard systems in history, 2019 (interview first published 2016)(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro says his brother invited him to begin jiu-jitsu in Manaus in March 1991, when he was ten.
  Where in the source: Opening 1991 answer
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- Ribeiro links his guard development to being a smaller beginner who first focused on protecting himself, then to pressure training with Saulo that made his defensive choices more technical.
  Where in the source: Opening / prevention answers
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- In explaining his guard, Ribeiro emphasizes preventing uncomfortable positions, denying underhooks and control of the neck, and moving the hips when the upper body is controlled (and vice versa).
  Where in the source: Prevention answer
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
Xande Ribeiro, How the Best Martial Artists Train, The Flow Institute, 2026-04-10(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro recalls that a Royler Gracie seminar in Manaus emphasized why techniques work, while a 1993 trip to train with Saulo in Rio introduced him to detailed technical study and positional practice.
  Where in the source: The Moment Everything Changed / Training With the Best — 'He explained not just what to do, but why'; 'In 1993, I had the opportunity to go to Rio and train with my brother, Saulo'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- Ribeiro says that after moving to the United States in 2002, he adapted his training while teaching mostly white belts: he placed himself at a disadvantage, trained tired and limited his options.
  Where in the source: The Method Works Without Perfect Conditions — At that time, I was teaching mostly white belts; I limited my options
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2002 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt open division(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro reached the adult male black-belt open-class podium at the 2002 IBJJF Worlds, taking bronze behind Marcio Cruz and his brother Saulo Ribeiro.
  Where in the source: ADULT / BLACK / MALE / OPEN CLASS — '1 Marcio Cruz'; '2 Saulo Ribeiro'; '3 Alexandre Ribeiro'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2004 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt heavy and open divisions(opens in a new tab)
- At the 2004 IBJJF Worlds, Ribeiro won adult male black-belt heavyweight gold and took open-class bronze.
  Where in the source: ADULT / BLACK / MALE / HEAVY — '1 Alexandre Ribeiro'; ADULT / BLACK / MALE / OPEN CLASS — '3 Alexandre Ribeiro'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2005 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt super-heavy division(opens in a new tab)
- The 2005 IBJJF Worlds results list Ribeiro second in adult male black-belt super-heavyweight, behind Roger Gracie; this is silver, not a 2005 gold title.
  Where in the source: ADULT / BLACK / MALE / SUPER HEAVY — 1 Roger Gracie; 2 Alexandre Ribeiro
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2006 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt heavy and open divisions(opens in a new tab)
- At the 2006 IBJJF Worlds, Ribeiro won both the adult male black-belt heavyweight and open-class titles; Roger Gracie was second in the open class.
  Where in the source: ADULT / BLACK / MALE / HEAVY — '1 Alexandre Ribeiro'; ADULT / BLACK / MALE / OPEN CLASS — '1 Alexandre Ribeiro'; '2 Roger Gracie'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2007 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt heavy and open divisions(opens in a new tab)
- The 2007 IBJJF Worlds results list Ribeiro as adult male black-belt heavyweight champion and open-class bronze medallist.
  Where in the source: ADULT / BLACK / MALE / HEAVY — '1 Alexandre Ribeiro'; ADULT / BLACK / MALE / OPEN CLASS — '3 Alexandre Ribeiro'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2008 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt heavy and open divisions(opens in a new tab)
- At the 2008 IBJJF Worlds, Ribeiro won adult male black-belt heavyweight and open-class gold; Roger Gracie was runner-up in the open class.
  Where in the source: ADULT / BLACK / MALE / HEAVY — '1 Alexandre Ribeiro'; ADULT / BLACK / MALE / OPEN CLASS — '1 Alexandre Ribeiro'; '2 Roger Gracie'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2010 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt heavy and open divisions(opens in a new tab)
- At the 2010 IBJJF Worlds Ribeiro was heavyweight runner-up to Bernardo Faria and open-class bronze medallist.
  Where in the source: ADULT / BLACK / MALE / HEAVY — '1 Bernardo Faria'; '2 Alexandre Ribeiro'; ADULT / BLACK / MALE / OPEN CLASS — '3 Alexandre Ribeiro'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2012 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt heavy division(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro took adult male black-belt heavyweight silver at the 2012 IBJJF Worlds, behind Rodolfo Vieira.
  Where in the source: MALE / ADULT / BLACK / HEAVY (202.00LB) — '1 Rodolfo Vieira Srour'; '2 Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt heavy division(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro took adult male black-belt heavyweight bronze at the 2013 IBJJF Worlds.
  Where in the source: MALE / ADULT / BLACK / HEAVY (202.00LB) — '3 Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2015 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt heavy division(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro won the adult male black-belt heavyweight title at the 2015 IBJJF Worlds, ahead of Lucas Leite, completing a seven-gold adult gi Worlds record across 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2015.
  Where in the source: MALE / ADULT / BLACK / HEAVY (202.00LB) — '1 Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro'; '2 Lucas Joas Gomes Leite'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2012 World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, adult black-belt super-heavy and open divisions(opens in a new tab)
- At the 2012 IBJJF no-gi Worlds, Ribeiro won adult male black-belt super-heavyweight and open-class gold; Leandro Lo was the open-class runner-up.
  Where in the source: MALE / ADULT / BLACK / SUPER HEAVY (215.00LB) — '1 Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro'; MALE / ADULT / BLACK / OPEN CLASS — '1 Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro'; '2 Leandro Lo'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2021 World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, Master 1 black-belt heavy and open divisions(opens in a new tab)
- At the 2021 IBJJF no-gi Worlds, he won Master 1 black-belt heavyweight gold and finished second in the Master 1 open class.
  Where in the source: MALE / MASTER 1 / BLACK / HEAVY — '1 Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro'; MALE / MASTER 1 / BLACK / OPEN CLASS — '2 Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
Joe Gilpin, Xande Ribeiro Named First Member of 2024 ADCC Hall Of Fame Class, FloGrappling, 2023-12-11(opens in a new tab)
- ADCC named Ribeiro the first member of its 2024 Hall of Fame class; the report credits him with 43 ADCC matches and 30 wins, as well as two divisional titles in 2007 and 2009.
  Where in the source: Xande Ribeiro Named First Member of 2024 ADCC Hall Of Fame Class — 'record holder for most matches (43) and most wins (30)'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2022 IBJJF World Championships Recap, June 2022(opens in a new tab)
- Before the 2022 adult IBJJF Worlds Ribeiro announced it would be his last Worlds. He lost a heavyweight match to Harryson Pereira and left his black belt on the mat to mark the end of that Worlds chapter.
  Where in the source: Xande Ribeiro and Rafael Lovato Jr. Retire from the Worlds — 'Before the event, Xande announced it would be his last World Championship'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
- The IBJJF described Rafael Lovato Jr. as Ribeiro's student when both marked the end of their Worlds careers in 2022.
  Where in the source: Xande Ribeiro and Rafael Lovato Jr. Retire from the Worlds — 'Rafael Lovato Jr. followed in the footsteps of his sensei Xande Ribeiro'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
The Flow Institute, The Six Blades Method, accessed 2026-10-04(opens in a new tab)
- In Ribeiro's own Six Blades teaching framework, safety, process over outcome, consistency, emotional regulation and character are explicit pillars.
  Where in the source: The Six Blades Method — 'SAFETY'; 'PROCESS OVER OUTCOME'; 'CONSISTENCY OVER INTENSITY'; 'EMOTIONAL REGULATION'; 'CHARACTER'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
BJJ Eastern Europe, Xande is Back: interview with Xande Ribeiro, 2012-03-21(opens in a new tab)
- In 2012 Ribeiro said he had opened his own Los Angeles school after years running a school with Saulo; the schools had separate businesses but remained on the same team.
  Where in the source: Xande is back — question 13: 2 separated business entities now; same team
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
IBJJF, 2025 European Jiu-Jitsu Championship results, Master 3 black-belt heavy division(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro won the Master 3 black-belt heavyweight division at the 2025 IBJJF European Championship while representing Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu.
  Where in the source: MALE / MASTER 3 / BLACK / HEAVY (94.30KG) — '1 Alexandre Couceiro Ribeiro'; 'Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu'
  Accessed: 2026-10-04
Sherdog, Alexandre Ribeiro fighter record, accessed 2026-10-04(opens in a new tab)
- Ribeiro had a two-fight professional MMA run in Japan's Sengoku promotion: stoppage wins over Takashi Sugiura in 2008 and Keiichiro Yamamiya in 2009, leaving a 2–0 listed record.
  Where in the source: FIGHT HISTORY - PRO — Keiichiro Yamamiya, May / 02 / 2009, KO (Punch); Takashi Sugiura, Sep / 28 / 2008, TKO (Knees and Punches)
  Accessed: 2026-10-04

Competition results

Recorded tournament results, newest first
Year	Event	Result	Division
2017	ADCC 2017Source: adcombat.com-88 kgNo-giVerified	3rd place	-88 kgNo-giVerified
2015	ADCC 2015Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified	4th place	-99 kgNo-giVerified
2015	IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-94 kgGiVerified	1st place	-94 kgGiVerified
2011	ADCC 2011Source: adcombat.comAbsoluteNo-giVerified	3rd place	AbsoluteNo-giVerified
2011	ADCC 2011Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified	3rd place	-99 kgNo-giVerified
2009	ADCC 2009Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified	1st place	-99 kgNo-giVerified
2009	ADCC 2009Source: adcombat.comAbsoluteNo-giVerified	2nd place	AbsoluteNo-giVerified
2008	IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.orgAbsoluteGiVerified	1st place	AbsoluteGiVerified
2008	IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-94 kgGiVerified	1st place	-94 kgGiVerified
2007	ADCC 2007Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified	1st place	-99 kgNo-giVerified
2007	IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-94 kgGiVerified	1st place	-94 kgGiVerified
2006	IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.orgAbsoluteGiVerified	1st place	AbsoluteGiVerified
2006	IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-94 kgGiVerified	1st place	-94 kgGiVerified
2005	ADCC 2005Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified	3rd place	-99 kgNo-giVerified
2005	ADCC 2005Source: adcombat.comAbsoluteNo-giVerified	4th place	AbsoluteNo-giVerified
2004	IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-94 kgGiVerified	1st place	-94 kgGiVerified
2003	ADCC 2003Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified	4th place	-99 kgNo-giVerified

Lineage

View in lineage tree

Trained under

Saulo Ribeiro Source: bjjheroes.com

Students2

Darragh O’Conaill Source: bjjheroes.com

Felipe Costa Source: bjjheroes.com