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Luís Roman

Luis Sergio Roman moved from sambo to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning his black belt under James Boran and later master medals.

Biography

Luis Sergio Roman came to Brazilian jiu-jitsu through sambo and military service. BJJ Heroes’ biography traces his early life to Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, where he was born on 2 May 1964. He became a Marine Corps cadet at thirteen and joined the US Marines at eighteen. A senior combat instructor introduced him to sambo; at Camp Pendleton in California, Roman began teaching it to create training partners. That account follows him into police work in Southern California after he left active service in 1989. He continued sambo at Hayastan with Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell, then started Brazilian jiu-jitsu with Joe Moreira and Rick Lucero in 1996. At brown belt, he moved to James “Avalanche” Boran and Carlos Augusto. His Marine Corps reserve position was activated in 2003, and he served in Iraq. After returning to the United States, he received his black belt from Boran. His subsequent IBJJF results chart a long master competition career representing Boran Jiu-Jitsu. At the 2013 World No-Gi Championship, Roman was listed first at Master 4 black belt middleweight, with only one athlete appearing in that division’s results. He also earned bronze in the Master 4 black belt open class. He continued to reach the podium as he moved through the age divisions. At the gi Pan Championship, he took Master 6 black belt middleweight bronze in both 2021 and 2022. In 2026, he returned to the Pan podium with middleweight bronze at Master 7.

Sources for this profile

  • BJJ Heroes, "Luis Sergio Roman" (fighter database), published 27 December 2011, modified 11 June 2012.(opens in a new tab)

    • BJJ Heroes gives his birth date as 2 May 1964 and his birthplace as Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.

      Where in the source: Biography section, first sentence — "May 2nd, 1964"

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    • According to BJJ Heroes, he became a Marine Corps cadet in Puerto Rico at 13, joined the United States Marine Corps at 18, learned sambo from a senior Marine combat instructor, and later coached sambo while stationed at Camp Pendleton, California.

      Where in the source: Biography section, first paragraph — "Camp Pendleton"

      Accessed:

    • According to BJJ Heroes, he left active military service in 1989 to become a police officer in Southern California and trained sambo at the Hayastan club with Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell.

      Where in the source: Biography section, second paragraph — "Hayastan Sambo/Judo club"

      Accessed:

    • According to BJJ Heroes, he began Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 1996 under Joe Moreira and Rick Lucero, and at brown belt moved to train under James "Avalanche" Boran and Carlos Augusto.

      Where in the source: Biography section, third paragraph, opening two sentences — "changed camps"

      Accessed:

    • According to BJJ Heroes, his Marine Corps reserve position was activated in 2003 and he served in Iraq; after returning to the United States he was promoted to black belt by James Boran.

      Where in the source: Biography section, third paragraph, last two sentences — "Marine Corps reserve"

      Accessed:

    • He taught sambo at Camp Pendleton to create training partners.

      Where in the source: Biography first paragraph, reason for coaching.

      Accessed:

    • The biography identifies Roman as Puerto Rican.

      Where in the source: Opening paragraph.

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World No-Gi Championship 2013(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 2013 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, Luis Sergio Roman of Boran Jiu-Jitsu is listed first in men’s Master 4 black-belt middleweight.

      Where in the source: Male / Master 4 / Black / Middle (175.60lb), complete division.

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    • He also placed third in the same event’s men’s Master 4 black-belt open division.

      Where in the source: Male / Master 4 / Black / Open Class, complete four-place table.

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, Pan Championship 2021(opens in a new tab)

    • Representing Boran Jiu-Jitsu, Roman took bronze at the 2021 Pan Championship in men’s Master 6 black-belt middleweight.

      Where in the source: Male / Master 6 / Black / Middle (181.60lb).

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  • IBJJF, Pan Championship 2022(opens in a new tab)

    • He repeated that Master 6 black-belt middleweight bronze at the 2022 Pan Championship for Boran Jiu-Jitsu.

      Where in the source: Male / Master 6 / Black / Middle (181.60lb).

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  • IBJJF, Pan Championship 2026, final results 29 March 2026(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 2026 Pan Championship he placed third for Boran Jiu-Jitsu in men’s Master 7 black-belt middleweight.

      Where in the source: Male / Master 7 / Black / Middle (181.60lb).

      Accessed:

    • The 2026 Pan results record Luis Sergio Roman as a black-belt competitor.

      Where in the source: Same complete Master7 black middleweight division.

      Accessed:

Lineage

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