Manuel Ribamar, also known as "Riba", is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Rodrigo Pinheiro and Cicero Costha, being regarded as one of the top middleweight competitors of his generation in the sport. Born in the state of Amazonas - Brazil, Ribamar has had a few different coaches going up the ranks, but it was at Cicero Costha's PSLPB academy that his grappling style truly developed, earning him titles at the World and South American Championships.