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Murilo Bustamante

Murilo Bustamante is a Brazilian eighth-degree coral belt, Brazilian Top Team founding member, jiu-jitsu world champion and former UFC middleweight champion.

Biography

Murilo Bustamante is a Brazilian eighth-degree red-and-white coral belt, a founding member of Brazilian Top Team, and a former UFC middleweight champion who also won a world jiu-jitsu title. Across interviews, Bustamante recalled starting judo at five, following his older brothers to Carlson Gracie's academy around age ten, and continuing to train while earning an economics degree. Carlson remained his jiu-jitsu instructor through the years Bustamante described in a 1999 interview. Competing as a black belt for Carlson Gracie, Bustamante won both the super-heavy division and the open class at the 1994 Brazilian championship. He placed second in the heavy division at the 1996 world championship, then third in both the heavy division and open class at the 1998 worlds. He was also second in the heavy division at the 1998 Brazilian championship. In 1999, he won the world championship's heavy division and the Brazilian championship's open class. In 2000, Bustamante left Carlson Gracie's academy and helped establish Brazilian Top Team. Founded that April, the team worked across jiu-jitsu, submission grappling, wrestling and mixed martial arts. In a 2011 interview, Bustamante described developing his own approach to teaching MMA there and said the team brought wrestling coach Darryl Gholar to Brazil around 2001. He credited Gholar with helping him plan takedowns against wrestlers. Bustamante said he chose a direct title opportunity against Dave Menne over a rematch with Chuck Liddell after losing a decision to Liddell. At UFC 35 on January 11, 2002, he stopped Menne in the second round to win the middleweight title, becoming the first Brazilian UFC champion. He defended the title against Matt Lindland at UFC 37 with a third-round guillotine choke, then vacated it when he left the organization for PRIDE. He reached the final of PRIDE's 2005 Welterweight Grand Prix. Brazilian Top Team marked Bustamante's seventh-degree red-and-black coral belt at a Rio de Janeiro ceremony on August 4, 2019. On August 2, 2026, he received the eighth-degree red-and-white coral belt at AABB Lagoa in Rio.

Sources for this profile

  • Zac Pacleb, UFC, 'Murilo Bustamante: Brazil’s First UFC Champion | UFC 30th Anniversary', January 1, 2023.(opens in a new tab)

    • UFC reports that Murilo Bustamante became the first Brazilian UFC champion when he stopped Dave Menne in the second round at UFC 35 in 2002, then defended the middleweight title by submitting Matt Lindland with a third-round guillotine at UFC 37 four months later.

      Where in the source: Rendered/search-indexed article under 'Murilo Bustamante: Brazil’s First UFC Champion': 'it wasn’t until Murilo Bustamante beat Dave Menne in 2002 that Brazil had its first UFC champion'; later paragraphs state 'via second-round TKO at UFC 35' and 'submitted Matt Lindland via guillotine choke in the third round.'

      Accessed:

    • UFC reports that Bustamante vacated the UFC title to compete in PRIDE, reached the 2005 PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix final, and had helped found Brazilian Top Team in 2000.

      Where in the source: Rendered/search-indexed article later paragraphs: 'Bustamante would vacate the title afterward, opting to compete in Japan under the PRIDE banner'; 'In 2005, Bustamante reached PRIDE’s Welterweight Grand Prix Final'; and 'In 2000, Bustamante helped found Brazilian Top Team.'

      Accessed:

    • UFC’s 2023 retrospective says Murilo Bustamante defeated Dave Menne by second-round TKO at UFC 35 in 2002 to win the middleweight title.

      Where in the source: Under 'MURILO BUSTAMANTE: BRAZIL’S FIRST UFC CHAMPION | UFC 30TH ANNIVERSARY': 'Murilo Bustamante beat Dave Menne in 2002'; later, 'via second-round TKO at UFC 35'.

      Accessed:

  • Eduardo Ferreira, Brazilian Top Team, 'Murilo Bustamante receives red-and-black belt, remembers his firsts steps in BJJ and the long journey until the new belt', August 7, 2019.(opens in a new tab)

    • Brazilian Top Team reported that Murilo Bustamante received a seventh-degree red-and-black coral belt at its Rio de Janeiro headquarters on August 4, 2019, in a ceremony involving Álvaro Barreto, Fernando Pinduka, and Otávio Peixotinho.

      Where in the source: Rendered article opening: 'After receiving the new belt by GM Álvaro Barreto and Masters Fernando Pinduka and Otávio Peixotinho'; later: 'On August 4th, a special ceremony was held at the BTT headquarters in Rio de Janeiro to graduate Murilo to the coral belt.'

      Accessed:

  • International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, 'World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 1999', official event results, undated archive.(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 1999 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship, Murilo Bustamante of Carlson Lagoa placed first in the Adult Black Male Heavy division.

      Where in the source: Source words: heading 'Adult / Black / Male / Heavy'; full block reads '1 | Murilo Bustamante Carlson Lagoa', '2 | Paulo Filho Carlson Lagoa', '3 | Fabio Gurgel Alliance', and '3 | Leonardo Dalla Jorge Pereira'. The adjacent Medium Heavy and Super Heavy blocks were read to establish the position-name-team column order.

      Accessed:

  • Chris Onzuka, translation by Joao Morais, '1999 World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion: Murilo Bustamante', interview conducted December 11, 1999.(opens in a new tab)

    • In a December 1999 interview, Murilo Bustamante said he began training with Carlson Gracie at age ten, that Carlson had always been his instructor, and that he had been a black belt for twelve years at the time of the interview.

      Where in the source: Rendered interview under 'Tell us about your background?': Bustamante says, 'I started training with Carlson Gracie when I was 10 years'; under 'Has Carlson Gracie always been your instructor?' he answers 'Yes'; under 'How long have your been a black belt' he says, 'I have been a black belt for 12 years.'

      Accessed:

    • In a 1999 interview, Bustamante said he had earned an economics degree while continuing jiu-jitsu training.

      Where in the source: Under 'Why did you choose Jiu-Jitsu?', after recalling his brothers' training, he says 'I also went to college and got an Economics degree'.

      Accessed:

  • Brazilian Top Team, official home page, copyright 2000–2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Brazilian Top Team says it was founded in April 2000 to develop training methods for sport jiu-jitsu, submission grappling, wrestling, and mixed martial arts.

      Where in the source: Rendered home page under 'ABOUT': 'Brazilian Top Team was founded in April 2000 to develop and create new training methodologies for sports jiu-jitsu, submission & grappling, wrestling and mixed martial arts.'

      Accessed:

    • Brazilian Top Team's official site identifies Murilo Bustamante as a seventh-degree jiu-jitsu practitioner, the 1999 world champion, a four-time Brazilian champion, a UFC middleweight champion, and a founding member of Brazilian Top Team.

      Where in the source: Rendered home page under 'FOUNDER': 'Master of Jiu-Jitsu 7th degree. World champion in 1999. Four times Brazilian champion. UFC Middleweight World Champion. Founding member of Brazilian Top Team.'

      Accessed:

  • International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, 'Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu 1994', official event results, undated archive.(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 1994 Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu, Murilo Bustamante of Carlson Gracie placed first in both the Adult Black Male Super Heavy division and the Adult Black Male Open Class.

      Where in the source: Source words: heading 'Adult / Black / Male / Super Heavy' with '1 | Murilo Bustamante Carlson Gracie' and '2 | Leonardo C. Branco Master'; heading 'Adult / Black / Male / Open Class' with '1 | Murilo Bustamante Carlson Gracie' and '2 | Amauri Bitetti Carlson Gracie'. The intervening Ultra Heavy block and preceding Heavy block were read to establish the position-name-team column order.

      Accessed:

  • Thomas Gerbasi, UFC, 'UFC Middleweight Title Lineage', February 26, 2024.(opens in a new tab)

    • UFC's middleweight title lineage says Murilo Bustamante won the title from Dave Menne at UFC 35, defended it against Matt Lindland, and then vacated it when he left the organization.

      Where in the source: Rendered article under the title chronology: 'Murilo Bustamante (2002) Defeats Menne at UFC 35 (1/11/02) to win the title. Bustamante defends the title against Matt Lindland and then vacates the title as he leaves the organization.'

      Accessed:

  • Graciemag Newsroom, 'Murilo Bustamante recebe faixa vermelha e branca em cerimônia histórica no Rio de Janeiro', August 3, 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Murilo Bustamante received his eighth-degree red-and-white coral belt on August 2, 2026, at an AABB Lagoa ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, superseding the seventh-degree rank documented in 2019.

      Where in the source: Opening under 'Murilo Bustamante recebe faixa vermelha e branca': 'neste domingo (2)' and 'faixa vermelha e branca (8º grau)'; article date '03/08/2026' and location 'ginásio da AABB Lagoa, no Rio de Janeiro'.

      Accessed:

    • Graciemag reports that Murilo Bustamante received the eighth-degree red-and-white jiu-jitsu belt at the completed August 2, 2026 ceremony in Rio de Janeiro; the red-and-white belt is the coral rank.

      Where in the source: Under 'Murilo Bustamante recebe faixa vermelha e branca em cerimônia histórica no Rio de Janeiro': 'neste domingo (2), ao receber a faixa vermelha e branca (8º grau) de Jiu-Jitsu'; article dated '03/08/2026'.

      Accessed:

  • Marcelo Alonso and Sourav Chakraborty, Sherdog, August 4, 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Sherdog independently reported Bustamante's promotion to the eighth degree with a red-and-white coral belt at AABB Lagoa in August 2026.

      Where in the source: Under 'Murilo Bustamante brings together MMA and jiu-jitsu legends for his 8th-degree belt promotion': 'promoted to 8th-degree black belt, receiving the red-and-white coral belt' and 'AABB club in Lagoa'.

      Accessed:

  • Daniël Bertina, interview with Murilo Bustamante, BJJ Legends Magazine, February 3, 2011.(opens in a new tab)

    • Bustamante recalled beginning jiu-jitsu with Carlson Gracie around age ten after accompanying his older brothers to the academy; he said he had practiced judo since age five and began competing around age fourteen.

      Where in the source: Interview question 'Tell us about your start in jiu jitsu': 'around ten years old', brothers 'already training with Carlson', 'judo since I was five years old', and 'compete around the age of fourteen'.

      Accessed:

    • In a 2011 interview, Bustamante said he left Carlson Gracie's academy in 2000 to form Brazilian Top Team, where he developed his own approach to teaching mixed martial arts.

      Where in the source: In answer to 'How did Carlson adapt sport jiu jitsu for mixed martial arts?': 'After I left the Carlson academy in 2000 to form Brazilian Top Team, I created my own system to teach MMA'.

      Accessed:

    • Bustamante said BTT brought wrestling coach Darryl Gholar to Brazil around 2001, and that Gholar helped him plan takedowns against skilled wrestlers as part of his cross-training for MMA.

      Where in the source: Under 'Can you describe your own style?': 'Around 2001 learned a lot of fantastic details from my former wrestling coach Darryl Gholar' and 'we brought over to Brazil to teach at Brazilian Top Team'.

      Accessed:

  • Gleidson Venga, ge/Combate, 'O primeiro cinturão do UFC para o Brasil', January 11, 2020.(opens in a new tab)

    • Bustamante told ge in 2020 that after losing a decision to Chuck Liddell, he was offered either a rematch or a direct middleweight title bout with Dave Menne; he chose the title opportunity.

      Where in the source: After 'A discordância de Dana White com o resultado', Bustamante recalls 'uma oportunidade de revanche com o Chuck Liddell ou uma chance pelo título dos médios contra o campeão, que era o Dave Menne' and 'fiz o caminho mais curto'.

      Accessed:

  • International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 1996, official result archive.(opens in a new tab)

    • The 1996 IBJJF World Championship lists Murilo Bustamante of Carlson Gracie second in the adult black-belt male heavy division, behind Fabio Gurgel of Alliance.

      Where in the source: 'Adult / Black / Male / Heavy' complete division: '1 Fabio Gurgel Alliance' and '2 Murilo Bustamante Carlson Gracie'; adjacent Medium Heavy and Super Heavy divisions checked for column order.

      Accessed:

  • International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 1998, official result archive.(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's 1998 World Championship results list Bustamante of Carlson Gracie joint third in both adult black-belt male heavy and open-class divisions.

      Where in the source: 'Adult / Black / Male / Heavy': '3 MURILO BUSTAMANTE CARLSON GRACIE' alongside Bruno Severiano; 'Adult / Black / Male / Open Class': the same third-place line alongside David Meyer; neighboring blocks checked.

      Accessed:

  • International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu 1998, official result archive.(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's 1998 Brazilian Championship lists Bustamante of Carlson Gracie second in the adult black-belt male heavy division, behind Amaury Bitetti.

      Where in the source: 'Adult / Black / Male / Heavy' complete division: '1 Amaury Bitetti Carlson Gracie', '2 Murilo Bustamante Carlson Gracie', then the two third-place rows; adjacent divisions checked.

      Accessed:

  • International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu 1999, official result archive.(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 1999 Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu, Bustamante of Carlson Gracie placed first in the adult black-belt male open class; the same event's heavy division lists Rodrigo Medeiros first and does not place Bustamante there.

      Where in the source: 'Adult / Black / Male / Open Class': '1 Murilo Bustamante Carlson Gracie' and '2 Claudio Moreno Alliance'; 'Adult / Black / Male / Heavy' has '1 Rodrigo Medeiros Alliance'.

      Accessed:

Competition results

Recorded tournament results, newest first
YearEventResultDivision
1999IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-94 kgGiVerified1st place-94 kgGiVerified
1996IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-94 kgGiVerified2nd place-94 kgGiVerified

Lineage

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Trained under

Students3