“Patsarigov is often called "Messi" as it is an easier way to say than Muslim.”
Belt
Black
Nationality
Norwegian(Europe)
Born
1987
Team
Felipe Mota / Roger Gracie
Generation
1
Biography
Born in Chechnya in 1987, Muslim Patsarigov came to jiu-jitsu with a serious base: a former Chechen junior national wrestler with the kind of top pressure that translates straight onto the mats. He earned his black belt under Felipe 'Gargamel' Mota at OXY Gym in Sandnes, the same west-coast programme that has produced Julia Mæle.
At black belt he has carved out one of the strongest international records of any Norwegian heavyweight. He took silver in the Absolute and Super-Heavy divisions at the 2022 ADCC European Trials, losing the final to Daniel Manasoiu, and has medalled at IBJJF European, Pan and World No-Gi Championships as well as the Abu Dhabi World Pro.
In a country still short on big-bodied grapplers at world level, Patsarigov is the rare Norwegian who walks into the heavyweight bracket at every major European tournament expecting to be on the podium.