Trained by coach extraordinaire Rodrigo Cavaca, Renato Cardoso made a big name for himself in late 2012 being revered by jiu jitsu's media as the new "crown jewel" of the Checkmat Team. This status came after a series of positive performances in his first couple of months as a black belt, a time when Renato Cardoso conquered the medium heavyweight world jiu jitsu title (CBJJE) as well as the Sao Paulo International Open (IBJJF), only a few weeks later in both his weight class and the absolute by submitting every one of his 9 opponents. In mid 2014 Cardoso switched training camps and moved to the Alliance academy in Sao Paulo.