Creator credit recorded on the linked source page: Matt Hecht · CC0 1.0
Ricardo Almeida
“Cachorrao”
Source: bjjheroes.comRicardo Almeida helped establish Renzo Gracie's school, became his first black belt, and earned four ADCC medals and a Pancrase title.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, “Ricardo Almeida ‘Cachorrão’”, accessed 9 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Ricardo Almeida is also known by the Portuguese nickname Cachorrão, rendered without diacritics in the live field as Cachorrao.
Where in the source: Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu — Nickname
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Almeida began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age 17 at Gracie Barra in Rio de Janeiro.
Where in the source: Ricardo Almeida Biography — 17 years old
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Almeida moved to New York with Renzo Gracie to help establish Gracie's school and became Renzo Gracie's first black belt.
Where in the source: Ricardo Almeida Biography — very first black belt
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Almeida retired from MMA for the second and final time in March 2011 after his UFC 128 bout.
Where in the source: Final biography paragraph — March 2011
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Pancrase, “ALMEIDA, Ricardo”, accessed 9 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Pancrase's official fighter profile gives Almeida's date of birth as 29 November 1976.
Where in the source: Fighter summary — dob: 11/29/1976
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Pancrase's official profile lists Almeida's gym as Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy.
Where in the source: Fighter summary — gym
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Pancrase's original honors list records Almeida as an ADCC runner-up in 1998 and 2001 and a third-place finisher in 1999 and 2000.
Where in the source: title — four A.D.C.C. entries, 1998–2001
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The official Pancrase profile records Almeida as the 2003 middleweight King of Pancrase after compiling a 5–0 Pancrase record through 30 November 2003.
Where in the source: Pancrase match record and title — King of Pancrase
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Wikipedia, “Ricardo Almeida”, accessed 9 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
The biographical lead identifies Almeida as Brazilian-American.
Where in the source: Lead paragraph — Brazilian-American
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Ricardo Almeida BJJ Academy, “About Us”, accessed 9 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Ricardo Almeida BJJ Academy identifies Almeida as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie.
Where in the source: Opening academy biography — Black Belt
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Ricardo Almeida BJJ Academy states that Almeida currently holds sixth degree on his black belt.
Where in the source: Opening academy biography — 6th Degree Black Belt
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Fighters Only, “The Big Dog”, April 2010.(opens in a new tab)
Almeida said his move into MMA was unplanned: while helping Renzo Gracie prepare and corner fighters, he accepted a late opportunity at PRIDE 12 and won against Akira Shoji.
Where in the source: The Big Dog — There was really no plan
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Almeida said he retired in 2004 to focus on his students and school; the academy then grew into a large jiu-jitsu institution with a community role.
Where in the source: The Big Dog — focus on my school
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Almeida returned to MMA competition in 2008 after seeing a new generation of fighters integrate takedowns, submissions and striking at a higher technical level, a development he wanted to join.
Where in the source: The Big Dog — question about 2008 and answer on technical development
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BJJ Heroes, “Emily Kwok”, accessed 9 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
BJJ Heroes reports that Ricardo Almeida awarded Emily Kwok her brown and black belts, with the black belt awarded in December 2008.
Where in the source: Emily Kwok Biography — December 2008
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Ricardo Almeida BJJ Academy, “RABJJ Academy”, accessed 9 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Ricardo Almeida BJJ Academy identifies Ricardo Almeida as its founder and describes more than 27 years of instruction through the academy.
Where in the source: WHO ARE WE — Over 27 years; Founded by
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Competition results
| Year | Event | Result | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | ADCC 2003Source: adcombat.com-88 kgNo-giVerified | 4th place | -88 kgNo-giVerified |
| 2001 | ADCC 2001Source: adcombat.comAbsoluteNo-giVerified | 4th place | AbsoluteNo-giVerified |
| 2001 | ADCC 2001Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified | 2nd place | -99 kgNo-giVerified |
| 2000 | ADCC 2000Source: adcombat.comAbsoluteNo-giVerified | 3rd place | AbsoluteNo-giVerified |
| 1999 | ADCC 1999Source: adcombat.com-99 kgNo-giVerified | 3rd place | -99 kgNo-giVerified |