“"Suave", meaning smooth in both Portuguese and Spanish.”
Belt
Black
Nationality
US(North America)
Born
1977
Team
Jean Jacques Machado lineage
Generation
5
Biography
Ricco Rodriguez is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Jean Jacques Machado, and an important figure in the history of the sport, being the first U.S. national to earn an ADCC gold medal (1998), and the 2nd American to earn a world title in Jiu Jitsu (1997). Rodriguez was also an important figure in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) where he became the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion.