Romero Cavalcanti
Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti trained with Rolls Gracie before co-founding Alliance Jiu Jitsu in 1993.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, "Romero ‘Jacaré’ Cavalcanti" (accessed 2026-09-12).(opens in a new tab)
BJJ Heroes identifies Romero Cavalcanti, known as Jacaré, as a native of Recife born in 1952.
Where in the source: October 17, 1952; Jacaré means Alligator
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BJJ Heroes reports that Cavalcanti returned to Rio de Janeiro in late 1974 and resumed Brazilian jiu-jitsu training with Rolls Gracie.
Where in the source: late 1974
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BJJ Heroes says that Rolls Gracie awarded Cavalcanti a black belt in 1982.
Where in the source: Black Belt ... 1982
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BJJ Heroes reports that Cavalcanti and former students formed a new team called Alliance in 1993.
Where in the source: called Alliance
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Alliance Jiu Jitsu, "A História da Associação Alliance" (accessed 2026-09-12).(opens in a new tab)
Alliance's institutional history says that Romero Cavalcanti, Fábio Gurgel and Alexandre ‘Gigi’ Paiva joined forces in 1993 to create Alliance Jiu Jitsu.
Where in the source: em 1993, os três decidiram unir forças
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Alliance's institutional history says that, before the 1993 founding, Fábio Gurgel and Alexandre ‘Gigi’ Paiva were Romero Cavalcanti's two principal students and led their own teams.
Where in the source: seus dois principais alunos
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Alliance Jiu Jitsu Atlanta, "Our Lineage" (accessed 2026-09-12).(opens in a new tab)
Alliance Jiu Jitsu Atlanta identifies Cavalcanti as an 8th-degree red-and-white belt, one of Alliance's founders and a Grandmaster; it says he retired from day-to-day teaching in 2018 and still visits for seminars and workshops.
Where in the source: 8th-Degree Red and White Belt
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "Hall of Fame" (accessed 2026-09-12).(opens in a new tab)
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation's Hall of Fame lists Romero Cavalcanti.
Where in the source: ROMERO CAVALCANTI
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "The Alliance Dynasty | An Empire and Their Potential Grand Slam Sweep in 2026", 18 May 2026.(opens in a new tab)
In a 2026 feature, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation says Alliance was founded in 1993 by Romero Cavalcanti, Fábio Gurgel and Alexandre Paiva and reports more than 300 affiliates in 29 countries.
Where in the source: Founded in 1993
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