This list presents the top 5 BJJ practitioners who currently compete inside the UFC’s Octagon. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was a dominant fighting style in the early days of the UFC. The promotion set the narrative that the Gracie family was instrumental in building the foundation for modern MMA, both inside and outside the cage.

Even though the Gracie influence is now in the past, BJJ still remains one of the best fighting styles. Wrestling may challenge its status, but one thing is certain: to reach the top of the MMA world, your ground game must be strong.

Today, we will look at the top 5 BJJ practitioners in the UFC. Some have notable grappling achievements. Others show how BJJ skills can be adapted successfully to MMA.

#1 Charles Oliveira — Record Holder for Most Submission Wins in UFC History

Charles “Do Bronxs” Oliveira is a former UFC lightweight champion and holds a record-setting 16 submission victories in the Octagon.

He made his UFC debut in 2010, submitting Darren Elkins with a triangle armbar. This was a sign of things to come. Over the next 15 years, he earned 15 more submission wins and captured the lightweight title. His arsenal includes a variety of chokeholds, most often the rear-naked choke and the guillotine. Oliveira is known for relentlessly hunting submissions from any position.

A 4th-degree BJJ black belt under Ericson Cardoso and Jorge “Macaco” Patino, Oliveira shares his love for grappling through the Charles Do Bronxs Institute (ICBronxs). Founded in 2012 in his old neighborhood of Vicente de Carvalho, the institute offers free BJJ lessons to children, aiming to promote positive values.

#2 Mackenzie Dern — One of the Best Female Grapplers in History

A BJJ black belt under her father, the legendary Wellington Dias, Mackenzie Dern has excelled in both competitive grappling and the UFC.

In her UFC career, she has secured five submission wins — a strawweight division record — and set the record for most submission attempts in the division. She is just two submission wins away from tying Gillian Robertson’s all-time women’s record.

Her competitive grappling résumé includes 75 wins, 45 by submission. She has captured titles at the ADCC World Championships, IBJJF Gi and No-Gi Worlds, and won Pan-American and European Championships.

#3 Marcus Almeida — IBJJF Hall of Famer

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida is considered one of the greatest BJJ competitors of all time. A black belt under Rodrigo Cavaca, Almeida dominated the absolute division for years.

He is both an ADCC and multiple-time IBJJF world champion and won gold in both the +100 kg and Absolute divisions across multiple years (2012–2014, 2016–2017, 2019). His grappling record stands at 138 wins and only 14 losses.

In MMA, Almeida fought in ONE Championship before making his UFC debut at UFC on ABC 9.

#4 Rodolfo Vieira — ‘The Black Belt Hunter’

Rodolfo Vieira earned his nickname after, as a brown belt, he defeated several well-known black belts during the World Cup trials. Shortly after, he was promoted to black belt by Julio Cesar.

He is a one-time ADCC World Champion and a five-time IBJJF World Champion (2011–2014), with additional Pan-American and European titles.

In the UFC, Vieira has won six of nine fights, with five victories coming by submission, most often via arm-triangle and rear-naked chokes.

#5 Gilbert Burns — One of the Top Grapplers of His Generation

Gilbert “Durinho” Burns, a black belt under Rafael Barros, won both IBJJF Gi and No-Gi World Championships before focusing on MMA. He also earned bronze at the 2015 ADCC Worlds.

In the UFC, Burns’ aggressive, submission-focused style has led to victories over top names and five wins by submission.