Career
At ATT"s main facility, Libório helps to train a stable of UFC, Bellator, and other professional fighters, including Thiago Alves, Robbie Lawler, Antônio Silva, Nik Lentz, Marcus Brimage, Hector Lombard, Cole Miller, Micah Miller, Jeff Monson, Brad Pickett, Ken Stone, Gleison Tibau, Steve Mocco, Tecia Torres, Dan Cramer, Yoel Romero, Colby Covington, Muhammed Lawal, Nathan Coy, Steve Carl, Attila Vegh, Valérie Létourneau, Jorge Masvidal, Jessica Aguilar, Dustin Poirier, and Tyron Woodley. According to Fight!
Antônio Ricardo Jardim Libório was born on July 13, 1967, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His introduction to combat sports began at the age of 4, when he began studying Judo.
He later took up tae kwon do and boxing.
At 14, he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Carlson Gracie academy in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, which produced black belts such as Vitor Belfort, André Pederneiras, and Ricardo de la Riva. Libório received his black belt from Carlson Gracie in 1993 at the age of 26.
He was awarded the title of "Most Technical Black Belt" in that tournament. In 2000, Libório competed in the International Masters Mundials under his middle name, Antônio Jardim, taking gold in the meio-pesado (middle-heavy) division.
Ricardo co-founded Brazilian Top Team in collaboration with three other Carlson Gracie students, Murilo Bustamante, Luis Duarte, and Mario Sperry.
In 2001 Ricardo was approached by American businessman and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, Dan Lambert. Dan recruited Ricardo, and together they formed a partnership, which would eventually become American Top Team. On August 29, 2015, Libório fought former Carlson Gracie teammate, Mario Sperry, in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship "Superfight." After 20 minutes and two overtime periods, the referees awarded the decision to Libório.
After craniosynostosis rendered Libório"s daughter, Bella, blind at 1½ years old, he developed a community outreach program through American Top Team.
The academy is certified to teach judo to visually impaired students. 2nd Abu Dhabi Submission Tournament 2000.
3rd Abu Dhabi Submission Tournament 1999. NAGA Coach of the year in 2005.
Inducted into the NAGA Grappling Hall of Fame.
National Coach for United States of America Grappling.