Career
He is considered the best featherweight in the decade and to be among the best pound for pound jiu jitsu competitors in the world. He started training BJJ in 2000, received his black belt in 2005, and has since medaled in every World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in which he has competed - a total of ten. He is known for his attacking style of jiu jitsu and, in particular, for his guard.
His guard was voted the best Guard of the Decade by fellow World Champions.
Before opening his own school Cobrinha BJJ in Los Angeles, California, in 2011, he was an instructor at the Alliance Jiu Jitsu headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. One of his notable students is Fabricio Werdum.
IBJJF World Championships
2013 - Black Belt -70kg: 3rd Place
2012 - Black Belt -70kg: 2nd Place
2011 - Black Belt -70kg: 3rd Place
2010 - Black Belt -70kg: 2nd Place
2009 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
2008 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
2007 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
2006 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
IBJJF World Number-Gi Championships
2012 - Black Belt -76kg: 1st Place
2008 - Black Belt -76kg: 1st Place
2007 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
IBJJF Pan American Championships
2013 - Black Belt -70kg: 2nd Place
2012 - Black Belt -70kg: 2nd Place
2010 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
2009 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
2009 - Black Belt -Open Weight: 3rd Place
2008 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
2007 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
IBJJF Pan American Number-Gi Championships
2008 - Black Belt -76kg: 1st Place
IBJJF European Open Championships
2013 - Black Belt -70kg: 1st Place
ADCC 2013 Abu Dhabi Combat Club: Beijing
-66 kg: 1st place
ADCC 2011 Abu Dhabi Combat Club: Nottingham
-66 kg: 2nd place
ADCC 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Club: Barcelona
-66 kg: 2nd place
World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup
2011 - Black Belt -Absolute: 2nd Place
2011 - Black Belt -74kg: 3rd Place
2009 - Black Belt -65kg: 2nd Place.