Davi Ramos

Davi Ramos was born on November 5, 1986, in Brazil, and discovered jiu-jitsu early in his life. His development as a martial artist was shaped almost entirely by César Guimarães, widely known as "Casquinha" — founder of Top Brother and son of Carlson Gracie black belt Walter Guimarães. Under Master Casquinha's guidance, Ramos steadily climbed through the competitive ranks, eventually earning his black belt and becoming one of the academy's most prominent representatives.

As his reputation grew, Ramos embraced a broader role as an ambassador for Master Casquinha and the Top Brother brand on the international circuit. That commitment culminated in a landmark achievement off the mats: Ramos became the first person to open a Top Brother affiliate academy outside of Brazil, establishing the outpost in Mexico. The move reflected both his entrepreneurial drive and the trust Master Casquinha placed in him as a carrier of the team's values and technical identity.

Despite a strong foundation at Top Brother, Ramos remained largely under the radar during the early stages of his career. That changed when he joined the Atos Jiu-Jitsu training camp led by Ramon Lemos in San Diego, California. Atos was already regarded as one of the premier training environments in the world, and the association elevated Ramos's visibility considerably on the international stage.

The defining breakthrough came at the 2011 Grapplers Quest Las Vegas, where Ramos announced himself to the grappling world with a dominant run through the bracket. He submitted six of his seven opponents, defeating established names including Jeff Monson and Joao Assis. The performance put his submission-first philosophy on full display and set the tone for the career that followed. Most of his most significant achievements came during his time representing Atos, cementing his place among the top grapplers of his generation.

Competitive Identity

Ramos built his reputation on a fast, aggressive, and relentlessly submission-focused style that thrived in no-gi and submission-only formats. Rather than accumulating points through positional control, he prioritized forward pressure and the pursuit of finishes — a philosophy that translated naturally into elite no-gi competition, where the margin for error is narrow and the pace unforgiving.

Championship Results

The pinnacle of his grappling career arrived in 2015, when Ramos claimed gold at the ADCC World Championship — widely regarded as the most prestigious no-gi grappling event in the world. The title validated years of high-level competition and confirmed his standing among the sport's absolute elite. He demonstrated sustained excellence at the top level with a victory at the ACBJJ 75KG Grand Prix in 2018, adding another elite submission grappling title to his résumé. Earlier in his career, he had captured gold at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NoGi in 2010 and at the 2011 Grapplers Quest Las Vegas, building a consistent record across different formats and competitive environments. His six finishes at the 2011 Grapplers Quest remain one of the most vivid illustrations of his finish-hunting approach.

Crossing Over to MMA

Following his success on the grappling circuit, Davi Ramos transitioned into professional mixed martial arts, carrying his elite submission game and explosive athleticism into the cage. His background as a high-level no-gi grappler translated naturally to MMA, where his ability to control opponents on the ground and hunt for finishes gave him a distinct competitive edge.

UFC Tenure and Beyond

Ramos went on to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, becoming a UFC veteran and one of the more prominent examples of an elite BJJ competitor making a successful crossover into professional MMA. After his UFC tenure, he continued to pursue an active career in mixed martial arts. On May 31, 2024, Ramos was scheduled to face Ali Abdulkhalikov in the opening round of a lightweight grand prix at ACA 176 — a booking that reflected his enduring appetite for high-level competition. His career arc, from Top Brother black belt to ADCC champion to professional MMA fighter, exemplifies the path of a generation of athletes driven to test their skills across every available format.