Ed Ramos

Eduardo Ramos was born on August 22, 1980, in Mirassol, São Paulo, Brazil — but his introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu unfolded thousands of miles from home. During his teenage years in Japan, Ramos discovered the art in an environment virtually uncharted by Brazilian practitioners of his generation, giving his origin story a rare distinction within the sport's history.

His first instructor was Sougen Shimizu, a starting point that placed Ramos well outside the typical Brazilian academy lineage defining most competitors of his era. Shimizu guided Ramos through his foundational years on the mats, promoting him to purple belt and instilling a distinctly international perspective on the art — one that would continue to shape his development long after his return to Brazil.

Ramos returned to Brazil in 2005 and immediately sought elite-level training, joining Nova União under Robson Moura. A celebrated lightweight specialist and multiple-time world champion, Moura ran one of the most technically refined teaching environments in Brazil at the time. Under his guidance, Ramos earned his brown belt and gained direct exposure to the mechanics and mindset of world-class competitive BJJ.

When Moura relocated to the United States, Ramos transitioned to Atos in Rio Claro, São Paulo — a move that proved pivotal. He became part of the legendary Rio Claro lightweights team that emerged as a dominant force on the international competition circuit during the early 2010s. In December 2009, Ramon Lemos promoted Ramos to black belt, completing a belt journey that had spanned two continents and three world-class training environments.

Establishing Elite Credentials at Brown Belt

Ramos's competitive results revealed his readiness for the highest level long before he received his black belt. In 2009, he reached the final of the IBJJF World Championship as a brown belt — a performance that signaled exceptional technical maturity. He also placed second at the IBJJF South American Championship as a brown belt in 2007, establishing an early pattern of podium consistency across major events.

Black Belt Dominance in the Peso Pena Division

Competing at black belt in the Peso Pena division (70 kg / 154.5 lbs) — historically one of the most competitive weight classes in the sport — Ramos built a record that reflected both his technical depth and competitive durability. He captured gold at the 2011 IBJJF European Open and claimed the IBJJF Pan Championship title that same year, one of the sport's most prestigious honors. His consistency at the European Open stood out, with additional podium appearances in 2010, 2012, and 2013. Bronze medals at the IBJJF South American Championship and the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals in 2012 further cemented his standing as one of the division's most reliable performers.

Masters Division Success and Longevity

Ramos extended his competitive presence into the Masters divisions with equal effectiveness. He claimed gold at the IBJJF Masters World Championship in 2012 and added a No-Gi World Championship title in 2015, demonstrating that his technical game translated seamlessly across rule sets. A silver medal at the IBJJF Pan Championship in 2018 confirmed that his competitive edge remained sharp well into his Masters career — a testament to the durability of his foundational development.

In 2015, André Galvão personally offered Ramos an instructor position in Houston, Texas — an invitation that spoke to the regard in which Ramos was held within the Atos organization. Ramos accepted, relocated to Houston, and began establishing roots in the local BJJ community while developing a dedicated student base.

Over time, contractual conflicts with Atos affiliates prompted Ramos to chart an independent course. He founded Ed Ramos Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu USA (ERBJJ), building his own association and establishing a distinct lineage in the United States. The academy embodies the full arc of his BJJ journey — a foundation laid in Japan under Sougen Shimizu, refined in Brazil through Robson Moura and Ramon Lemos, and ultimately institutionalized under his own name in Houston.

ERBJJ stands as a reflection of the multicultural path that has defined Ramos's relationship with jiu-jitsu from the beginning, merging the technical rigor of his Brazilian training years with the international outlook he developed before he ever set foot on a mat in Brazil.