Rodolfo Vieira was born on September 25, 1989, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began grappling at age 13, initially motivated by a desire to lose weight. Under the instruction of Arlans Maia and Bruno Souza, Vieira learned the foundational principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on positional awareness and basic submissions. After earning his blue belt, he transitioned to Universidade Gama Filho, training under Julio César Pereira. This team would later evolve into Grappling Fight Team, providing Vieira with a competitive environment that shaped his technical development.

Breakthrough Performance and Black Belt Promotion

Vieira's ascent to international prominence began at the 2009 Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship. As a brown belt, he delivered a statement victory by defeating two-time black belt world champion Braulio Estima. This win showcased Vieira's aggressive guard passing and tactical pressure, hallmarks of his style. Upon returning to Brazil, Julio César Pereira awarded him his black belt at the airport, marking a pivotal moment in his career.

Establishing Dominance in the Heavyweight Division

Transitioning to black belt, Vieira quickly established himself as one of the premier heavyweight Gi competitors of his generation. His relentless top pressure, technical guard passing, and ability to neutralize elite opponents set him apart. Consistent podium finishes at major tournaments solidified his reputation as one of the sport’s most formidable guard passers and a dominant force in both national and international arenas.

Adapting BJJ for MMA

After achieving elite status in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Vieira transitioned to mixed martial arts, joining American Top Team. He signed with the UFC in 2019, where he began integrating his grappling expertise into the MMA landscape. Vieira balanced his MMA pursuits with occasional returns to high-level grappling competition, demonstrating versatility across disciplines.

UFC Achievements and Submission Specialization

Vieira earned three "Performance of the Night" bonuses in the UFC, highlighting his finishing ability. He set the record for the most arm-triangle choke submission wins in UFC middleweight history, securing four finishes with this technique. Notable victories include his arm-triangle choke submission of Armen Petrosyan in 2024. By early 2024, Vieira compiled a 10-3 MMA record, underscoring his capacity to translate world-class jiu-jitsu into MMA success.

Navigating Medical Setbacks

In 2022, Vieira faced a significant health challenge when a neurological evaluation cast uncertainty over his fighting future. After a period of medical scrutiny, he was cleared to compete mid-year, expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to continue his career.

Strategic Training Adjustments

In 2023, Vieira made a pivotal adjustment by hiring a dedicated Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach for the first time in his MMA career. He credited this move with sharpening his ground game and refining his technical approach for UFC competition, further enhancing his effectiveness in high-pressure scenarios.

High-Profile Grappling Return

Vieira returned to elite grappling at ADXC 7 2024 in Abu Dhabi, where he submitted UFC veteran Derek Brunson in a no-gi superfight. This performance reaffirmed his status as a top-tier grappler capable of dominating across formats.

Continued MMA Success

After more than a year away from MMA, Vieira returned to the UFC at UFC Vegas 102 2025 in February 2025, facing Andre Petroski. On August 2, 2025, at UFC Vegas 108 2025, Vieira secured a decision win over Tresean Gore, demonstrating resilience and adaptability at the highest levels of both MMA and grappling.

Rodolfo Vieira is renowned for his relentless guard passing and submission-oriented strategy, excelling in both Gi and no-gi competition. His technical precision, aggressive top control, and ability to impose his game on elite opponents have defined his career. Vieira’s adaptability—evident in his transition from BJJ to MMA and his response to health setbacks—underscores his resilience and commitment to evolution. His legacy is marked by his status as one of the most effective guard passers and submission specialists of his generation, leaving a lasting impact on both the grappling and MMA worlds.