Rômulo Azevedo

Born on June 11, 1987 in Brazil, Rômulo Azevedo grew up with a natural inclination toward combat, though that drive did not translate into sustained martial arts training during his childhood. A brief introduction to judo at age 8 failed to take hold, and he stepped away from the sport without developing a deeper commitment.

The turning point came at age 14, when his cousin — BJJ legend Victor Shaolin Ribeiro — became a defining influence. Shaolin's remarkable success in jiu-jitsu opened Rômulo's eyes to what the sport could offer, igniting a curiosity that would shape the rest of his life. It was Rômulo's brother who took the decisive step of bringing him to Welton Ribeiro's academy in Niterói, laying the foundation for what would become a long and accomplished grappling career. During this formative period, Rômulo also acquired the nickname "Caju" — a moniker that would follow him throughout his competitive journey.

From his first days on the mats, Rômulo Azevedo trained under Welton Ribeiro at his academy in Niterói. That relationship defined the entire arc of his development as a martial artist, with Ribeiro guiding Azevedo through every stage of the belt system — from white belt through to black — exemplifying the kind of long-term mentorship that reflects a traditional and deeply rooted approach to BJJ education.

Azevedo's competitive potential was evident long before his black belt promotion. In 2005, competing at blue belt, he reached the final of the IBJJF World Championship — a result that marked him as one of the most promising young grapplers of his generation. He continued building on that foundation in the years that followed, and by 2009 — the same year he received his black belt from Ribeiro at age 22 — he had already claimed the CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Championship at brown belt. His progression through the ranks was matched by competitive achievement at every stage.

As Rômulo Azevedo climbed through the black belt ranks, a growing interest in mixed martial arts drew him toward the broader challenge of full combat competition. He made his professional MMA debut in 2011, and his early performances showed genuine promise for a fighter with his grappling credentials. After a period of reflection, however, Azevedo chose to step away from MMA by the end of 2012.

The decision reflected deliberate prioritization rather than defeat. Azevedo recognized that reaching the highest levels of jiu-jitsu demanded singular focus, and he chose grappling excellence over the broader demands of a mixed martial arts career. His return to competition marked the beginning of his most productive phase as a black belt, with his output and results increasing significantly in the years that followed.

Established as one of the top medium-heavyweight competitors of his generation — competing in the Peso Meio-Pesado division at 88.30 kg / 195 lbs — Rômulo Azevedo built a black belt résumé that spanned two continents and nearly a decade of high-level competition. Recognizing that proximity to elite circuits was essential for continued growth, he began spending significant time in the United States in 2013, training out of his cousin Victor Shaolin Ribeiro's academy in New York.

Domestic and International Titles

This dual presence in Brazil and the United States translated directly into results. On home soil, he claimed the FJJ-Rio Rio de Janeiro State Championship in both 2013 and 2015, and added the CBJJO South American Championship in 2013. In North America, he collected gold at IBJJF international opens across multiple cities — Long Beach in 2014, followed by Boston, New York, and Chicago in 2015, with further wins in Boston and New York in 2016 — demonstrating consistent excellence across varied competitive environments.

A Career Defined by Discipline and Loyalty

Azevedo capped this period of his career by claiming the IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship in 2018, a title that affirmed his standing among the elite medium-heavyweight grapplers of his era. His trajectory — from a teenager inspired by a legendary cousin to a champion competing at the highest levels on two continents — stands as a testament to the discipline, loyalty, and competitive drive that define his relationship with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.