Roosevelt Sousa

Roosevelt Sousa initially pursued volleyball, starting at age 17. Standing at 193 cm (6 foot 3), he competed in both indoor and beach volleyball for four years. Despite his athletic potential, Sousa struggled to break into the sport's elite ranks. On his birthday in 2014, a friend introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Sousa immediately connected with the gi and decided to fully commit himself to the martial art.

Roosevelt Sousa began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey under instructor Iuri Alves, who guided him from white belt through brown belt. Sousa rapidly advanced through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional talent and achieving notable success in colored belt competitions. As a brown belt, he secured impressive submission victories over prominent competitors such as Mason Fowler, Roberto Jimenez, Matheus Luna, and Giancarlo Bodoni. After capturing prestigious titles at the IBJJF Worlds and Pans at brown belt, Sousa received his black belt from Alves in August 2020.

In 2019, Roosevelt Sousa received an invitation from renowned competitor Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu to train at Fight Sports headquarters in Miami. Initially brought in to help Cyborg prepare for a superfight against Nicholas Meregali, Sousa quickly adapted to the elite training environment. Representing Fight Sports in various competitions, he refined his competitive style and established himself as a formidable ultra-heavyweight competitor.

In 2019, Roosevelt Sousa encountered significant visa complications while attempting to transition from a tourist visa to an athlete visa (P1) in the United States. Due to mismanagement by his legal counsel, Sousa overstayed his tourist visa and subsequently received a ban from re-entering the USA. This visa issue prevented him from competing at the 2021 IBJJF World Championship, despite being ranked #1 in his division at the time. Sousa has since advised fellow athletes to seek reputable attorneys with proven track records when handling visa applications.

Sousa began his black belt career with an impressive 75% submission rate, quickly earning victories over several top-ranked opponents. In 2021, he captured prestigious titles at the AJP Grand Slam and the AJP King of Mats heavyweight divisions. Sousa further solidified his elite status by earning a bronze medal at the 2022 ADCC World Championship in his debut appearance, showcasing exceptional no-gi skills, tactical awareness, and competitive tenacity.

In 2019, determined to compete at the IBJJF World Championship in California, Roosevelt Sousa adopted an entrepreneurial approach by selling water bottles on the streets to finance his trip. His inspiring story resonated within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, eventually reaching legendary competitor Rômulo Barral. Barral invited Sousa to join his pre-worlds training camp in Northridge, USA, providing valuable training and exposure at the highest levels of the sport.

Roosevelt Sousa is widely recognized for his dynamic and aggressive competition style, characterized by exceptional mobility and agility uncommon among ultra-heavyweight athletes. He effectively leverages his length and athleticism, particularly in guard play and submission setups, making him a challenging and unpredictable opponent. Sousa's tactical approach, combined with his physical attributes, consistently poses significant difficulties for competitors across his division.