Sherdog’s Top 10: Jiu-Jitsu Players in MMA

Mike SloanApr 06, 2016

7. Ronaldo Souza

One of the great submission gurus of all-time, “Jacare” has proven to be one of MMA’s most dangerous fighters on the mat. He has built a fine resume in the cage, as he captured the Strikeforce middleweight championship with a unanimous decision against Tim Kennedy in August 2010 and then defended it by submitting Robbie Lawler with a rear-naked choke five months later.

Mentioned in the same breath as Marcelo Garcia and Roger Gracie, “Jacare” is regarded as one of the greatest jiu-jitsu players of this generation. A multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, he is a two-time gold medalist and three-time silver medalist at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships. When it comes to straight jiu-jitsu accomplishments, few can hold a candle to Souza.

Souza has enjoyed a stellar MMA career, as well, with 16 submissions to his credit. Among his victims: Lawler, Gegard Mousasi, Alexander Shlemenko, Chris Camozzi (twice), Ed Herman and Matt Lindland. The 36-year-old remains one of the best middleweights in the UFC and figures to be on a short list of potential title contenders for some time to come.

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