Judo blackbelts in MMA

[Hotora86]

Guys like Kopylov or Suloev were probably BB or BB-level....

Paulo Filho, Jacaré too

Kopylov and Suloev did Рукопашный бой (russian freestyle H2H) but not Judo.

Already had Jacare, added Filho.

 

[Jojomojo]

Good point about the gi and BJJ. No-gi BJJ is readily available and quite popular but no-gi Judo... simply doesn't exist! It's odd but may have to do with the fact that Judo orgs generally frown upon Judoka fighting in MMA. I recall that France banned their Judoka from ever competing in MMA!

Certainly many fighters could benefit from Judo training - it's a new skill which can surprise the opponent. Though I think it's better as a starting base (for kids especially) if wrestling isn't available (often the case in Europe). Judo teaches balance, discipline, effort and resilience - which are all essential traits for a fighter.

Im from Europe and i gotta agree its more spread than wrestling here. But MMA is growing and with that also Bjj and basic wrestling. We also have more and more eastern european dudes who teach sambo.
As far as my judgement goes Judo atleast in Germany has kinda become a martial arts for kids and is more about fun than actual fighting (which is totally fine). But that also leads to being more seclusive to MMA in general.
There are legit Judoka who cross train MMA (at my Gym we have 2 black belts who also train bjj and sambo) but in smaller towns Judo became a lot more watered down sadly.

Its really sad because i think its a great Martial Arts not only for self defense but also as a whole concept.

 

[gono btw]

Kopylov and Suloev did Рукопашный бой (russian freestyle H2H) but not Judo.

.

Kopylov had a background in Sambo & a lil bit of boxin´too, but his judo was legit too, imo...

Spoiler

Check his feint b4 the kneebar...

 

[Zakenkashish]

hickson gracie is a black belt i believe.
edit: to think of it kron is also a black belt and probably at least half of that family...

 

[Hotora86]

Im from Europe and i gotta agree its more spread than wrestling here. But MMA is growing and with that also Bjj and basic wrestling. We also have more and more eastern european dudes who teach sambo.
As far as my judgement goes Judo atleast in Germany has kinda become a martial arts for kids and is more about fun than actual fighting (which is totally fine). But that also leads to being more seclusive to MMA in general.
There are legit Judoka who cross train MMA (at my Gym we have 2 black belts who also train bjj and sambo) but in smaller towns Judo became a lot more watered down sadly.

Its really sad because i think its a great Martial Arts not only for self defense but also as a whole concept.

Luckily Judo still isn't as watered down and dumbed down as Karate! At least Judo has one official governing body and the standard is reasonably held everywhere. With Karate you have a dozen styles and half a dozen orgs in each style plus the quality varies depending on the sensei. Finding a legit dojo is a challenge!

Cheers, my European bro!

 

[Hotora86]

hickson gracie is a black belt i believe.
edit: to think of it kron is also a black belt and probably at least half of that family...

Yup, added.
I already have Kron.

 

[sublimeonskunk]

Absolutely my favorite pure martial art. So fun. So much technique to throw a fool on their head.

 

[BrazilianDude]

Add Leonardo Leite, former member of the brazilian judo team

 

[Hotora86]

Add Leonardo Leite, former member of the brazilian judo team

Great addition!



Wonder what dan rank he holds? Didn't find anything on Google.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

Add Leonardo Leite, former member of the brazilian judo team

One of the greats.
I FaceTimed with him once, when Danillo Villefort was visiting my gym. They're best friends. And I told Danillo that I was Leo's biggest fan.
Dude was on the Brazilian National Judo team, won Worlds in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and then had a very respectable MMA career, despite how late he started. (Also dated peak Kyra Gracie)
He's also handsome and super, super nice. Awesome guy.

 

[Regal Boy]

Without the Gi judo becomes less effective.

I believe that in MMA and in the UFC fighters should have to wear clothes corresponding to where they are fighting. So if the arena and the event is taking place in Russia in the winter, then they have to wear Gis because everyone wears coats/jackets in such an environment. If it's in Brazil, then they fight without shirts on/with T-shirts on because people dont wear jackets there, etc.

 

[JustOnce]

Look, I am not questioning Fedor's amazing Judo skills. They are obvious. Not questioning Ronda or her mom's legitimacy either. I just don't feel comfortable updating this simply based on (with all due respect) some Sherdogger's post.

Maybe it's my professional deviation - I've worked in audit and financial markets all my life - a lack of sources in these areas of business simply does not fly.

well can't help fix stupid.

 

[JustOnce]

Also, not many people know this but, when Yoshida retired, for his ceremony Fedor attended. And Yoshida was asking Fedor, well was quoted asking for an exhibition judo match. But Fedor declined saying he's not a Judo fighter, but Sambo fighter.

For me, Fedor is a step below guys like Akiyama, Yoshida, Takimoto, but he might be the guy who was most effective with his Judo. That's what I thought, and Firas Zahabi agrees. So maybe.

 

[Lawrence]

I've grown to love Dad Bod Kelly !

He has some quality UFC wins and entered the Org at a very advanced age.

He is by far my favorite Judoka

Toughness, cool under fire, Old Man Strength, crafty AF

 

[Hotora86]

Also, not many people know this but, when Yoshida retired, for his ceremony Fedor attended. And Yoshida was asking Fedor, well was quoted asking for an exhibition judo match. But Fedor declined saying he's not a Judo fighter, but Sambo fighter.

For me, Fedor is a step below guys like Akiyama, Yoshida, Takimoto, but he might be the guy who was most effective with his Judo. That's what I thought, and Firas Zahabi agrees. So maybe.

Here's Fedor doing a Judo exhibition:

I saw a video of that as well but can't find it now, it went private on YT.

 

[Hotora86]

too late brother!

 

[Emanuele]

Nastula is a 6th dan; there is a YT video with him wearing a white and red belt.

 

[Hotora86]

Nastula is a 6th dan; there is a YT video with him wearing a White and red belt.

Thanks, fixed. Makes sense, he's been around in Judo for years.

 

[Emanuele]

Thanks, fixed. Makes sense, he's been around in Judo for years.

You're welcome. Behold the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhhicTiBwww

 

[Anewt]

Unsure if jimmy crude has a ranking but he did an awful awful lot of trip take downs his last fight.

( student of Dan Kelly)