Ronaldo Souza Biography: Ronaldo Souza dos Santos, often known as “Jacare,” is a former Brazilian professional MMA fighter, submission grappler, and 4th-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. He was also a multiple-time BJJ World champion in coloured belts before he became a two-time black belt World Champion. Read this entire biography to know everything about his dynamic MMA career.
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Ronaldo Souza Biography
Ronaldo Souza Biography: Souza was born on December 7, 1979, into a cafuzo family in Vila Velha, Brazil, and raised in Cariacica, Brazil. Souza had a difficult life, and on the day he turned 15, he saw the murder of one of his close friends. Souza’s mother transferred him to Manaus to live with his brother after this tragedy, and when he was 17, he began training in Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
He is an eight-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion, with Openweight gold medals in 2003, 2004, and 2005. His other achievements include becoming the 2005 ADCC 77-87 kg Champion and the 2005 ADCC Absolute Division runner-up, losing only to Roger Gracie, who outweighed him by nearly 25 lbs. Souza, along with Roger Gracie and Marcelo Garcia, is widely regarded as one of the best BJJ practitioners.
Ronaldo Souza Wiki
Ronaldo Souza Biography: Souza was born on December 7, 1979, into a cafuzo family in Vila Velha, Brazil, and raised in Cariacica, Brazil. According to 2024, he is 44 years old.
Name | Ronaldo Souza |
Date Of Birth | December 7, 1979 |
Birth Place | Cariacica, Brazil |
Age | 44 years old (as of 2024) |
Height | 6ft 1inch |
Weight | 84Kg |
Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
Profession | Mixed Martial Artist |
Net Worth | $5 million |
Car Collection | N/A |
Ronaldo Souza Personal Life
Souza has three children with his wife, Larissa Carvalho.
Also Read: Carlos Condit Biography, Wiki, Age, Height Net Worth, Last Fight, Retirement Date, Career
What is Ronaldo Souza’s Net Worth?
According to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Ronaldo Souza’s net worth is $5 million.
Ronaldo Souza Career
Souza made his mixed martial arts debut on September 9, 2003, at Jungle Fight’s inaugural event, where KO defeated him at 3:13 of the first round by Jorge “Macaco” Patino. He returned to mixed martial arts eight months later at Jungle Fight 2, defeating Victor Babkir via submission in less than a minute of the opening round. His next fight was in April 2006 at Jungle Fight 6, where he defeated Alexander Shlemenko by arm triangle choke submission for his second victory. Before the end of 2006, he fought twice and won both contests by submission in the first round.
In a grappling fight 2006, Souza and UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture fought to a draw. Following the bout, Couture invited Souza to train at his training center. Souza accepted and began training at Las Vegas’s Xtreme Couture. Souza’s first fight of 2007 was held on May 19 at Gracie Fighting Championships: Evolution, where he defeated veteran Bill Vucick due to strikes. On September 29 and October 13, he fought twice within two weeks, securing two submission victories in the first round.
Souza made his Strikeforce debut on December 19, 2009, at Strikeforce: Evolution, defeating Matt Lindland via arm-triangle choke in the first round. In this fight, Souza’s stand-up and striking skills significantly improved. Souza fought Joey Villaseor at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery on May 15, 2010. He won unanimously after dominating the first round, being extremely aggressive, achieving the mount position, and coming close to defeating his opponent. However, he slowed down in the second and third rounds.
Ronaldo Souza UFC Career
In January 2013, Souza signed a five-fight contract with the UFC. Souza was expected to make his promotional debut on May 18, 2013, at UFC on FX 8 against Costas Philippou. Early in May, Philippou withdrew from the match due to an injury above his eye and was replaced by Chris Camozzi. In the first round, Souza’s arm triangle choked Camozzi unconscious. On September 4, 2013, Souza defeated Yushin Okami via first-round knockout at UFC Fight Night 28.
Souza fought Vitor Belfort at UFC 198 on May 14, 2016. He was awarded a Performance of the Night prize after winning the fight via first-round TKO. Souza was expected to face Luke Rockhold in a rematch at UFC Fight Night 101 on November 27, 2016. However, the bout was canceled on November 1, 2016, after Rockhold became ineligible due to an unspecified injury. Therefore, Souza was also removed from the card. On August 10, 2021, Souza hinted at a return to BJJ when he announced his retirement from mixed martial arts.
Ronaldo Souza’s Boxing Career
On April 1, 2023, Souza made his boxing debut against fellow MMA veteran Vitor Belfort at Gamebred Boxing 4. He was defeated unanimously by scores of 58-54, 58-54, and 57-55.
Ronaldo Souza Social Media
- Instagram: @ronaldojacare