Adilson Jorge de Lima

Main Achievements

• 1st Place — CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (1993 Master / 1999 & 2001 Senior 1*)
• 1st Place — IBJJF International Masters & Seniors (2001* / 2004* / 2006 / 2008 / 2009 / 2012*)
• 1st Place — IBJJF European Open Championship (2015 Master 5*)
• 3rd Place — UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro (2014)
• Note: (* Denotes winning both the Weight and Absolute divisions)

Overview

Adilson “Bitta” Lima is a historic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a pioneering figure in both sport grappling and early mixed martial arts (Vale Tudo). Growing up in the mountain town of Teresópolis, Adilson began his Jiu-Jitsu journey at age 18 under the legendary Geny Rebello—a martial arts pioneer who guided him all the way from white to brown belt.

Biography

As a brown belt, Adilson split his training across several prominent academies in Rio de Janeiro. Because of his diverse training circles, his black belt was awarded in 1988 as a combined, collaborative effort between Carlos Rollyson and Carlos Gracie Junior.

In 1991, Bitta founded the Clube de Jiu Jitsu Pitbull in Teresópolis. His academy quickly grew into a revered talent incubator, forged on the back of Bitta’s reputation as one of the toughest, most relentless guard passers in the sport’s history.

During the mid-1990s, Bitta stepped into the world of bare-knuckle cage fighting (Vale Tudo). He displayed elite potential right away, racking up 5 dominant wins. His only two losses inside the cage famously occurred on the exact same night against the legendary, considerably heavier Ukrainian heavyweight Igor Vovchanchyn. Tragically, his booming MMA career was cut short by a severe motorcycle accident that nearly severed one of his feet. Though his foot was successfully reattached, he could no longer fight in a cage and instead returned to his roots, continuing to compete on the Jiu-Jitsu mats with the assistance of a foot support.

In 2012, Bitta and his wife Úrsula (who is also a BJJ black belt) relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after being invited by UAEJJ officials to heavily spearhead and develop the nation’s rapidly growing Jiu-Jitsu program.

Origin of the Nickname

Adilson earned the moniker “Bitta” as a toddler. His family owned goats, which are called cabra or cabrita in Portuguese. As an infant, he couldn’t pronounce the word correctly and shortened it to “bita.” His brothers found it hilarious, the name stuck, and it became how he is recognized worldwide.

Elite Black Belts Produced

Through his Clube de Jiu Jitsu Pitbull banner, Bitta has produced several highly influential grappling and MMA standouts:

• Vitor Henrique Oliveira
• Delson Heleno (“Pé de Chumbo”)
• Dyego Turl
• Rodrigo “Ximbica”