Lineage
Lineage
About
| Full Name | Antonio Ricardo Bittencourt Cavalcanti |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 1964 |
| Rank & Title | 7th Degree Coral Belt (Red / Black) |
| Weight Division | Peso Médio (Middleweight – 82 kg / 181 lbs) |
| Team Affiliation | Team Cavalcanti / Carlson Gracie Academy / Renzo Gracie Association |
Main Achievements
- 1st Place — IBJJF Pan American Championship (1998 Absolute – Master)
- 1st Place — IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2010 – Senior 3)
- 1st Place — California Games Champion (2002)
- 3rd Place — IBJJF Pan American Championship (2010 – Senior 3)
Overview & Early Training
Ricardo Cavalcanti is a highly respected practitioner and master in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He discovered his passion for martial arts at the young age of seven after witnessing a friend successfully use Jiu-Jitsu in a street fight.
He began his formal training under the legendary Grand Master Alvaro Barreto, a historical pillar of the sport. In 1978, he transitioned to the academy of another iconic figure, Carlson Gracie, where he remained a loyal student until his master’s passing in 2006. He earned his black belt in 1995 under memorable circumstances—Carlson Gracie famously surprised him with the promotion right outside a steakhouse in Barra, Rio de Janeiro, following a meal.
Move to the United States & MMA Connection
In June 2001, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir traveled to Rio de Janeiro to sharpen his ground game. Because Cavalcanti had previously coached Mir’s primary instructor, the two crossed paths. After training together, Mir invited Cavalcanti to the United States to assist with his fight preparation.
Accepting the invitation, Cavalcanti relocated to the U.S., which served as the launching pad for his own coaching endeavors abroad. He established Team Cavalcanti, a highly successful academy that initially operated under the Carlson Gracie Academy umbrella before later associating with Renzo Gracie.
Belt Rank & Legacy
As a high-ranking instructor, Cavalcanti has produced numerous black belts, including Alan de Freitas, Reynaldo Duarte, Anthony Galeano, and Robert Lagasca.
In February 2016, he was awarded his coral belt (7th degree) by Reylson Gracie. While the promotion stirred some administrative controversy at the time because it wasn’t formally recognized by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), Cavalcanti remains widely celebrated simply as a classic, dedicated representative of the Carlson Gracie lineage.
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