Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu High Point

​ROBSON MOURA

Robson Moura, also known as “Robinho”, is one of the greatest competitors in jiu jitsu’s super featherweight division, a weight class he dominated for years achieving 6 world titles in his career. After retiring (unofficially) from his competitive career, Robson Moura dedicated his full attention to his coaching activities in the United States where he developed his own association RMNU (Robson Moura – Nations United) one of the most respected grappling affiliations in the US.

Robson Moura was born on the 23rdof March 1978 in Brazil. He started training Jiu-Jitsu very early in life, when he was just 10 years old with his father’s backing. His very first instructor was Ailson “Jucao” Brites in his hometown of Teresópolis, which is located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. Robson wanted to follow the footsteps of his BJJ idols, so he started training 2 and 3 times per day and competed for the first time in a local competition when he was only 13 years of age.

Unforeseen circumstances had “Jucao” moving away from Teresópolis, leaving “Robinho” without a coach. This however did not detour Moura from his path to becoming a Jiu-Jitsu black belt. With the BJJ bug already fully installed in him he sought out the best lightweight team in the World at the time, the famous Nova Uniao led by André Pederneiras and Wendell Alexander. This new partnership proved to be very fruitful as Robson kept on winning tournaments left and right, culminating this great period with a fantastic win at the World Championships in 1996 as a purple belt.

Going against the minimum time frame guidelines approved by the Jiu-Jitsu Federation, his coaches decided to promote Robson Moura to black belt, at 18 years of age, the following year to compete at the highest level possible, the Mundials (World Championships). Robinho did not disappoint winning the tournament in amazing fashion.

During the following years, this Nova Uniao prodigy had successive wins in the Mundial and lots of other important championships like the CBJJO (World Cup). Moura is known for his innovative style and ever-evolving technique in the world of jiu-jitsu. He won his division in the BJJ Mundials from 1996 through 2000. He is recognized by the IBJJF, CBJJF & CBJJO.

He stopped competing for a few years in an attempt to establish the RMNU association in the United States. Robson had already some well-established schools in Brazil, being his Ribeirao Preto academy the most famous one, but decided the USA was the future of the sport and embarked on the project of building a successful academy there.

After establishing his school, Robson decided to have another stab at the World Championship Gold Medal, it had been 5 years since his last attempt but Moura and his amazing technique came through as he won the 2007 Gold. Not only is Robinho a master competitor, but he is also a successful coach being Augusto Cruz and Ricardo Abreu his most acknowledged standouts.

In addition to his position as Head Instructor at RMNU Headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Moura directs additional academies in Brazil that are run by his black belt instructors. Moura travels frequently across the country sharing his knowledge and experience with other Jiu-Jitsu players. In 2008, he established the Robson Moura Association, with over 45 affiliates around the world. He continues to compete, recently winning his division at the Rickson Gracie Invitational, and competing at Polaris and the Abu Dhabi World Pro in 2016.

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