Roberto Traven

Roberto Traven
BornRoberto Traven
(1968-09-16) September 16, 1968
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesSpider
ResidenceAtlanta, Georgia
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
StyleBrazilian jiu-jitsu
TeamRoberto Traven BJJ
Rank7th deg. BJJ coral belt
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins6
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision2
Losses4
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision1
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Grappling
ADCC
Gold medal – first place 1999 Absolute
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1998 +100 kg
Gold medal – first place 1999 +100 kg
Brazilian National Championship
Gold medal – first place 1995 +100 kg
World Master Championship
Gold medal – first place 2014 Heavy (Master 4)
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Open Class (Master 4)
Gold medal – first place 2015 Heavy (Master 4)
Silver medal – second place 2015 Open Class (Master 4)
Gold medal – first place 2016 Heavy (Master 4)

Roberto "Spider" Traven (born September 16, 1968) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Coral Belt [1] practitioner. He is a former ADCC Absolute Champion, IBJJF World Champion, and UFC veteran. Traven is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the global BJJ community, known for both his competitive achievements and his coaching legacy.

Early life and Brazilian jiu-jitsu career

Traven was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16 under Romero "Jacaré" Cavalcanti,[2] founder of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu. He earned his black belt in just four years, training alongside future legends such as Fábio Gurgel,[3] Léo Vieira,[4] and Eduardo "Jamelão" da Conceição.[5] His natural talent and dedication led him to train three times a day, enabling him to quickly rise through the ranks.  He was promoted to Corel Belt (7th degree black)[1] on July 10, 2021.  There are only approximately 50 to 60 living BJJ coral belts worldwide.

Competitive achievements

[6]

  • First Place - Brazilian National Championship - 1995
  • First Place - Brazilian Team Championship - 1995
  • First Place - Brazilian Team Championship – 1996
  • First Place - AFC Russia Ultimate Fighting – 1997
  • First Place - World Jiu-Jitsu Championship – 1998
  • First Place - open class in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship (grappling) – 1999
  • First Place - Brazilian Team Championship – 1999
  • First Place - World Jiu-Jitsu Championship – 1999
  • First Place - Rings Japan – 2000
  • Second Place - Super fight in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship (grappling) – 2000
  • Second Place - Masters World Championship– 2002
  • First Place - Master's World Cup super heavy-weight – 2002
  • First Place - Master's World Cup open class – 2002
  • First Place - Master's World Cup heavyweight – 2003
  • First Place - Pan Ams open and super heavy weight division (class Senior I) - 2006
  • First Place - Pan American Senior II Heavy Weight division - 2010
  • Third Place - ADCC Trials New Jersey Adult division - 2011
  • First Place - World Master Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship Heavy Weight Division (class Master IV) - 2014
  • First Place - Pan Ams open and super heavy weight division (class Master IV) - 2015
  • First Place - World Master Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship Heavy Weight Division (class Master IV) - 2016
  • First Place - IBJJF World No-Gi Championship - 2024


Mixed martial arts career

Traven made his MMA debut at UFC 11[7] in 1996, defeating Dave Berry by TKO. He later faced Frank Mir at UFC 34,[7] losing via armbar in the first round. His professional MMA record stands at 6 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with victories in promotions such as UFC, Rings, and IAFC.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
11 matches 6 wins 4 losses
By knockout 2 2
By submission 2 1
By decision 2 1
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 6–4–1 John Salter KO (punches) Adrenaline MMA 3 June 13, 2009 1 2:15 Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Draw 6–3–1 Yukiya Naito Draw Warriors Realm 3 March 15, 2005 3 5:00 Brisbane, Australia
Loss 6–3 Elvis Sinosic KO (punch) Warriors Realm 1 September 3, 2004 2 0:35 Queensland, Australia
Loss 6–2 Frank Mir Submission (armbar) UFC 34 November 2, 2001 1 1:05 Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 6–1 Dave Menne Decision (unanimous) Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A October 9, 2000 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–0 Mikhail Borissov Decision (unanimous) Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block A October 9, 2000 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5–0 Gueorguiev Tzvetkov Decision (majority) Rings: Millennium Combine 2 June 15, 2000 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–0 Maxim Tarasov Submission (rear-naked choke) Absolute Fighting Championship 2 April 30, 1997 1 2:47 Moscow, Russia Won IAFC 2 Day 1 Tournament
Win 3–0 Leonid Efremov TKO (submission to punches) Absolute Fighting Championship 2 April 30, 1997 1 2:54 Moscow, Russia
Win 2–0 Artyom Vilgulevsky Submission (rear-naked choke) Absolute Fighting Championship 2 April 30, 1997 1 2:28 Moscow, Russia
Win 1–0 Dave Berry TKO (submission to strikes) UFC 11 September 20, 1996 1 1:23 Augusta, Georgia, United States

Grappling record

Result Opponent Method Event Gi/No-Gi Date Notes
Loss Jefferson Moura Submission (Triangle) World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - -94 kg Division semi finals Gi 2003 [8]
Win Charles Faria Points World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - -94 kg Division first round Gi 2003 [8]
Loss Tom Erickson N/A ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg first round No-Gi 2001 [9]
Loss Mario Cruz Points ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division first round No-Gi 2001 [9]
Loss Mario Sperry Points ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Super Fight No-Gi 2000 Silver in ADCC Super Fight[10]
Win Hayato Sakurai Points (2x0) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division finals No-Gi 1999 Wins Gold in Absolute[11]
Win Garth Taylor Points (5x0) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division semi finals No-Gi 1999 [11]
Win Luis Roberto Points (6x0) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division quarter finals No-Gi 1999 [11]
Win Fabiano Capoane Points (2x0) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division first round No-Gi 1999 [11]
Loss Jeff Monson Points (0x3) ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg Division semi finals No-Gi 1999 [11]
Win Jurie Rachel Submission ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg Division first round No-Gi 1999 [11]
Win Andre Marques N/A World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division semi finals/ finals Gi 1999 Wins Second Gold[8]
Win Minotauro Nogueira Points World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division quarter finals Gi 1999 [8]
Win John Machado Points (10x0) World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division finals Gi 1998 Wins First Gold[8]
Win Otavio Duarte Penalty World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division semi finals Gi 1998 [8]
Win Roberto Godoi N/A World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundials) - +100 kg Division quarter finals Gi 1998 [8]

Notable Black Belts Associated with Roberto Traven

  • Muzio de Angelis[12] – One of Traven’s earliest students and later his business partner in Brazil.
  • Jared Dopp[13] – High-level competitor and ADCC veteran, known to have trained under Traven at various points.
  • Raphael Assunção[14] – UFC veteran and BJJ black belt under Traven.
  • Jeff Joslin[15] – Canadian BJJ black belt and MMA fighter, trained under Traven.
  • Carlos David Oliveira[16] - 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, under Roberto Traven.
  • Anna Salome - Roberto Traven's first female black belt, promoted on September 9, 2017

Many of Traven’s black belts are instructors at Team Octopus locations or affiliated academies across the U.S., especially in the Southeast.

Affiliate Academies

Team Octopus Locations (Metro Atlanta, GA)

  • Midtown Atlanta (HQ) - mmaatl.com[17]
  • Chamblee
  • Sandy Springs
  • Cartersville

Certified Affiliates

  • Team Mongoose BJJ – mongoosejiujitsu.com[18]
  • Top Martial Arts - tmacharlotte.com[19]
  • Ironborn Jiu Jitsu - ironbornjiujitsu.com[20]
  • Ohana Jiu-Jitsu - ohanajiu-jitsu.com[21]
  • Fitness Edge MMA / Roberto Traven BJJ - fitnessedgemma.com[22]
  • Sticks & Stones Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - sticksandstonesbjj.com[23]
  • BCKICKBOXINGBJJ - bckickboxingbjj.com[24]
  • Independent MMA and Fitness - independentmmafitness-mcdonough.com[25]
  • Allegiance Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy - inmanhealth.com[26]
  • Rolling Panda BJJ - rollingpandabjj.com[27]
  • All Ambition BJJ – allambitionbjj.com[28]
  • Rock Hill Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - rockhillbjj.com[29]
  • Warrior Defense BJJ - warriordefense.com[30]
  • Anchor Jiu Jitsu and Fitness - anchorjiujitsu.com[31]
  • Primitive Jiu-Jitsu Academy
  • Mint Hill Jiu-Jitsu - minthillbjj.com[32]
  • Linic BJJ - greenvillebjj.com[33]
  • Roots BJJ - roots-brazilian-jiu-jitsu.gymdesk.com[34]

References

  1. ^ a b "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coral Belt". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  2. ^ "Romero Jacare Cavalcanti | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  3. ^ Bradshaw, Bobby (2025-06-23). "Fabio Gurgel: The General of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu | Jiu Jitsu Legacy". jiujitsulegacy.com. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  4. ^ jiujitsucentral (2024-02-25). "Leo Vieira: Legendary Jiu-Jitsu Competitor and Coach's Impact on the Martial Arts World". Jiujitsu Central. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  5. ^ "Eduardo 'Jamelão' Conceição | BJJ Heroes". 2011-04-24. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  6. ^ "International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation". International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
  7. ^ a b "Roberto Traven | UFC". www.ufc.com. Archived from the original on 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g BJJ Heroes (11 May 2011). "Roberto Traven". BJJ Heroes.
  9. ^ a b "ADCC 2001 – Results". ADCC NEWS.
  10. ^ "ADCC 2000 – Results". ADCC NEWS.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "ADCC 1999 – Results". ADCC NEWS.
  12. ^ says, Emerson (2010-10-06). "Muzio de Angelis | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  13. ^ "Jared Dopp | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  14. ^ "Raphael Assunção | UFC". www.ufc.com. Archived from the original on 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  15. ^ "Jeff Joslin | BJJ Heroes". 2010-04-02. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  16. ^ "Instructors". Evolution Jiu Jitsu. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  17. ^ "Team Octopus | Fitness for All Ages & Levels". mmaatl.com. 2024-02-04. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  18. ^ "Team Mongoose BJJ". Team Mongoose BJJ. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  19. ^ "TMA Charlotte". www.tmacharlotte.com. Archived from the original on 2024-07-22. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  20. ^ "Ironborn Jiu-Jitsu | BJJ in North Atlanta, Dacula, GA | All Ages". Ironborn Jiu-Jitsu. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  21. ^ Jiu-Jitsu, Ohana. "Ohana Jiu-Jitsu - Jiu-Jitsu, Martial Arts". Ohana Jiu-Jitsu. Archived from the original on 2021-03-02. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  22. ^ "Fitness Edge MMA | Home of Grand Strand BJJ". www.fitnessedgemma.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  23. ^ "Home | Sticks & Stones Brazilian Jiu-jitsu". sticksandstonesbjj. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  24. ^ "Kickboxing | Waxhaw | BC Kickboxing & BJJ". bckickboxingbjj. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  25. ^ "Home". Independent MMA & Fitness of McDonough. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  26. ^ "INMAN HEALTH & FITNESS". INMAN HEALTH & FITNESS. Archived from the original on 2025-06-19. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  27. ^ "Rolling Panda BJJ". Rolling Panda BJJ. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  28. ^ "AllAmbition BJJ | Cartersville Brazil Jiu Jitsu Training". Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  29. ^ "BJJ Jiu-Jitsu in the Rock Hill, South Carolina area". Rock Hill BJJ. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  30. ^ "Home". Warrior Defense Family Jiu Jitsu. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  31. ^ "Landing". Anchor Jiu-Jistu and Fitness. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  32. ^ "BJJ Jiu-Jitsu in the Mint Hill & Matthews area". Mint Hill BJJ. Archived from the original on 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  33. ^ "LINIC BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU". Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  34. ^ "Roots Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". Roots Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  1. International Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. World Championship Archived 2009-03-03 at the Wayback Machine, Results Archived 2009-09-18 at the Wayback Machine. ibjjf.com. URL last accessed April 21, 2007.
  2. Ultimate Fighting Championship. UFC Home Page, Past UFC Events. URL last accessed April 21, 2007.
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