See Your favorite grapplers as if they were sculpted by Michelangelo himself, were Pharaohs in Egypt, and even chose to be cyborgs in the year 2,500 A.D.

Location: Lake Nona, FL.

Estimated reading time: 33 minutes

Photo by: Rolling Times

We asked AI what some of your favorite grappling athletes would like if they were sculpted by Michelangelo himself, were Pharaohs in Egypt, and even chose to be cyborgs in the year 2,500 A.D., and this is what it came up with!…

These grapplers, famous for their ADCC and IBJJF world titles, training routines, and winning mindsets, are transformed with a bit of help from AI.

Every image was entirely created by a computer to bridge the divide between Michelangelo’s sculpting skills, the sands of time, future technology, and these grapplers’ technical prowess on the mats.

Featured in this release, you have the following grappling powerhouses:

Gordon Ryan
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida
Roger Gracie
Mikey Musumeci
André Galvão
Mackenzie Dern
Marcelo Garcia
Demian Maia
Renzo Gracie
Gezary Matuda
Master Ken

…. That last one was a surprise, LOL!!

Comment below with your favorite collection or if you learned something from the brief Bios we’ve included for your reading delight.

Gordon Ryan:

Gordon Ryan, hailing from New Jersey (USA), is an esteemed grappler and part of the renowned Danaher Death Squad (DDS). He has established himself in jiu-jitsu’s no-gi and submission-only circuit by defeating highly acclaimed competitors like Alexandre Ribeiro, Romulo Barral, and Gabriel Arges.

As one of the most celebrated jiu-jitsu figures in his generation and an acclaimed submission specialist, Gordon made a name for himself as one of the premier brown belts on earth when he won both the Newaza Challenge and No-Gi World Championship in 2015. This remarkable feat led to him receiving his black belt from Garry Tonon – making him Tonon’s very first student to earn such a distinction, alongside another mentor John Danaher. Gordon’s success in the no-gi grappling world is undeniable; from winning two consecutive ADCC World Championships to his numerous other accomplishments (outlined below). His rise as one of the greatest grapplers ever has been remarkable.

Weight Division: Super-Heavy (100,50 kg / 222.0 lbs)

Team/Association: New Wave

Favorite Position/Technique: Triangle/Heel-hook

Main Achievements:

ADCC Absolute Title Superfight Winner (2022)
WNO Heavyweight Champion (2022)
1st Place ADCC World Championship (2017 / 2019** / 2022)
1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2018**)
1st Place IBJJF Pans No-Gi Championship (2018**)
1st Place Quintet 3 (2018*)
1st Place EBI 6 (2016*)
1st Place EBI 8 (2016)
1st Place EBI 11 (2017)
1st Place EBI 14 (2017*)
1st Place Kinektic 1 (2019)
1st Place Grappling Industries (2017*/2016*)
2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2017*)

Lineage 1: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Renzo Gracie > Ricardo Almeida > Tom deBlass > Garry Tonon > Gordon Ryan

Lineage 2: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Renzo Gracie > John Danaher > Gordon Ryan

Instagram HERE

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida:

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, the renowned Brazilian heavyweight star in martial arts, never imagined he would go on to become a legend.

Growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Almeida was a beach boy who dreamed of becoming a professional surfer. Though that wasn’t meant to be; it all changed when his father and sister introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu during his teenage years. His genuine enthusiasm for the sport soon followed as he found extraordinary success by channeling his passion into perfecting its unique techniques.

The moment “Buchecha” stepped onto the mats, he was smitten with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and devoted himself to mastering it. After claiming his first IBJJF World Title in no-gi competition in 2010, he went on to receive a black belt while standing atop the podium – an impressive feat! Buchecha’s career has since been filled with accolades; 17 BJJ world championships overall, including 6 remarkable openweight titles that remain unrivaled today.

Having accomplished everything possible in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Almeida decided to make the switch into Mixed Martial Arts and joined ONE Championship in July 2020. From there on out, he truly made his mark with his signature grappling techniques and powerful submissions that allowed him to finish off all opponents within the first round. His influence has been nothing short of remarkable since then!

By exuding the essence of martial arts, “Buchecha” strives to be an unparalleled combat sports athlete on a daily basis. His dedication and unremitting work ethic have yielded stellar results, thus earning him his spot as the most feared heavyweight fighter in the world!

Weight Division: Pesadíssimo (over 100,50 kg / 222.0 lbs)

Team/Association: American Top Team / Evolve MMA

Favorite Position/Technique: Double Leg, Toe Hold, Choke from the back

Main Achievements

Multiple ONE Championship submission wins and TKO’s
1st Place ADCC World Championship (2013 / 2017)
1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2012** / 2013** / 2014** / 2016** / 2017** / 2018 / 2019**)
1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2010** / 2011**)
1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2012**)
1st Place IBJJF Pro League Grand Prix (2016)
1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2012* / 2013* / 2014** / 2015**)
2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2019*)
3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2011*)
3rd Place ADCC World Championship (2017*)

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Élcio Figueiredo > Rodrigo Cavaca > Marcus Almeida

Instagram HERE

Roger Gracie:

With ten International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Championship titles as a black belt – four in the colored belts division, Roger Gracie is regarded as one of the sport’s Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). He is renowned for his commitment to submission, becoming known worldwide as one of the most accurate specialists in grappling. This solidified him reputation as an MMA and professional jiu-jitsu athlete before he eventually retired from competitive fighting altogether.

Weight Division: Super-Pesado (100,50 kg / 222.0 lbs)

Team/Affiliation: Gracie-Barra/Roger Gracie Academy

Favorite Technique:Cross Choke from the mount position

Main Achievements:

1st Place ADCC Championship (2005***)
1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2004/2005/2006/2007 **/2008/2009**/2010**)
1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2006*)
1st Place IBJJF European Open (2005**)
2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2003*/2004*/2005*/2006*/2008*)
2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2006)

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Roger Gracie

Instagram HERE

Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci:

Mikey Musumeci is widely regarded as the greatest American-born Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner of all time. Born in 1996 to an Italian-American family, he began his BJJ journey at 4 and never looked back. For countless hours before and after school, Mikey and his sister Tammi trained relentlessly perfecting their martial arts skills – which would eventually earn them multiple world titles later on in life!

Musumeci has always been a standout among his peers. Having won multiple IBJJF World Championships during his juvenile and colored belt ranks, he was granted the prestigious black belt honor when he turned 18 years old.

His impressive journey began when he achieved success early on in his career, securing the first of five IBJJF Black Belt World Titles in 2016. Three years later, Musumeci made history with a record-breaking submission at an IBJJF Championship match that lasted only twelve seconds; proof that this no longer just a young athlete but rather a seasoned and elite competitor who was ready to take on the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Musumeci launched his career in ONE Championship in 2022 by successfully submitting Masakazu Imanari, a renowned Japanese MMA and grappling icon, with a rear-naked choke. This extraordinary performance earned him an impressive $50,000 bonus!

The Italian-American, “Darth Rigatoni,” might not appear to be your average BJJ World Champion. He loves pasta and pizza, is a smiling glasses-wearing nerd off the mats, but on them his technique may be unrivaled by any other grappler in existence. His name has become legendary for being able to execute with pinpoint accuracy even under immense pressure – Darth Rigatoni could very well turn out to be the most technically sound warrior of all time!

Musumeci’s guard is especially formidable; he combines a unique blend of sophisticated maneuvers like the berimbolo back-take to keep his opponents constantly on edge. He has also been credited with inventing several impressive jiu-jitsu techniques, including the infamous “Mikey lock” leg lock!

Weight Division: Peso Pluma (64,00 kg / 141.5 lbs)

Team/Association: ONE / Evolve

Favorite Position/Technique: Berimbolo

Main Achievements:

1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2021)
1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2016)
1st Place IBJJF European Open (2017 / 2020)
1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2015 / 2016)
1st Place IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2016)
1st Place AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro (2017)
1st Place AJP Grand Slam, LA (2016)

Lineage 1: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Andre Pederneiras > Rafael Fofitio > Gilbert Burns > Michael Musumeci

Lineage 2: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlson Gracie >Andre Pederneiras > Joao Roque > Jonatas Gurgel > Michael Musumeci

Instagram HERE

André Galvão:

André Galvão, better known as “Deco,” is a renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt trained under Luis “Careca” Dagmar and Fernando Terere. His credentials speak for themselves: 8x IBJJF Pan American Champion, 2x ADCC champion, and an impressive record of IBJJF World Championships make him one of the greatest competitors to ever compete in the sport! Having retired from MMA with a remarkable 5-2-0 record, André Galvão dedicated his energy to founding the Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy in San Diego, CA. Under his leadership this team has become one of the most powerful Brazilian jiu jitsu teams in recent history.

Weight Division: Meio Pesado (88,30 kg / 195.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Atos Academy

Favorite Technique: Guard Passing

Main Achievements:

ADCC Superfight Winner (2013 / 2015 / 2017)
1st Place ADCC World Championship (2011**)
1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2005 / 2008 / 2014*** / 2016 / 2017)
1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2005 / 2008** / 2006 / 2011 / 2013 / 2014** / 2016)
1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2012 / 2013 / 2014)
1st Place CBJJO World Cup (2006)
1st Place IBJJF European Open (2015**)
1st Place CBJJE World Championship (2008)
1st Place Ultimate Absolute NYC (2011)
2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2009)
2nd Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2012* / 2016)
3rd Place IBJJF Pan American Championship (2016*)
3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2008* / 2013)
3rd Place ADCC World Championship (2007**)

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Reyson Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > Luis Dagmar > André Galvão

Instagram HERE

Mackenzie Dern:

Renowned Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt and MMA competitor Mackenzie Dern is renowned as one of the premier female grapplers today. Hailing from a family of respected martial artists, she’s the daughter to world-renowned Wellington “Megaton” Dias and stepdaughter to “Luka” Dias– both esteemed members in their own right with remarkable accomplishments. At the tender age of fourteen, Mackenzie Dern dove into BJJ’s adult division and made a splash. She earned multiple prestigious trophies during her teenage years as she continued to hone her grappling skills with guidance from notable mentors such as Royler Gracie and Letícia Ribeiro, before transitioning to cage fighting.

Weight Division: Peso Pena (58,50 kg / 129.0 lbs)

Team/Association: Gracie Humaitá

Favourite Position/Technique: Open Guard

Main Achievements:

1st Place IBJJF World Championships (2015)
1st Place IBJJF World Championships NO-GI (2015*)
1st Place IBJJF Pan American Championships (2016/2015)
1st Place FIVE Super League Championships (2015)
1st Place IBJJF European Open (2016/2015)
1st Place AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro (2015**)

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie >Royler Gracie > Wellington Dias > Mackenzie Dern

Instagram HERE

Marcelo Garcia:

Revered as one of the greatest grapplers alive, Marcelo Garcia – better known as ‘Marcelinho’ – is a black belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner under Master Fabio Gurgel. His skill and affable nature have seen him win five world jiu-jitsu tournaments and four times in the ADCC – two of BJJ’s most esteemed events – making him an icon to many within this vibrant community. Such accomplishments were even recognized by the top grappling publications who featured Marcelinho on their list of top 10 Best Grapplers of All Time.

Weight Division: Peso Médio/Middleweight (82Kg-181lbs).

Team/Affiliation: Team Alliance

Favorite Position/Technique:Arm-drag, X-Guard, Butterfly Guard, Guillotine, and Mata Leao.

Main Achievements:

1st Place IBJJF World Champion (2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011)
1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2007)
1st Place ADCC (2003, 2005, 2007, 2011)
1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2004, 2006**)

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Fabio Gurgel > Marcelo Garcia.

Instagram HERE

Demian Maia:

Demian Maia, a skilled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and professional mixed martial arts fighter, has achieved remarkable success in both sports. In grappling competitions he earned prestigious titles including World Cup (2002, 2003) and ADCC (2007). Moreover, his MMA career included title attempts at UFC’s middleweight division in April 2010 as well as welterweight division in July 2017. Demian’s fame is amplified by his five-win streak in UFC submissions. In the early 2000s, Maia was a key part of Alliance Academy’s feud that led to its dissolution and gave birth to three new academies: Brasa, TT, and Master.

Weight Division:

BJJ – Médio (Middleweight) 82Kg-181Lbs
MMA – Middleweight & welterweight

Team/Association: Brasa Clube de Jiu Jitsu

Favorite Technique/Position: Triangle Choke

Main Achievements:

ADCC Champion (2007)
CBJJ Brazilian Team National Champion (2003)
IBJJF World Champion (2000 purple belt)
ADCC 2nd Place (2005)
CBJJO World Cup Champion (2002/2003*/2005)

Lineage: M. Maeda > C. Gracie > H. Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Fabio Gurgel > Demian Mai

Instagram HERE

Renzo Gracie:

Renzo Gracie is one of the most legendary martial artists and Jiu Jitsu black belts from the illustrious Gracie family. As a masterful coach, Renzo has developed numerous renowned practitioners in various combat sports. Moreover, he was also successful as a competitor during the 1990s winning prestigious tournaments such as Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) and multiple Mixed Martial Arts fights in Japan, Brazil and America. His remarkable career inspired the making of Legacy–a documentary which recounts his journey as an athlete.

Weight Division: Peso Medio (82kg/181lbs)

Team/Affiliation: Renzo Gracie BJJ

Favorite Technique: Guillotine

Main Achievements:

ADCC champion (1998 and 2000)
Copa Atlantico Sul Champion (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994)

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Renzo Gracie

Instagram HERE

Gezary Matuda:

Gezary Matuda is a celebrated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, trained under the renowned Ricardo Libório. As one of the top competitors of her generation, she has earned an impressive reputation for exhibiting what many have described as “the most thrilling style in BJJ.” Along with this recognition comes numerous awards from tournaments such as IBJJF World and Pans Championships at the black belt level.

Weight Division: Peso Pluma (53,50 kg / 118.0 lbs)

Team/Association: American Top Team

Favorite Position/Technique: Armbar

Main Achievements:

IBJJF World Champion (2016/2014/2013)
IBJJF Pan American Champion (2018/2016/2015)
IBJJF European Open Champion (2017)

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Ricardo Libório > Gezary Matuda

Instagram HERE

Master Ken:

Matt Page, the ingenious creator of “Enter The Dojo” and renowned 11th Degree Grandmaster Blackbelt in Ameri-Do-Te, was born in Turner, Maine. His videos have already received a staggering 70 million views on YouTube! He has also put together a must-see performance titled Master Ken LIVE!, which he has showcased all around the world – from Canada to Scotland to Germany to Australia. With his impressive repertoire of projects under his belt, Matt Page is sure to continue captivating audiences everywhere with his creative works. He has been featured in critically-acclaimed films such as “Sicario”, “Shotcaller”, and “Maze Runner 2: Scorch Trials”. His work on television series include the Netflix dramas, Messiah and Chambers, NBC’s Night Shift, plus AMC’s Breaking Bad and The Paper Tigers. He also starred in the comedy film Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Weight Division: Meio Pesado (88,30 kg / 195.0 lbs)

Team/Association:Himself

Favorite Position/Technique: Re-stomp the groin

Main Achievements: