Roberto “Gordo” Correa

Roberto “Gordo” Correa became known for turning the half guard, until then seen as a defensive position, into an attacking weapon. That game carried him to the middleweight title at the first Worlds, in 1996, where he beat Jamelão 5-0 in the final.

Born in 1971 in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, he had Jean Jacques Machado as his main instructor from blue belt on and received his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. in 1993. In 1997 he returned to the Worlds final, now at medium-heavyweight, and took silver. In 2001 he was back on the podium with bronze.

At the Pans he won titles in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003. During the 2003 run he spent about five minutes caught in a Rener Gracie triangle without giving up. Years later he described it as the toughest spot he had ever been in, in competition or anywhere else.

Although he is credited with popularizing the offensive half guard, he prefers not to be called the creator of the position. He served as coordinator of the United Arab Emirates jiu-jitsu team, teaches at START BJJ in Florida and received his coral belt from Renzo Gracie on January 28, 2024.