Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles
Rubens Charles Maciel · Londrina, Brazil
Five-time featherweight world champion. A member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame since 2014.
- world titles at black belt
- 5
- wins
- 118
- by submission, 53% of wins
- 63
- losses
- 21
Record in black belt competition.
World titles at black belt
IBJJF World Championship, 2006 to 2017. Weight class: featherweight.
- 2006 WeightGold
- 2007 WeightGold
- 2008 WeightGold
- 2009 WeightGold
- 2017 WeightGold
Who is Cobrinha
Rubens Charles Maciel, known as Cobrinha, was born in Londrina, in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná, on December 24, 1979, and moved as a child to São Carlos, in São Paulo state. His nickname, which means “little snake,” comes from capoeira, which he practiced for 14 years until he became a master. He only found Jiu-Jitsu at 21, in a trial class where a purple belt dominated him, and the next day he signed up at Mauro Pacífico’s academy. He earned his black belt under Fernando Tererê.
He won the featherweight division at the IBJJF World Championship four years in a row, from 2006 to 2009. After losing four finals, he was champion again in 2017, at age 37, in a season in which he also won the Europeans, the Pans and the Brazilian Nationals.
In no-gi he won the No-Gi Worlds four times. He has been in the IBJJF Hall of Fame since 2014.
Wins in finals and superfights
- 2017AJ AgazarmADCC, under 66 kg (146 lb), final · 3-0
- 2017Leo SaggioroWorlds, featherweight, final · 0-0, on advantages
- 2017Rafael MansurBrazilian Nationals, featherweight, final · 4-2
- 2017Osvaldo MoizinhoPans, featherweight, final · 9-2
- 2017Gianni GrippoEuropeans, featherweight, final · 5-0
- 2015Bruno FrazattoADCC, under 66 kg (146 lb), final · 3-0
- 2013Rafael MendesADCC, under 66 kg (146 lb), final · referee decision
- 2013Augusto MendesEuropeans, featherweight, final · 2-0
Most recent losses
- 2016Márcio AndréWorlds, featherweight, semifinal · 7-6
- 2015Rafael MendesWorlds, featherweight, final · 6-0
- 2014Rafael MendesWorlds, featherweight, final · 10-8
- 2013Augusto MendesWorlds, featherweight, semifinal · 2-0
- 2013Augusto MendesWorld Pro, under 70 kg (154 lb), final · 2-0
- 2013Rafael MendesPans, featherweight, final · referee decision
- 2012Rafael MendesWorlds, featherweight, final · referee decision
- 2012Rafael MendesPans, featherweight, final · armbar
Other titles
2017
- ADCC Under 66 kg (146 lb) Gold
- IBJJF Pans Gold
- IBJJF Europeans Gold
- Brazilian Nationals (CBJJ) Gold
2015
- IBJJF Worlds Featherweight Silver
- ADCC Under 66 kg (146 lb) Gold
2014
- IBJJF Worlds Featherweight Silver
2013
- ADCC Under 66 kg (146 lb) Gold
- IBJJF Europeans Gold
2012
- IBJJF Worlds Featherweight Silver
- IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Gold
2011
- IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Gold
- ADCC Under 66 kg (146 lb) Silver
2010
- IBJJF Worlds Featherweight Silver
2009
- ADCC Under 66 kg (146 lb) Silver
- IBJJF Pans Gold
2008
- IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Gold
- IBJJF Pans Gold
2007
- IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Gold
- IBJJF Pans Gold