Marina Ribeiro

Marina Ribeiro won the featherweight world title in 2013, a year after losing the final to Michelle Nicolini on advantages. Competing for CheckMat, she opened with a bye in Long Beach, beat Mackenzie Dern on points in the semifinal and defeated Luiza Monteiro in the final.

Born in Rio de Janeiro on June 21, 1985, she swam and played volleyball and basketball before discovering jiu-jitsu in 2004 at a gym where she lifted weights. Her first class was with Ricardo Vieira, who became her coach, and her black belt came in December 2008. She also trained in João Pessoa with Helder Medeiros and competed in judo and wrestling. Half spider guard is her favorite position.

Before her world title she won the 2011 Europeans, beating Leticia Ribeiro and Kyra Gracie in the final, and the Brazilian Nationals that same year. At the 2012 Worlds she beat Kyra again, 2-0, on the way to the final.

She moved to the United Arab Emirates, where she worked in the school jiu-jitsu program from 2013 to 2022 and became the national team coach.