De la Riva and the brown belt

Ricardo De la Riva & Thiago "Batata" Domingues

Ricardo De La Riva is a legendary Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt from Brazil who is both well known and well respected throughout the world. He currently resides in Rio de Janeiro but travels often around the world; he's in the U.S. today but heading out to Korea and Japan this week for a De La Riva tournament. In fact, I believe that I've met him three times over the last three years and each time was in central Florida. He came to Florida this month for the purpose of teaching and giving Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) seminars, and today he awarded my husband his brown belt (Congratulations, E!). That's quite an accomplishment; it's an even bigger deal that it was De La Riva himself who gave E his belt. Thiago, pictured above with De La Riva, is E's BJJ instructor in Orlando. He is also a well known, talented black belt instructor (and competitor) who is supportive and encouraging, as well as a good friend to E.


A Brazilian rapper even dedicated a song to De La Riva. Check it out...

Now E will return to his homeland with a brown belt in BJJ along with extensive experience in MMA, training and fighting with UFC fighters and with a number of fights under his own belt; this should open more doors to him as far as his fighting and teaching career. Additionally, receiving a brown belt will make E a more well rounded and better MMA fighter. He hopes to later earn his black belt, most likely in Brazil. I hope that E continues to have success in mixed martial arts and that I will read his name, see pictures and videos of him, watch him fight, and make a career out of this, as long as that's what he wants, for many years to come. 


Remember that you can read more about E's accomplishments in MMA at Manaus Fight's blog - in both English and Portuguese. Furthermore, you can stop by and "Like" E's Facebook page and/or click on the following link to learn more about him as a fighter...


MANAUS FIGHT: MAIS UM MANAUARA BRILHANDO FORA DO PAÍS COM O MMA "ELITON GOMES SARMENTO"


Thank you to everyone who has supported, and continues to support, E in his quest for success. We both appreciate it. And as always, thanks to all of the sponsors who have given money, clothes, and other forms of support to E - NewBreed, Dead Game, 2(x)ist, and RevGear. And now, here are a few pictures from today's De La Riva seminar at The Jungle MMA in Orlando, Florida...

Ricardo De La Riva

"Batata" with UFC fighters Seth Petruzelli & Tom Lawlor

E's last roll as a purple belt

Congratulations, E

De La Riva BJJ & The Jungle MMA