Murilo Bustamante brings together MMA and jiu-jitsu legends for his 8th-degree belt promotion

Murilo Bustamante, former UFC middleweight champion and legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu figure, was promoted to 8th-degree black belt in a ceremony held at the AABB club in Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro. The honor saw him receive the red-and-white coral belt, marking a milestone in a career that has shaped grappling and mixed martial arts history.

The promotion drew an extraordinary gathering of BJJ and MMA icons. In attendance were Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, Ricardo De La Riva, Fernando Pinduka, Carlos Rosado and Bebeo Duarte, alongside cross-academy rivals including Ralph Gracie, Leonardo Castello Branco, Sergio Zveiter, Hélio Soneca and Vini Campello. Each speaker paid tribute to Bustamante's influence across jiu-jitsu, vale tudo and fighting.

Nogueira, who credited Bustamante as both mentor and inspiration, remarked: "I'm proud to say that in the biggest battles of my career, I had my idol and master by my side. He was a world jiu-jitsu champion and the first Brazilian to become the undisputed UFC category champion. His greatness is reflected in this incredible gathering of masters from different generations and different teams."

A Carlson Gracie black belt and co-founder of Brazilian Top Team, Bustamante remains one of the sport's most respected figures. His legacy bridges the evolution of vale tudo and early mixed martial arts, where he helped establish the blueprint for technical grappling-based fighting before becoming a champion and elder statesman of the martial arts world.