Bustamante Honored By MMA Legends At 8th-Degree Promotion
Former UFC middleweight champion Murilo Bustamante was promoted to 8th-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro that drew legends from across both grappling and mixed martial arts.
Bustamante received the red-and-white coral belt at the AABB club in Lagoa, with attendees including Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, Ricardo Liborio, Ricardo De La Riva, Fernando Pinduka, and Ralph Gracie, according to Sherdog. Figures from rival academies also made the trip to honor the Carlson Gracie black belt, among them Leonardo Castello Branco, Sergio Zveiter, and Vini Campello.
Nogueira Praises Bustamante's Influence On Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Each guest spoke at the event about Bustamante's contributions to vale tudo and modern MMA. "I'm proud to say that in the biggest battles of my career, I had my idol and master by my side," Nogueira said, per the report. "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. This is a true tribute to jiu-jitsu."
Bustamante co-founded Brazilian Top Team after a career that included multiple BJJ world titles and the UFC middleweight championship. The promotion marks one of the highest ranks in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, awarded to practitioners who have spent decades advancing the art. Carlos Rosado and Bebeo Duarte were also among those who traveled to Rio for the ceremony.
Original reporting:
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