Joao Roque

A Vale Tudo Japan, UFC, and Shooto vet who competed in MMA from 1996 to 2005 Roque was the 1997 world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion training under Andre Pederneiras at Nova Uniao. His receiving of a black belt in 1993 makes him one of the first known African born martial artists to receive the rank in BJJ. After retiring from active competition he went on to open his own gym, Clube Vizinhança, in Brasilia, Brazil.