They say it’s important to date someone who has the same interests as you. And for those of us who train Jiu-Jitsu and have a significant other who doesn’t, you know the challenges that arise when you tell him or her that you are leaving to go train. And then coming back and displaying your new cauliflower ear and completely drenched rashguard doesn’t make it any easier.
And then there are those who date girls/guys who also train in Jiu-Jitsu. For many, Jiu-Jitsu is a way of life. Especially if you train in at a luxurious BJJ gym. You don’t just leave Jiu-jitsu on the mats. It comes home with you and it affects the way you eat, think and breathe. It really does become a lifestyle. So when your significant other also trains, you advance faster in this martial art.
And the added benefit of couples who train in Jiu Jitsu is that they get to spar with each… and are typically in great shape. But not all couples who train in Jiu-Jitsu are iron clad. As we began to write this article, we learned that many of our past favorite couples were no longer together including: Mackenzie Dern & Augusto Tanquinho Mendes ; Maciej Kozak & Irena Preiss and Robert & Sophia Drysdale.
But as in Jiu-Jitsu, if you get submitted – you tap, you learn and move on. And as they say in Jiujitsu… Oss!
Here are our favorite and hottest Jiu Jitsu couples:
Eve Torres Gracie and Rener Gracie
Eve also made our previous list of celebrities who train in Jiu-Jitsu, because as many of you know she is well known for her work in the WWE. This couple is growing strong as they recently had a baby. Eve teaches the women Empowered Self Defense Program at the Gracie Academy in Torrence.
Rener Gracie is a black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and has been practicing Jiu-Jitsu since he was in diapers. But apparently is also a black belt in having some GAME for being able to lock in Eve Torres into a marriage submission! Rener is extremely likable and you can’t get enough of him explaining his Renergy Sandwich or special Acai Bowl which he has down to a science.
Andre Galvao and Angelica Galvao
Andre is a highly decorated Jiu-Jitsu competitor with ADCC and World Championships medals under his belt. He has submitted some really high level Jiu-Jitsu players including Roberto Abreu at the 2015 ADCC Superfight. He now heads the ATOS Team in San Diego California.
Angelica first started training back in 2003. She was a blue belt at the time and was winning a couple of small tournaments. In 2004, she met Andre and a year later they found out they were expecting a baby. Angelica took a break from BJJ and tried to come back to the sport but couldn’t give 100% so ended up taking a longer break.
In 2010, they all moved the the United States and opened up a small school. Angelica returned to Jiu-Jitsu with an emphasis on bringing more girls to the mat. She quickly rose to the top and became a black belt. Not only is she an inspiration in the Jiu-Jitsu community, but she also a great example of how it’s possible to juggle being a mom and a champion.
Santeri Lilius & Emilia Tuukkanen
Santeri is a great Jiu-Jitsu competitor from Europe. He was one of the youngest brown belts in Finland and received his black belt in 2015. He now teaches at Roger Gracie Malaga.
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Emila, who is also from Finland, is a two-time European Champion. She started Jiujitsu in 2011 and is currently a Brown Belt. She also serves as an instructor in Malaga Spain under Pablo Cabo.
Monique Ricardo and Eddie Ricardo
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Eddie had an early start in the world of martial arts. He started when he was only 6 years old and practiced Karate, Capoeira. When he was 15 he moved the United States, where Carlos Machado took him under his wing and began to train him. After 10 years, he was awarded his black belt. He was then given his 1st degree black belt by Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira. He now teaches at Cobra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Plano, Texas.
Monique started as a fitness model and earned a lot of recognition in that field. She won a lot of competitions and was even named one of top 10 hottest fitness girls of all times by Flex Magazine.
After meeting her husband, it didn’t take long for her to want to get involved with the martial art. She received her purple belt after two years and became a World Champion in 2010. She is currently a Black Belt.
Tyler and Jena Bishop
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Tyler is an eight time state champion and earned his black belt in 2014.
Jena received her black belt in 5 years and is a 12 time Pan and World medalist.
They live in San Diego and teach under the Gracie Humaita banner.
Have we left out any other Power Jiu-Jitsu Couples?
