Ronaldo Souza

Ronaldo Souza
BornRonaldo Souza dos Santos
(1979-12-07) 7 December 1979
Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil
Other namesJacaré
ResidenceOrlando, Florida, United States
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight (2019)
Middleweight (2003–2021)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StyleBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Fighting out ofManaus, Amazonas, Brazil
TeamFusion X-Cel Performance
Rank4th degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (under Henrique Machado)
black belt in Judo (under Henrique Machado)
Years active2003–2021
Mixed martial arts record
Total37
Wins26
By knockout8
By submission14
By decision4
Losses10
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision5
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Submission Wrestling
ADCC World Championship
2003 Sao Paulo-88kg
2005 Long BeachAbsolute
2005 Long Beach-88kg
2009 BarcelonaSuperfight
2011 NottinghamSuperfight
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
2004 Rio de JaneiroAbsolute
2004 Rio de Janeiro-88kg
2005 Rio de JaneiroAbsolute
2005 Rio de Janeiro-88kg
CBJJO World Jiu-Jitsu Cup
2005 Rio de Janeiro-88 kg
2005 Rio de JaneiroAbsolute
2004 Rio de Janeiro-88 kg
2004 Rio de JaneiroAbsolute
Pan-American Championship
2004 Florida, USA-88kg
2004 Florida, USAAbsolute
European Championship
2005 Lisbon, Portugal-88kg
2005 Lisbon, Portugal−Absolute
Brazilian Championship
2004 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil−88kg

Ronaldo Souza dos Santos (born 7 December 1979), nicknamed "Jacaré" (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒakaˈɾɛ]), is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist, submission grappler and 4th degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.

Souza was a multiple time BJJ World champion in coloured belts before becoming a two-time black belt World Champion, ADCC Submission Fighting World Champion, CBJJO World Cup Champion, Brazilian National Champion and European Open Champion. He was inducted into the ADCC Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class due to his achievements in the sport.

Souza transitioned to MMA in 2003, competing for UFC from 2013 to 2021. A highly regarded grappler on the world stage, Souza is a former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, and has also formerly competed for DREAM and Jungle Fight.