The Top 10 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Fighters in MMA Today

Mixed Martial Arts had come a long way since the days when UFC was just a glorified match, and Royce Gracie submitted each opponent he faced.

The MMA community knows that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, also known as BJJ, is a very influential martial art for one-on-one fighting.

However, today's MMA rules favor striking fighters (with the awkward stands by the ref during a match) and wrestlers. It's becoming more challenging to prove BJJ's worth within the octagon.

Despite that, a few MMA fighters still have BJJ training and are still at the top. Here's my list today of the Top 10 BJJ MMA Fighters.

10) RICARDO ARONA (13-5-0 )

This man is no. Although he is No. 10, he could be No. 1. He is not the only black belt in BJJ. But he is also a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) submission wrestler winner in the absolute.

Everyone knows that winning the ADCC absolute is the highest award in grappling. And it's almost impossible to do so twice. Although he only managed two submission victories in his MMA life (a kneebar choke and a rear-naked choke), he's considered a top-level MMA fighter because he beat some of the best in the MMA world today (Sakuraba Horn Ninja, Ninja, and Wandy ). Rumors claim he will return to the UFC to fight as an LHW. That is what I'm looking forward to.

9) THALES LEITES (13-1-0)

Although the "Kimbo" MMA fan may not know this young fighter, BJJ enthusiasts and hardcore BJJ fans will be familiar with his story. Thales is pleased with his 13 wins and only one loss. Although his UFC debut against Kappman was his one loss, Thales Leites has not lost since. He has won four consecutive UFC victories, most recently beating Nate Marquardt. He's a calm, cool, collected MMA fighter, and his next opponent needs to watch out for his submissions...especially his arm triangle.

8) RICARDO ALMEIDA (9-3-0)

One of the men on this list has competed and won in MMA and UFC long before the Ultimate Fighter TV Show and the explosion of UFC's popularity. He is a blackbelt BJJ under Master Renzo and has competed in many Gi BJJJ tourneys and the ADCC absolute division.

After his win in PRIDE against Ryochonan, Almeida departed MMA in 2004. He wanted to be able to focus on other things as well as his jiu-jitsu training. Almeida saw MMA growing in popularity and decided he couldn't sit still. In February 2008, he submitted Rob Yundt by using a vicious guillotine.

Although he lost a close split to Cotein's last fight, I'm certain he will bounce back and show the MMA community how awesome his BJJ was.

7) GABRIEL GONZAGA (9-3-0)

Gonzaga is often remembered for his head kick knockout win over Mirko Filipovic. Most people are unaware that Gonzaga is a world-class BJJ player. Gonzaga is a former ADCC wrestler and has competed in several Gi BJJ tournaments with many of the world's best grapplers.

Although his BJJ knowledge is extensive, his top BJJ game is the most important. Gonzaga's victims can attest that nothing is worse than having a professional wrestler in your corner.

Although he lost to Couture & Werdum a while back, his recent steamrolling submission victory in top position (over Just McCully) puts him back on the right path to MMA.

6) SHINYA AOKI (18-3-0)

Shinya, according to me, is the most skilled Asian submission grappler. He has competed at various Gi BJJ events and the ADCC tournament, both in his weight category and the absolute division (despite the reality that everyone he grapples alongside in that division is larger than he is).

What makes him so remarkable in MMA? His ability to make high-caliber submissions. He has a total of 10 submission victories. They have been by neck crank, arm bar, neck gogoplata, and triangle. His standing arm lock win over Keith Wisniewski won't make you smile.

He has also shown great leg locks that are incredibly devastating, even though he's not yet able to hit one in an MMA match. We will see him more frequently at only 25 years of age.

5) PAULO FILHO (16-0-0)

Paulo Filho is the No. Sherdog ranked him the second-best middleweight fighter in all of MMA (just behind Anderson Silva). He is the WEC's current middleweight champion. You can see that he is on a 16-fight win streak. If you are wondering if the guy got easy wins at no-name groups, don't be. His successes have come from PRIDE, Pancrase (seven of them), DEEP, as well as, of course, WEC.

His BJJ skills are unstoppable, and all his submission victories have been achieved via an arm bar. His opponents don't know that an armbar is coming, and they can't change it. He is just too good to be kept in the UFC.

4) ANTONIO RODRIGO NOGUEIRA (31-4-1)

Former UFC Interim Heavyweight champion. Also, a PRIDE heavyweight champion. His MMA accomplishments are up there among the best. His BJJ achievements are legendary. He has won 19 victories with various submissions, such as the crucifix and armbar, guillotine or anaconda, a triangle ...., etc.

Anderson Silva received his Black Belt from Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. I think he's still underrated despite all his achievements. Casual fans don't probably realize how great he is.

Although it was disappointing for Couture to lose his UFC interim title due to Couture's return to the ring, there are brighter things: more casual viewers will get to see him on The Ultimate Fighter reality television show.

3) DEMIAN MAIA (8-0-0)

If this were a list of top 10 BJJ instructors (not just in MMA), many people would be on it, but Demian Maia would still make a list. His BJJ ranks among the best in the country, and he has a Gi that is the best on this list.

His ability to seamlessly adapt his highly-skilled BJJ sport into MMA places him so high (ask Marcello Garcia and Alberto Crane).

Demian can deal with punches, but it's a different game. Demian has been able to adapt and keep his head down, which has made him a success in MMA. Demian also proved the effectiveness of BJJ, taking a bit from Ed Herman but still winning by submission.

His impressive win over Jason Macdonald was his latest. His next fight will be against Nathan Quarry. Anderson Silva shouldn't retire if Demian does a quick job of Quarry.

2) NATHAN DIAZ (10-2-0)

Nathan Diaz (or Nate Diaz) is probably my wildcard.

Seven of his ten wins were by submission. Most of the others had the Cesar Gracie product as a purple brace. He has been on a rampage since he won The Ultimate Fighter. He submitted all his opponents and was promoted to the top.

He displayed exceptional BJJ in his fight against Josh Neer, which he won by decision. He follows a BJJ MMA approach and continually brings new and different techniques from the BJJ club to the octagon.

He is the No. His determination and heart give him the No. 2. spot on this list. He does not give up no matter how hard he beats himself and believes he can do it.

Gray Maynard was beating up on him in semis. Nate proved my mistake by taking Gray Maynard out and giving him a drop guillotine in the second round.

Nate also had to face Kurt Pellegrino in BJJ. He is a Black Belt, and Nate is a Brown Belt. The fight was nearly over. However, Nate could pull off a Triangle choke, which ultimately won him his match.

Even though he is only 23 years old, he seems to have a good understanding of BJJ.

1) B.J. PENN (13-4-1)

B.J. Penn may not place first on the list of the best pound-for-pound MMA fighters, but I think it would be hard to argue that Penn should not receive this honor. B.J. B.J.

His BJJ knowledge ranks up with the best. However, his unique flexibility and control make him an extraordinary BJJ instructor. B.J. Penn mounts.

One person said Penn's BJJ was not very good since he does nothing but rear-naked chokes. BJJ success doesn't require mastering a million submissions or achieving a million leg locks. BJJ involves advancing your position and looking for suggestions.

Penn isn't going for leg locks in his fights. Penn will take you down, pass through your guard, and then submits you with a "simple" or beats you down from mounted. There is nothing anyone could do.

B.J. Penn, without any doubt, wins the No. You are at the No.