Roberto Traven
Roberto "Spider" Traven is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coral Belt practitioner. He is a former ADCC Absolute Champion, IBJJF World Champion, and UFC veteran. Traven is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the global BJJ community, known for both his competitive achievements and his coaching legacy.
Early life and Brazilian jiu-jitsu career
Traven was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16 under Romero "Jacaré" Cavalcanti, founder of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu. He earned his black belt in just four years, training alongside future legends such as Fábio Gurgel, Léo Vieira, and Eduardo "Jamelão" da Conceição. His natural talent and dedication led him to train three times a day, enabling him to quickly rise through the ranks. He was promoted to Corel Belt on July 10, 2021. There are only approximately 50 to 60 living BJJ coral belts worldwide.Competitive achievements
- First Place - Brazilian National Championship - 1995
- First Place - Brazilian Team Championship - 1995
- First Place - Brazilian Team Championship – 1996
- First Place - AFC Russia Ultimate Fighting – 1997
- First Place - World Jiu-Jitsu Championship – 1998
- First Place - open class in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship – 1999
- First Place - Brazilian Team Championship – 1999
- First Place - World Jiu-Jitsu Championship – 1999
- First Place - Rings Japan – 2000
- Second Place - Super fight in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship – 2000
- Second Place - Masters World Championship– 2002
- First Place - Master's World Cup super heavy-weight – 2002
- First Place - Master's World Cup open class – 2002
- First Place - Master's World Cup heavyweight – 2003
- First Place - Pan Ams open and super heavy weight division - 2006
- First Place - Pan American Senior II Heavy Weight division - 2010
- Third Place - ADCC Trials New Jersey Adult division - 2011
- First Place - World Master Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship Heavy Weight Division - 2014
- First Place - Pan Ams open and super heavy weight division - 2015
- First Place - World Master Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship Heavy Weight Division - 2016
- First Place - IBJJF World No-Gi Championship - 2024
Mixed martial arts career
Traven made his MMA debut at UFC 11 in 1996, defeating Dave Berry by TKO. He later faced Frank Mir at UFC 34, losing via armbar in the first round. His professional MMA record stands at 6 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with victories in promotions such as UFC, Rings, and IAFC.Grappling record
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Gi/No-Gi | Date | Notes |
| Loss | Jefferson Moura | Submission | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship - -94 kg Division semi finals | Gi | 2003 | |
| Win | Charles Faria | Points | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship - -94 kg Division first round | Gi | 2003 | |
| Loss | Tom Erickson | N/A | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg first round | No-Gi | 2001 | |
| Loss | Mario Cruz | Points | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division first round | No-Gi | 2001 | |
| Loss | Mario Sperry | Points | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Super Fight | No-Gi | 2000 | Silver in ADCC Super Fight |
| Win | Hayato Sakurai | Points | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division finals | No-Gi | 1999 | Wins Gold in Absolute |
| Win | Garth Taylor | Points | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division semi finals | No-Gi | 1999 | |
| Win | Luis Roberto | Points | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division quarter finals | No-Gi | 1999 | |
| Win | Fabiano Capoane | Points | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - Absolute Division first round | No-Gi | 1999 | |
| Loss | Jeff Monson | Points | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg Division semi finals | No-Gi | 1999 | |
| Win | Jurie Rachel | Submission | ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship - +99 kg Division first round | No-Gi | 1999 | |
| Win | Andre Marques | N/A | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship - +100 kg Division semi finals/ finals | Gi | 1999 | Wins Second Gold |
| Win | Minotauro Nogueira | Points | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship - +100 kg Division quarter finals | Gi | 1999 | |
| Win | John Machado | Points | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship - +100 kg Division finals | Gi | 1998 | Wins First Gold |
| Win | Otavio Duarte | Penalty | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship - +100 kg Division semi finals | Gi | 1998 | |
| Win | Roberto Godoi | N/A | World Jiu-Jitsu Championship - +100 kg Division quarter finals | Gi | 1998 |
Notable Black Belts Associated with Roberto Traven
- Muzio de Angelis – One of Traven’s earliest students and later his business partner in Brazil.
- Jared Dopp – High-level competitor and ADCC veteran, known to have trained under Traven at various points.
- Raphael Assunção – UFC veteran and BJJ black belt under Traven.
- Jeff Joslin – Canadian BJJ black belt and MMA fighter, trained under Traven.
- Carlos David Oliveira - 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, under Roberto Traven.
- Anna Salome - Roberto Traven's first female black belt, promoted on September 9, 2017