Top 12 Grappling Girls to Follow on Instagram
It’s time the grappling girls of the world got the respect and attention they deserve! Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), although evolving and changing with the times, remains a male-dominated sport. But there are some killer grappling girls out there you just need to know about!
Continue reading to see the top 12 grappling girls to follow on Instagram. Looking for the wildest girls out there, click here.
- Sarrah Rose (@sarrahrosejiujitsu)
The first grappling girl on our list – Sarrah Rose – trains under Team Jean Jacques Machado in Austin, Texas. Although still only a white belt in BJJ, this impressive businesswoman has her black belt in sex education! When not on the mats, Sarrah Rose can be found running her men’s sex coaching service, Tantric Activation (@tantricactivation)
- Maii Jun (@maijun.xo)
This model can pose for the camera – then take your back and slap on a perfect rear naked choke! Maii Jun has a blue belt in BJJ, follows a plant-based diet, and her popular social media page shows her balancing time between modeling shoots, travel, and BJJ.
- Priscilla Hembroff (@nogipriss)
Popular no-gi grappler Priscilla Hembroff is a purple belt from 10th Planet in Austin, Texas. Her popular Instagram page is a gold mine for great no-gi technique videos where she is often demonstrating cool sequences with her husband, Curtis Hembroff (@Curtis10p), who is the head instructor at 10th Planet Austin.
- Jessica Branco (@jessbranc)
Originally from Montreal, Canada, this BJJ brown belt went from being a national team level figure skater to elite level grappler! Training out of Florida, Branco has been a mainstay in the competitive BJJ scene for some time. Keep an eye out for her on the podium this upcoming competition season!
- Giovanna Eburneo (@ghi_eburneo)
This popular grappling girl has her BJJ brown belt and is an active competitor. Also working as a personal trainer, Eburneo has one foot in the fitness industry, as she is partnered with major Brazilian supplement company Dragon Pharma. Eburneo’s social media is an interesting blend of BJJ training, competition, and technique videos, personal training, and modelling.
- Danielle Kelly (@daniellekellybjj)
A recently graduated black belt under Karel “Silver Fox” Pravec, Danielle Kelly brings an exciting style to the women’s competition scene. She is an IBJJF no-gi Pans gold medalist, an EBI vet, and there is more than one video online of her sparring or competing against men with significant size and weight advantages – and she does more than just hold her own!
- Renata Marinho (@renatamarinhobjj)
Originally beginning to train muay-thai and jiu-jitsu as a means of learning self-defense, Renata Marinho left a professional handball career and eventually became a three-time IBJJF World champion at purple and brown belt. Now a black belt under Fabio Gurgel, she is an active competitor and instructor at Team Alliance Sao Paulo
- Gezary Matuda (@gezarymatuda)
A BJJ black belt under legendary Ricardo Libório of American Top Team, Gezary Matuda originally found martial arts through Capoeira and Muay Thai. Although originally pushing to compete in striking, she instead pursued a competitive career in BJJ, winning IBJJF World championships at purple and brown belt. Once at black belt, Matuda’s IBJJF success continued, winning 3 World championships, 3 Pan championships, and a European championship.
- Kyra Gracie (@kyragracie)
A member of the legendary Gracie family, Kyra received her black belt from Carlos Gracie Junior after a decorated competitive career as a colored belt. Gracie is widely regarded as one of the top female competitors of all-time, with multiple gold medals at ADCC World championships and the IBJJF World and Pan championships. Further, Gracie has played a major role in bringing attention to the world of BJJ, being a spokesperson for the sport and making appearances on several famous Brazilian television programs.
- Ffion Eira Davies (@ffioneira3)
This welsh grappling girl has made a name for herself in recent years. After a decorated career as a purple and brown belt, Davies started her black belt life with a bang – becoming the first Polaris women’s champion, as well as earning a silver medal at ADCC, among a host of other exciting performances. Training under Darragh O’Conaill in Dublin, Ireland, Davies looks to make waves in coming years as she continues to solidify her place as one of the most exciting featherweight competitors of her generation.
- Michelle Nicolini (@mizinicolini)
A BJJ black belt under Robert Drysdale, Michelle Nicolini is one of the most decorated female competitors of her time, with 8 IBJJF World championship titles to her name, as well as an ADCC gold medal. Trading in her gi for 4 oz. gloves, Nicolini is now an active mixed martial arts fighter for Asia’s One Championship with a professional record of 6 wins and 2 losses.
- Claudia do Val (@claudiadovaljj)
With the #1 overall ranking for IBJJF gi and no-gi, Claudia do Val competes a lot! A 3-time IBJJF World champion, do Val elected not to compete much from white to purple belt, emerging onto the competition scene with important wins at major tournaments at brown belt. Now a black belt under Ricardo De La Riva, do Val is one of the most popular grappling girls on the scene today. Follow her globetrotting as she competes at nearly all of the major tournaments the IBJJF has to offer as she continues to cement herself as one of the most dominant forces in women’s BJJ today.
Want more interesting content like this? check out this Middle Easy article on The 10 Best Female Grapplers Ever, which we think you will truly appreciate!