It is not easy to get a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Getting hit, grounded, and grounded some more on the mats for ten years or longer is what most people need. BJJ schools are called “academies” for a reason: it takes a long time to learn, like going to college.
Occasionally, a person surpasses the typical training schedule. Some of these people had experience with other types of martial arts, some were just amazingly good at it, and some were totally hooked on training all the time.
These people became black belts faster than most people become blue belts. They are on the list of the fastest black belt awards in Jiu-Jitsu history.
10 Fastest Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Promotions of All times
10. Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez—4 Years
Richie Martinez is Geo Martinez’s brother, and like his younger sibling, he came from a breakdancing background. He also trained under Eddie Bravo at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and got his black belt in 4 years.
Richie’s unique and unpredictable style established him as a formidable presence in the No-Gi and submission-only realms. He also fought in MMA and is now one of 10th Planet’s top instructors.
9. Fabiano Scherner—3 Years
Fabiano Scherner is a UFC veteran and top coach at Gracie Barra. He’s known for training older grapplers and helping them stay competitive. But before he became a coach, he was one of the fastest black belts ever.
His three-year journey to the black belt is nearly unprecedented, yet he demonstrated that exceptional athleticism and continuous training can expedite the learning process.
8. Lloyd Irvin—3.5 Years
Speaking of Lloyd Irvin, he also made the list. He got his black belt under Leo Dalla in just 3.5 years, which is crazy considering he had almost no formal instruction after blue belt.
Irvin basically figured out Jiu-Jitsu on his own after his instructor left for Brazil. He studied, competed, and built his own successful academy, producing high-level black belts in the process.
7. Mike Fowler—3.5 Years
Mike Fowler trained under Lloyd Irvin, following the famous “Grappling Blueprint” training system. His combination of talent and hard work led him to a black belt in just 3.5 years.
Fowler became known for his slick technique, wild hair, and unorthodox approach to Jiu-Jitsu. He didn’t just get promoted fast—he backed it up in high-level competition.
6. Gabriel Moraes—3.5 Years
Gabriel Moraes did something unheard of—he skipped the purple and brown belt levels. He won the IBJJF World Championship as a blue belt, and within a year, he was promoted to black belt. Some saw it as controversial, but his results proved that he belonged at the highest level.
5. Geo Martinez—3 Years
Geo Martinez wasn’t your typical Jiu-Jitsu guy. Before stepping on the mats, he was a professional breakdancer. He trained under Eddie Bravo at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and picked up BJJ ridiculously fast.
His natural movement, flexibility, and creativity gave him an edge. In just three years, he was promoted to black belt and became a serious competitor in the submission-only scene.
4. Mads Burnell—3 Years
Mads Burnell is a Danish MMA fighter and black belt under Chris Haueter, one of the original American black belts (from the famous Dirty Dozen). Burnell was only 21 years old when he got his black belt, proving that age doesn’t matter when you’re putting in the work.
3. BJ Penn—3 Years
BJ Penn was the first American to win the IBJJF World Championship as a black belt. He trained under Andre Pederneiras (Nova União) and got his black belt in just three years—a ridiculous achievement at the time.
BJ Penn’s talent was matched by his obsession. He trained in Brazil, immersed himself in Jiu-Jitsu, and eventually transitioned into MMA, ultimately becoming a UFC champion. His black belt wasn’t just given to him—it was earned through relentless training and insane dedication.
2. Caio Terra—3 Years
Caio Terra is one of the most technical grapplers in the world. His approach to BJJ is so refined that it makes sense he flew through the ranks.
Under Reyson Gracie and Paulo Strauch, he dominated the local Brazilian scene and quickly established himself as one of the best roosterweights ever.
The crazy part? Caio Terra exemplifies the notion that size is irrelevant. He’s not a big guy, but his skill and precision make him dangerous against anyone.
1. Travis Stevens—18 Months
Yep, you read that right—18 months. Travis Stevens is a world-class judoka, an Olympic silver medalist, and an absolute monster on the mats. He trained under John Danaher and used his insane grappling skills to fast-track his way through BJJ.
Most people spend months stuck at white belt. Travis was at white belt for only a few weeks before blasting through the ranks. By the time he hit black belt, he was already a problem for most high-level guys.
What Can We Learn from These Fast Promotions?
Does this imply that you should strive to obtain your black belt within 3 or 4 years? Probably not. Most of these guys were already elite athletes before starting Jiu-Jitsu. Some had backgrounds in judo, wrestling, or breakdancing (which helps more than you’d think).
But there are a few lessons we can take away from their success:
✅ Consistency matters more than time. These guys trained every day, sometimes multiple times a day. If you want to improve fast, consistency is key.
✅ Talent + hard work = success. Some people are naturally gifted, but that only gets you so far. Every person on this list put in serious work.
✅ Find the right coach. The fastest black belts all had amazing coaches—John Danaher, Andre Pederneiras, Eddie Bravo, Renzo Gracie, etc. Who you learn from makes a difference.
✅ Everyone has their own path. Most people take 8-12 years to get their black belt, and that’s perfectly fine. Jiu-Jitsu isn’t a race. The journey matters more than the destination.
Final Thoughts
The individuals on this list are exceptional, not the norm. But their stories are inspiring. They show us that with the right mindset, crazy work ethic, and a little bit of natural ability, it’s possible to achieve unbelievable things in Jiu-Jitsu.
At the end of the day, though, it doesn’t matter how fast you get there. It matters that you keep going.
So keep training, keep improving, and most importantly—enjoy the journey.
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