Roberto de Abreu Filho (commonly known as "Cyborg" Abreu) is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) competitor, academy owner and instructor. A 7-time World No-Gi Champion, Abreu is known for his trademark Tornado Guard position which involves inverting underneath the opponent and elevating them into a sweep.[2]

Cyborg Abreu
Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu uses his gi to choke his opponent at the 2009 Pan-Am Championship.
BornRoberto de Abreu Filho
(1980-12-20) December 20, 1980 (age 43)
Campo Grande, Brazil
Other namesRoberto de Abreu Filho
ResidenceMiami, Florida, United States
NationalityBrazil Brazilian
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight222 lb (101 kg; 15.9 st)
DivisionUltra-Heavyweight
StyleBrazilian Jiu Jitsu
Fighting out ofMiami, Florida, United States
TeamFight Sports Miami
Nova Geracao
Teacher(s)Francisco “Toco” Albuquerque
Rank  5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu[1]
Medal record
Representing  United States
Submission Wrestling
ADCC World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2024 Las Vegas Absolute
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Las Vegas -99kgs
Gold medal – first place 2013 Beijing, China Absolute
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Beijing, China +99kg
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Nottingham, UK +99kg
Silver medal – second place 2009 Barcelona, Spain +99kg
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2013 California, US +100.5 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2011 California, US +100.5 kg
Silver medal – second place 2010 California, US +100.5 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2008 California, US -100.5 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Absolute
World No-Gi Championship
Gold medal – first place 2021 California, US +100.5 kg
Silver medal – second place 2021 California, US Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2019 California, US +100.5 kg
Silver medal – second place 2019 California, US Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2017 California, US +100.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2012 California, US +100.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2011 California, US +100.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2010 California, US +100.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2010 California, US Absolute
Silver medal – second place 2008 California, US -100.5 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2008 California, US Absolute
Bronze medal – third place 2007 California, US -100.5 kg
Pan American Championship
Gold medal – first place 2022 Florida, US +100.5 kg
Gold medal – first place 2008 Florida, US -100.5 kg
European Open Championship
Gold medal – first place 2005 Lisbon, Portugal -100.5 kg

Grappling career

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Roberto de Abreu Filho grew up in rural Brazil and was affiliated with Nova Geracao.[3] In 2000 Abreu was in a car accident and was left with 300 stitches on his left arm. He was told that he wouldn’t be able to move his arm again but four months later he won silver at the Brazilian Nationals. His coach told him that only a cyborg could make a come back this fast. The name Cyborg then stuck with him.[4]

Abreu is a very active BJJ competitor and coach, with multiple titles including gold medals at the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2019, and 2021 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships. He also won the ADCC Absolute title in 2013.[5]

2023-2024

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On March 8, 2023, Cyborg was handed a three-year ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after failing a December 20, 2022, drug test for using performance enhancing drugs at the 2022 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships. Abreu left the competition early and was tested off site. He tested positive for exogenous testosterone and metabolites (steroids). His suspension began retroactively on January 25, 2023.[6][7]

Abreu was invited to compete in the BJJ Stars 10 Absolute Grand prix on April 22, 2023.[8] He lost to Mauricio Oliveira on points in the opening round.[9] Abreu was scheduled to compete against Nicholas Meregali at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29, 2023.[10] He lost the match by armbar in EBI overtime.[11]

Abreu competed against Anton Minenko in the co-main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023.[12] He won the match by unanimous decision.[13]

Abreu faced Henrique Cardoso in the co-main event of ADXC 3 on March 2, 2024.[14] He lost the match by decision.[15]

Abreu was then invited to compete in the under 99kg division of the 2024 ADCC World Championship on August 17 to 18, 2024.[16] He beat both Daishi Goto and Javier Zaruski by decision to make it to the semi-finals, where he was submitted by Kaynan Duarte.[17] He defeated Michael Pixley by points to win a bronze medal. Abreu also entered the absolute division where he beat Luiz Paulo, Izaak Michell, and Giancarlo Bodoni on points before being submitted by Kaynan Duarte in the final and winning a silver medal.[18]

Fight Sports

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Abreu currently living in Miami, United States where he runs his academy Fight Sports coaching multiple high level BJJ athletes.[19]

In 2020, a BJJ black belt under Abreu and instructor at Fight Sports Naples, Marcel Goncalves, was accused of sexual assault by a student of his who was 16 years old at the time of the incident.[20] Initially, Abreu drew heavy criticism for his handling of the claims and how he chose to comment on them before he eventually put out a further statement that denounced Goncalves' actions.[21] Since then, Abreu has also been named in a civil suit on the same matter, where he and Fight Sports LLC were accused of "failure to properly oversee its trainers and instructors and its failures to properly care for vulnerable minors training at Fight Sports’ gyms."[22][23] On June 17, 2023, a summary judgement was issued in the case that ruled in favor of Abreu and Fight Sports.[24]

In 2023, a second sexual assault lawsuit named both Abreu and Fight Sports LLC, stemming from an incident concerning another affiliated gym.[25] Mandy Schneider was allegedly sexually assaulted by Rodrigo da Costa Oliveira, the coach of Rockstar Martial Arts Gym in Frisco, Texas, in a hotel room. The lawsuit stated that Schneider told the managers of the gym, but they did not inform her parents or the authorities and instead ordered her to stay quiet.[26] The lawsuit claimed that "The repeated failures of Roberto Abreu and Fight Sports to ensure the safety of underage athletes have fostered an environment ripe for such abuse."

Personal life

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Abreu was cast as Fábio Gurgel in The Smashing Machine.[27]

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu achievements

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Main Achievements (Black Belt):[28]

  • ADCC World Champion (2013[a])[29]
  • IBJJF No-Gi World Champion (2021 / 2019 / 2017 / 2012 / 2011 / 2010[b])
  • IBJJF Pan Championship (2008 / 2022)
  • IBJJF European Open (2005)
  • IBJJF Grand Prix (2019)
  • IBJJF Masters World Championship (2018)
  • Kasai Pro 264 lbs Grand Prix winner (2020)
  • Grappling Pro Champion (2016)
  • 2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2009)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2010)
  • 2nd Place No-Gi World Champion (2021[a] / 2019[a] / 2008)
  • 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2009)
  • 2nd Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2007)
  • 2nd Place AJP King of Mats (2018)
  • 3rd Place ADCC World Championship (2017[30]/2013/2011)
  • Brazilian Wrestling National Champion (Brazilian National team member).[31]
  • No Gi Grappler of the Year at the JitsMagazine BJJ Awards 2020[32]
  • 2020 FloGrappling No-Gi Grappler of the Year[33]

Main Achievements (Colored Belt):

  • IBJJF Pan American Champion (2001 blue)
  • 2nd place World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (2004 brown)
  • 3rd place World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (2002 / 2003 purple)
  • 2nd place Pan American Championship (2002[b] purple)

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Absolute
  2. ^ a b Weight and absolute

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rogers, Kian. "Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu Promoted To 5th Degree BJJ Black Belt". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Roberto Cyborg Abreu - Using the Tornado Sweep". BjjTribes. 2020-09-05. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  3. ^ "Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu | The Jiu Jitsu Laboratory". Thejiujitsulab.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-20. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  4. ^ "Interview with Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Legend: Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu – BJJ Legends Magazine". BJJ Legends Magazine – Training Tomorrows Legends Today. 2010-11-16.
  5. ^ "ADCC 2013: Cyborg champion of absolute, Gabi wins again and more | Graciemag". 20 October 2013.
  6. ^ "5 Athletes Receive 3-Year USADA Suspensions After No-Gi Worlds". Flo Grappling. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  7. ^ Rogers, Kian (9 March 2023). "5 Competitors Receive 3-Year USADA Suspensions After IBJJF No Gi World Championship 2022". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  8. ^ de Souza, Diogo (23 March 2023). "BJJ Stars 10 Absolute Tournament Lineup Announced". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  9. ^ "BJJ Stars 10: Battlefield Full Results And Review". JitsMagazine. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  10. ^ Lindsey, Alex (4 June 2023). "Nicholas Meregali And Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu Meet At UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  11. ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Gracie, Cyborg, And More: Check Out The Full Roster Of Athletes For ADXC 1". Jitsmagazine. October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  13. ^ "ADXC 1 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  14. ^ "ADXC 3: Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu Faces Henrique 'Ceconi' Cardoso In The Co-Main Event Grappling Bout". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  15. ^ "ADXC 3 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  16. ^ Blackett, Todd. "ADCC 2024 Divisions Start To Fill Up With Four More Invites". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  17. ^ "ADCC 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  18. ^ "ADCC 2024 Absolute Divisions Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu « ADCC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BARCELONA 2009". Adccbarcelona.com. 2009-08-06. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  20. ^ "Naples martial arts coach accused of sexually assaulting minor". Wink News. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  21. ^ Burne, Kathrine (13 August 2021). "Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu And Vagner Rocha Respond To Fight Sports Sexual Assault Allegations". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  22. ^ Jones, Phil (10 December 2021). "Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu Sued For Mishandling Sexual Assault Claims At Fight Sports". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  23. ^ Majchrowicz, Michael. "Miami Jiujitsu Legend, Fight Sports Gyms Implicated in Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit". Miami New Times. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  24. ^ Rogers, Kian (24 June 2023). "Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu And Fight Sports Win Summary Judgement In Sexual Assault Lawsuit". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  25. ^ Phillips, Sabrina (27 June 2023). "Fight Sports And Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu Named In Second Sexual Assault Lawsuit". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Texas jiu-jitsu fighter raped as minor by instructor, world champion named in lawsuit". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  27. ^ Williams, Jackson. "Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu Cast As Fabio Gurgel In Mark Kerr Biopic 'The Smashing Machine'". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu". BJJ Heroes. 2010-02-21.
  29. ^ "ADCC 2013 Final Round". ADCombat. 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  30. ^ "ADCC Worlds 2017 Complete Results and Brackets • ADCC NEWS".
  31. ^ "Roberto Cyborg Abreu". BJJ Heroes. 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  32. ^ "The Jitsmagazine 2020 BJJ Awards". 2 January 2021.
  33. ^ "Roberto Cyborg is the 2020 FloGrappling Male Grappler of the Year".
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