# James Puopolo

> Black Belt | United States

## Overview

**Name:** James Puopolo

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt

**Nationality:** United States

**Gender:** Male

**Weight:** 99 kg


## Bio

James Puopolo started training Jiu-Jitsu in January 2005, shortly after he finished High School. James had played for his high school basketball team and wanted to pick up boxing, though his father influenced him to take Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instead after watching a few of the early UFC’s.

Training under Rafael Lovato Junior while maintaining a career as a math teacher, James Puopolo managed to become one of the top grapplers in the country. He also trained extensively with Ben Baxter and the Ribeiro brothers (Saulo and Xande), reaching his black belt status in October 2011 from Rafael Lovato Junior.

James Puopolo vs Arman Barros

James Puopolo vs Ricardo Bufarra

James Puopolo vs Matt Owen
## Specialties

- x-guard, butterfly guard, kneebar
## Achievements

- 1st Place ADCC USA Trials (2009/2011)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2013)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship  (2015)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2016)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2018 / 2019)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2014 / 2015*)
- 3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2019)
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2009 purple)
- 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2011 brown, 2009 purple)
- 1st Place US Nationals (2010** brown)
- 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals No-Gi (2008 purple)
- 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2007 blue)
- 2nd Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2011* brown)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2008 purple, 2010** brown)
- 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2010, 2009 brown)
## Lineage

- Carlos Gracie (Red Belt)
- Hélio Gracie (Red Belt)
- Carlos Gracie Junior (Coral Belt)
- Carlos Machado (Coral Belt)
- Rafael Lovato Jr. (Black Belt)

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**Last Updated:** September 08, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/james-puopolo)