# Ricardo De La Riva

> Black Belt

## Overview

**Name:** Ricardo De La Riva

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt


## Bio

Ricardo De La Riva solved the problem of being a small, flexible grappler surrounded by the crushing guard passers of Carlson Gracie’s Copacabana academy by inventing a guard that destabilized larger opponents so thoroughly it was first called “Guarda Pudim” (Pudding Guard). That guard earned its permanent name after he defeated the previously unbeaten Royler Gracie at the 1985 Copa Cantão. Awarded his black belt by Carlson in 1986, De La Riva stepped away from competition in 1993 to teach, but returned at age 37 to take bronze at the 2002 World Championships and later competed at ADCC 2003.
## Lineage

- Carlson Gracie (Red Belt)
## Links

- Twitter: http://www.bjjpix.com

---

**Last Updated:** September 08, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/ricardo-de-la-riva)