# Rodnei Barbosa ("Roy")

> Black Belt 2 Stripes

## Overview

**Name:** Rodnei Barbosa

**Nickname:** Roy

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt 2 Stripes


## Bio

Rodnei Barbosa was born on January 14, 1995, in Formiga – Minas Gerais, Brazil. The same town where well-known grapplers such as  Marcelo Garcia ,  Rodrigo Ranieri ,  Matheus Diniz  came from.

Martial arts appeared in Rodnei’s life at the age of 6, through capoeira, a style he practiced for 1 year. Due to Barbosa’s parents’ dire economic situation, he had to leave his capoeira days on standby. He returned to martial arts when he was 9 years old, through a social project led by Lourenço Nascimento at the town’s university where he first learned about jiu-jitsu.

Under Lourenço Nascimento’s guidance, Rodnei went through the belt system up until 2013 when Rodnei decided to make of jiu-jitsu his career, choosing to move away from Formiga and joining  Paulo Rezende ‘s headquarters academy in Poço de Caldas – MG, a gym to which Lourenço Nascimento was affiliated to. At Rezende’s gym, Rodnei joined Rezende’s famous fighter house. A place where coach “Paulao” shelters the team’s pro-athletes, providing them a roof, food and training. A place that has produced several talented athletes such as the aforementioned Reinaldo Ribeiro, Marcelo Garcia, Matheus Diniz and many more.

On the 24th of November, 2015. Rodney Barbosa was awarded his black belt from the hands of the prestigious coach Paulo Rezende, becoming Paulao’s 234th black belt.

Rodnei Barbosa vs Raphael Rachid

Rodnei Barbosa vs Douglas Josué
## Gym Affiliations

- **Ethos East LA Jiu-Jitsu Clube** (Los Angeles, United States) — Head Instructor
- **Ethos Jiu-Jitsu** (Fullerton, United States) — Head Instructor

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**Last Updated:** March 21, 2026

**Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/people/rodnei-barbosa-b271b740bc8d)