# Todd Margolis

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## Overview

**Name:** Todd Margolis

**Date of Birth:** May 02, 1976 (age 50)


## Bio

Todd Margolis made history as the first American black belt to reach the IBJJF Pan Championship final in 2003 and the first USA athlete to medal in the absolute division the following year. A Maryland state high school wrestling champion in 1994, he began jiu-jitsu at 21 under Mario Yamasaki, earning his blue belt in three months and purple belt within two years. At purple, he became the first American to defeat a Gracie family member, beating Igor Gracie at the 2001 Pan Championship. He received his black belt under Pedro Sauer after just five and a half years of training. A severe spinal injury in 2005 sidelined him from competition for nearly twelve years, during which he opened BJJ Medellin in Colombia in 2008 and later Potomac MMA in 2018. He returned to major competition at the 2019 Pan No-Gi Masters division.

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**Last Updated:** September 24, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/todd-margolis)