Saulo Ribeiro was born in Manaus, Brazil on July 2, 1974. At the age of 15 and already a Judo practitioner, Saulo started training Jiu Jitsu as a way to improve his Judo game by learning submissions. He moved away from home in December 1991 and headed to school in Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Janeiro is where Saulo began his training under Royler Gracie at the legendary Gracie Humaitá. Shortly after receiving his black belt from Royler Gracie on November 27, 1995, Saulo won the Brazilian Nationals Lightweight Title.
University of Jiu Jitsu
Alongside brother Xande, Saulo runs the University of Jiu Jitsu in San Diego, California, a school that focuses as much on the traditional and character aspects of students as technical and practical ability. The school opened in Feb 10, 2007, and is currently the headquarters of the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association with over 50 affiliates world-wide. Saulo is also the author of the book Jiu Jitsu University, a detailed training manual that presents techniques for each belt level from white to black belt. In addition, he teaches in various instructional DVD releases, like the "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Revolution" series which was first released in 2004.
Instructorship
Saulo, through the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association, is said to have over 2000 students, and has graduated over 60 black belts. Saulo has also been coach to many high-level grappling competitors such as World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Rafael Lovato Jr., and MMA FighterDiego Sanchez, who trained out of The Arena gym in San Diego until Sanchez returned to his home state of New Mexico.
Retirement and return
The 2009 ADCC in Barcelona would be Saulo's last, and saw him, to the surprise of many, competing in the +99 kg weight category. He defeated Kouji Kanechika and World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Romulo Barral before losing to the much larger Fabrício Werdum in the semifinal on judges' decision. After losing on another judges' decision in the third-place dispute to Jeff Monson, Saulo announced his retirement from professional jiu-jitsu and grappling competition. Less than a year later, Ribeiro announced he would be competing for the first time in the International Masters and Seniors tournament. He succeeded in winning his weight division, along with the team trophy for Gracie Humaita, who had lost it to Gracie Barra the previous year. On August 9, 2014, Saulo fought Rodrigo Medeiros in a grappling match in Metamoris IV. The fight ended in a draw.
