Celso Venicius was arguably the best Jiu-Jitsu Lightweight competitor of the early 2000's period. Promoted to black belt by the legendary Roberto “Gordo”, Venicius was originally a Gracie Barra academy representative, later becoming the head coach at the Ryan Gracie Academy in Sao Paulo after Gracie’s tragic death in 2007. Celso Venicius has also ventured into MMA in the 2010’s decade.