Ricky Lundell Martial artist
Ricky Lundell is a Gracie (Brazilian) Jiu Jitsu 2nd degree black belt under Pedro Sauer and considered by many to be his most technical black belt. Ricky started Jiu-Jitsu at age six and is credited with being the youngest North American to receive the rank of black belt in Gracie (Brazilian) Jiu-Jitsu (age 19 when received). Ricky is a two-time Pancrase (Submission Wrestling) World Champion at 149 lbs and a 1x Absolute Pancrase World Champion. He was the smallest person to win the absolute division of Pancrase by over 20 lbs and submitted Brandon Ruiz who is a 2x FILA Silver Medalist in heavyweight division (265 lbs) who was on 2 USA World Teams with Ricky. Ricky Lundell won the World Team Trials and took home MOG (Most Outstanding Grappler) award in 2007 and 2008. He represented the USA for Grappling 2x and is a 2x FILA World Championship in Submission Grappling under FILA (International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles), the same organization that oversees Olympic wrestling.Ricky started College at Utah Valley University when he was 15yrs old and graduated with a science degree at 18. He was recruited by Cody and Cael Sanderson as a college senior to wrestle for Iowa State University at the age of 20. He is the 1st D1 Wrestler to ever be recruited having only Jiu-Jitsu/Submission Grappling experience and no folkstyle match experience. Despite the NCAA's refusal to give Ricky any eligibility to start for the team at ISU, Ricky lettered in Wrestling and went on to win the USA World Team Trials where he won the Most Outstanding Grappler award and won the FILA Grappling World Championship again while on the Cyclones team.Ricky holds notable wins over several world champions including Nicolas Renier, Tom Lecuyer, Brandon Ruiz, Alberto Crane and Jeff Glover, both in no-gi submission grappling tournaments.
