Michael Sainz
Black
P4P Unranked
Welterweight #14
Country: USA
Team:
Alpha Miami Grappling
Former Teams:
-
Wins
72
Losses
13
Draws
0
Win %
84.71%
Wins by Sub
33
Sub Win %
45.83%
Losses by Sub
4
Sub Loss %
30.77%
Current Win Streak
7
Longest Win Streak
16
Biography
Michael Sainz is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt representing Alpha Miami Grappling and one of the fastest-rising prospects in the -77kg division. At just 20 years old, he established himself as a top contender by winning the 2026 West Coast ADCC Trials, securing his place at the ADCC World Championships.
Sainz is known for a complete modern grappling style that blends strong wrestling and guard passing with an aggressive guard and dangerous leglock game. He thrives in scrambles, often dictating transitions and capitalizing on chaos, while also posing a constant submission threat from both top and bottom, with finishes ranging from heel hooks to armbars.
His 2026 Trials run highlighted his versatility and composure, earning wins over Jett Thompson, Ernesto Rivera, and Max Hanson en route to gold. Promoted to black belt in 2024, Sainz combines youth, pace, and technical depth, making him a serious dark horse heading into the ADCC World Championships.
Personal
Age
19-20
Birthday
—
Weight
Welterweight
Sex
Male
Belt Given By
Carlos Sainz
Legend Status
No
Social Media
* Legend status is reserved for retired athletes with outstanding achievements and a lasting impact on the sport.
Rankings
P4P Ranking
Unranked
Weight Class Ranking
14 (Welterweight)
Legend Ranking
—
Points
2446
Rating
3640.41
Main Titles
Loading achievements...
Submissions Breakdown
Wins
Losses
| Submission | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Outside heel hook | 9 | 0 |
| Armbar | 5 | 1 |
| Rear naked | 5 | 0 |
| Straight ankle lock | 3 | 0 |
| Triangle | 2 | 0 |
| Submission | 2 | 0 |
| Inside heel hook | 2 | 3 |
| Cloverleaf | 1 | 0 |
| Rear triangle | 1 | 0 |
| Toe hold | 1 | 0 |
| Bicep slicer | 1 | 0 |
| Choi bar | 1 | 0 |
MICHAEL SAINZ'S 85 MATCHES
| Opponent | Result | Date | Event | Method | Weight | Round | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Hanson | Win | 4/18/2026 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Decision | -77kg | Finals | 261 |
| Ernesto Rivera | Win | 4/18/2026 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Straight ankle lock | -77kg | Semi-Finals | 94 |
| Jett Thompson | Win | 4/18/2026 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Points: 3-0 | -77kg | Quarter-Finals | 31 |
| Liam Crelinsten | Win | 4/18/2026 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Walkover | -77kg | 16 | 0 |
| Robert Winther | Win | 4/18/2026 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Outside heel hook | -77kg | 32 | 8 |
| Elijah Chacon | Win | 4/18/2026 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Armbar | -77kg | 64 | 5 |
| Billy Goff | Win | 4/18/2026 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Inside heel hook | -77kg | 128 | 5 |
| Jacob Bornemann | Loss | 11/16/2025 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Points: 3-0 | 77KG | Finals | — |
| Nick Mataya | Win | 11/16/2025 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Points: 3-0 | 77KG | Semi-Finals | 94 |
| Ernesto Rivera | Win | 11/16/2025 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Choi bar | 77KG | Quarter-Finals | 16 |
| Ernesto Rivera | Win | 11/16/2025 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Armbar | 77KG | Quarter-Finals | 16 |
| Troy Wagoner | Win | 11/16/2025 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Rear naked | 77KG | 16 | 10 |
| Zach Cothren | Win | 11/16/2025 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Points: 8-0 | 77KG | 32 | 8 |
| Joshua Bacallao | Win | 11/16/2025 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Points: 2-0 | 77KG | 64 | 5 |
| Paul Bourdreaux | Win | 11/16/2025 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Outside heel hook | 77KG | 128 | 5 |
| Ryan Aitken | Loss | 10/24/2025 | WNO 30 | Decision | Absolute | Quarter-Finals | — |
| Natan Cheung | Win | 7/25/2025 | WNO 29 | Decision | Welterweight | — | 246 |
| Lewis Mclendon | Win | 6/14/2025 | ADCC Open Dallas | Rear naked | 76KG | Finals | 78 |
| Kekoa Canullo | Win | 6/14/2025 | ADCC Open Dallas | Rear naked | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 48 |
| Aldo Perez | Win | 6/14/2025 | ADCC Open Dallas | Points: 3-0 | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 18 |
| Eliazar Guardiola | Win | 6/14/2025 | ADCC Open Dallas | Rear naked | 76KG | 16 | 12 |
| Kade Tsitos | Win | 6/7/2025 | MCJJ 7 | Decision | 175LB | — | 16 |
| Jordan Holy | Win | 5/10/2025 | ADCC Open Atlanta | Points: 5-0 | 76KG | Finals | 78 |
| Rory Connors | Win | 5/10/2025 | ADCC Open Atlanta | Armbar | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 48 |
| Meryk Phillips | Win | 5/10/2025 | ADCC Open Atlanta | Unknown | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 18 |
| Jeffrey Cummings | Win | 5/10/2025 | ADCC Open Atlanta | Rear naked | 76KG | 16 | 12 |
| Hasnat Raza | Win | 4/12/2025 | ADCC Open Oklahoma City | Outside heel hook | 76KG | Finals | 78 |
| Micah Metcalf | Win | 4/12/2025 | ADCC Open Oklahoma City | Points: 13-0 | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 48 |
| Chazz Canas | Win | 4/12/2025 | ADCC Open Oklahoma City | Points: 2-0 | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 18 |
| Levi Thurman | Win | 4/12/2025 | ADCC Open Oklahoma City | Bicep slicer | 76KG | 16 | 12 |
| Daniel Sathler | Win | 2/7/2025 | WNO 26 | Decision | 77KG | — | 246 |
| Alexandre de Jesus | Loss | 12/19/2024 | Karate Combat 51 | Split Decision | Welterweight | — | — |
| Noah McCully | Win | 12/14/2024 | EBI 22 | Armbar | Welterweight | — | 51 |
| Marcin Maciulewicz | Loss | 12/8/2024 | Equinox Jiu-Jitsu | Points: 2-0 | Unknown | — | — |
| Rodrigo Francioni | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Miami | Points: 3-0 | 76KG | Finals | 76 |
| Felipe Schiavon | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Miami | Points: 8-0 | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 47 |
| Adolfo Suarez | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Miami | Toe hold | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 17 |
| Hasnat Raza | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Chicago | Outside heel hook | 83KG | Finals | 76 |
| Jayden Groner | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Chicago | Inside heel hook | 83KG | Semi-Finals | 47 |
| Kevin Sherrill | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Chicago | Armbar | 83KG | Quarter-Finals | 17 |
| Andrew Kauzlaric | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Chicago | Straight ankle lock | 83KG | 16 | 12 |
| Cameron Chaffee | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Phoenix | Walkover | 76KG | Finals | 0 |
| Kris Arrey | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Phoenix | Points: 5-0 | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 47 |
| Andrew Aguayo | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Phoenix | Outside heel hook | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 17 |
| Issa Able | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Phoenix | Points: 5-0 | 76KG | 16 | 12 |
| Diallo Braithwaite | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Orlando | Unknown | 76KG | Finals | 76 |
| Rodrigo Francioni | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Orlando | Points: 3-0 | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 47 |
| Jett Thompson | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Orlando | Walkover | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 0 |
| Ricky Semiglia | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Orlando | Outside heel hook | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 17 |
| Hank Henry | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Orlando | Points: 13-0 | 76KG | 16 | 12 |
| CJ Murdock | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Dallas | Straight ankle lock | 76KG | 3rd Place | 26 |
| Jett Thompson | Loss | 2024 | ADCC Open Dallas | Decision | 76KG | Semi-Finals | — |
| Eliazar Guardiola | Loss | 2024 | ADCC Open Dallas | Armbar | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | — |
| Micah Metcalf | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Dallas | Points: 9-0 | 76KG | 16 | 12 |
| Noah McCully | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Dallas | Points: 2-0 | 76KG | 32 | 9 |
| Carlos Henrique | Loss | 2024 | ADCC Open Florida | Points: 5-0 | 76KG | Finals | — |
| Jino Ciprius | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Florida | Outside heel hook | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 17 |
| Caleb Knepley | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Florida | Unknown | 76KG | 16 | 12 |
| Martin Corvetto | Win | 2024 | ADCC Open Florida | Decision | 76KG | 32 | 9 |
| Max Hanson | Loss | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Points: 5-0 | 77KG | Quarter-Finals | — |
| Bernardo Delibero | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Points: 6-0 | 77KG | 16 | 10 |
| Harrison Woods | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Points: 6-4 | 77KG | 32 | 8 |
| Jerrod Appenzeller | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Points: 11-0 | 77KG | 64 | 5 |
| Jason Hackett | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Outside heel hook | 77KG | 128 | 5 |
| Deandre Corbe | Loss | 2024 | Sapateiro 34 | Inside heel hook | 73KG | Quarter-Finals | — |
| Jett Thompson | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Orlando | Walkover | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 0 |
| Jino Ciprius | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Orlando | Submission | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 16 |
| Caleb Knepley | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Orlando | Submission | 76KG | 16 | 11 |
| Martin Corvetto | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Orlando | Decision | 76KG | 32 | 8 |
| Cameron Hurd | Loss | 2023 | ADCC Open Chicago | Decision | 83KG | Quarter-Finals | — |
| Malikk Belhaj | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Chicago | Outside heel hook | 83KG | 16 | 11 |
| Oliver Taza | Loss | 2023 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Inside heel hook | 77KG | 16 | — |
| Kevin Beuhring | Win | 2023 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Points: 3-2 | 77KG | 32 | 11 |
| Danny Stolfi | Win | 2023 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Points: 7-0 | 77KG | 64 | 5 |
| Stefan Cirillo | Win | 2023 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Triangle | 77KG | 128 | 5 |
| Nate Blundell | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Dallas | Points: 8-0 | 76KG | Finals | 70 |
| Jett Thompson | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Dallas | Rear triangle | 76KG | Semi-Finals | 43 |
| CJ Murdock | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Dallas | Points: 3-0 | 76KG | Quarter-Finals | 16 |
| Aaron Wilson | Win | 2023 | ADCC Open Dallas | Decision | 76KG | 16 | 11 |
| Alejandro Wajner | Loss | 2022 | ADCC Open Las Vegas | Decision | 76KG | 16 | — |
| Brandon Martino | Win | 2022 | ADCC Open Las Vegas | Decision | 76KG | 32 | 8 |
| Kevin Alkhas | Win | 2022 | ADCC Open Las Vegas | Cloverleaf | 76KG | 64 | 5 |
| Jon Calestine | Loss | 2021 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Inside heel hook | 66KG | 32 | — |
| John Vena | Win | 2021 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Triangle | 66KG | 64 | 4 |
| Caleb Vallotton | Win | 2021 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Unknown | 66KG | 128 | 4 |