by Joe Gilpin
ADCC has announced that former heavyweight world champion Orlando Sanchez will be joining the 2024 ADCC Hall of Fame class.
Orlando Sanchez, “Big O”, has been announced as the newest member of the ADCC Hall of Fame’s 2024 Class. The former ADCC World Champion will be posthumously inducted during the 2024 ADCC World Championships at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Aug. 17 and 18. He leaves a legacy of physically imposing performances on the mat, and a brash, fan-favorite personality off the mat.
Orlando is a 2-time ADCC world finalist, winning in 2015 in the +99kg division while representing Gracie Barra. Throughout his career, he was known for his power, aggression, pit bull-like attitude, and grit. Orlando passed away in December of 2022, and is survived by his wife and 3 children.
He joins an illustrious 2024 class that includes Vinny Magalhaes, Fabricio Werdum, Jacare Souza, Jean Jacques Machado, and Xande Ribeiro
