The Checkmat Jiu Jitsu team is one of the fastest rising teams in the BJJ world. Since their launch in 2008, Checkmat has steadily established itself as one of the main Jiu Jitsu academies on the planet, having medalled in the top grappling tournaments at black belt level, such as the Worlds (Mundial), the European Open and many others.
John Frankl is a martial artist with a background in several different styles including Karate, Kuk Sool Won, Serrada Eskrima and Thai boxing (Muay Thai). Frankl is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Roberto Maia and a pioneer in bringing the sport of BJJ to South Korea having opened possibly the very first legitimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in the country (in 1999).
Alessandro Capodeferro is the leader of the “Escola Bragantina de Jiu Jitsu” an affiliate of the Barbosa Jiu Jitsu team in Bragança Paulista (State of Sao Paulo). Capodeferro is an instructor and a competitor having achieved podium spots at several important tournaments such as the Sao Paulo State Championship and the World Cup.
Gabriel Rainho, also known as “Biel” is a Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt from the Grappling Fight Team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This Master Julio Cesar Pereira black belt is one of the top featherweights from the famed GFT having won the the Rio de Janeiro State Championships and the Brazilian National numerous times.
The Nova Geração Jiu Jitsu academy has been led by Francisco “Toco” Albuquerque for several years and is one of the most respected and prestigious BJJ gyms in Rio de Janeiro, having spawned numerous grappling starlets including big names such as Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu and Alexandre “Pulga”.
Thiago Rogerio dos Santos is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under André “Negão” Terencio and one of the main instructors at the Brasil 021 team. Though Thiago is an instructor at Brasil 021, he also competes having achieved some important titles such as the Niteroi state championship and a bronze medal at the New York Open.
Am accomplished Jiu Jitsu fighter in the Super Featherweight division, Bobadilla has won numerous important tournaments including the World Cup on 3 occasions, making him one of the main figures in the Grappling Fight Team camp.
Dennis Asche is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Roberto Correa AKA “Gordo” and an instructor at the Gordo Evolve academy. An American citizen, Dennis Asche has transformed his life due to BJJ, having lived extensively in Brazil and adopting the South American country as his second home.
Jose Junior is an accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who managed to slip under the radar of many BJJ enthusiasts until he submitted one of BJJ’s top players, Bernardo Faria, on the World Pro Jiu Jitsu Cup tournament in 2011. A student of master Juarez Soares for many years, Jose Junior moved to the United Arab Emirates to be part of the BJJ schooling program there, where he became a grappling coach.
Raoni Barcelos is a Wrestler and a top level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under 7th degree coral belt, Laerte Barcelos (his father). Training Jiu Jitsu since he was 2 years old, Raoni Barcelos has stacked up many important titles, including 4 world titles in the lower belts; he is also a successful Freestyle Wrestler having important titles such as a Freestyle National title.
Italo Lins is one of the top up and coming Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters in the world. Lins is a black belt under GFT Master, Julio Cesar Pereira, being part of a very talented generation of fighters from the Grappling Fight Team camp of which Igor Silva, Rodolfo Vieira and Jake Mackenzie and many others are a part of.
Antonio de Melo is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Masters Robson Gracie and Geraldo Gonçalves Flores who is currently part of the Brazil 021 team, a team led by the legendary Hanette Staack, Andre Terencio and Carlos Henrique. Melo has been a BJJ black belt since 1993, having medalled in important tournaments such as the LINJJI and the International Masters & Seniors IBJJF competition.
Ricardo Evangelista is a top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under master Julio Cesar from the Grappling Fight Team (GFT) and one of the best super heavyweights in BJJ having won several important tournaments at the top level such as the Brazilian Nationals and the Rio Open.
Detailed results of all the fights in the 2011 edition of the ADCC, the world’s most prestigious Submission Grappling tournament in the world. The 2011 ADCC was held in Nottingham England and brought to the English town the elite grapplers of the world who competed for the top spot and the cash prize that came with it.
James Brasco is an elite Wrestler and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Pablo Popovitch. Brasco has defeated several big names in the grappling scene, such as Clark Gracie, Gunnar Nelson, Steve Gable and many others.
One of the strongest competitors to have come out of the new Gracie generation, Clark Gracie is a Jiu Jitsu black belt having been taught by both his father, Carley Gracie, and Rodrigo Medeiros from the BJJ Revolution team, with whom Clark Gracie has trained for most of his competitive career.
Eduardo Monteiro is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Guilherme “Caju” Rocha from Gracie Fortaleza and a strong competitor in the North-East region of Brazil. Eduardo was named “Fighter to Watch for 2010” by BJJ website Meia Guarda for his competitive achievements.
Alexandre “Baiano” dos Santos is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under master Neury Gomes, he is also a Pan Pac’s medallist belonging to the famous Cia Paulista team. In 2010 he moved to Australia to help Carlos Vieira run Paulista’s ever growing franchise in the region.
Rodrigo Cabral was the man commissioned to develop Alliance’s Jiu Jitsu prowess in Russia. This Rio de Janeiro native (also known as “Brucutu”) has left his sunny Brazil to travel to Easter Europe, and establish the first Alliance franchise in the land of Sambo. BJJ Heroes caught up with Rodrigo to discuss this exciting enterprise.
Simpson “Sim” Go was the first Mark Laimon student to be awarded the grade of black belt in Jiu Jitsu. A multiple time Grapplers Quest champion, Sim Go rapidly became a big name in the Las Vegas grappling circuit, later becoming an instructor at the prestigious Cobra Kai gym, one of the biggest Nogi (BJJ without the gi) schools in the country.
