Leonardo Castello Branco (Brasa)

Leonardo Castello Branco is a legendary Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Master Pinduka. He was one of the most important figures of BJJ in the late 1990’s with fights that are still regarded today as some of the most important battles in BJJ’s history. He was also an important figure in Alliance’s team and in the break-up that preceded the birth of the Brasa team, a team he presided for many years.

Leo Castello Branco in Detail

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Fernando “Pinduka” > Leonardo Castello Branco

Main Achievements:

• World Champion (1999 – closed brackets with team mate)
• World Silver Medallist (1996)

Weight Division: Pesadíssimo (over 100kg-221lbs)

Team/Association: Brasa

Leonardo Castello Branco Biography

Leonardo Castello Branco was born in 1967 in Brazil. He was graduated as a black belt by a true Jiu Jitsu legend, Fernando Guimaraes “Pinduka”, though he became a famous fighter competing for Romero Cavalcanti’s Alliance. He competed against some of the best fighters in the world such as Murilo Bustamante (in one of the most celebrated fights of the 1990’s) and he handed Ricardo Liborio his first competitive loss in 1993 (at the brown belt division). His fight with Liborio was also very talked about amongst the BJJ media circuit, mainly because of Carlson Gracie’s (Liborio’s coach) words before the fight: “He (Leonardo) will tap in less then a minute”.

Leonardo also tried his luck at MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) in the late 1990’s. His debut was in 1997, straight away with an MMA Legend, Igor Vovchanchyn. The fight lasted a gruelling 35 minutes with no breaks and was declared a draw.

Castello Branco was the first fighter to abandon ship when trouble hit the Alliance team at the turn of the century. He was not happy with the team’s direction at the time and decided to leave on his own. shortly after several other fighters followed him, figures like: Demian Maia, Leo Vieira, Ricardo Vieira, Ratinho and many others. He would become one of the leading figures in the creation of the Brasa Team.

Castello Branco’s Academy
Though Professor Leonardo does not teach full time, his academy (in Rio) is as follows.
Address: Academia Victory Rua Conde de Baependi, 71. Laranjeiras – Rio de Janeiro / RJ
E-mail: itallovilardo@yahoo.com.br
Official page: www.itallovilardo.com