Ricardo Diogo, also known as “Rey” Diogo was one of the first Carlson Gracie jiu jitsu team representatives to come to the United States where he established his own academy based on his master’s teachings.
Marc Laimon is a renowned grappling coach who holds the rank of black belt in Brazillian jiu jitsu, being also the founder of the Cobra Kai academy. Marc Laimon has worked on the ground games of several MMA fighters, including Bas Rutten, Oleg Tatakrov, Mark Kerr, Johny Hendricks and many others, while producing well known jiu jitsu black belts such as Sim Go and Chris Holdsworth. Marc Laimon was also an instructor on the famous MMA reality show TUF (The Ultimate Fighter).
Fabio Clemente is an historical figure for jiu jitsu in New York (Manhattan), having opened one of the very first BJJ academies in the region, a team that has run successfully since the mid 1990’s. Fabio Clemente earned his black belt under Rigan Machado, and was a member of the Machado Association before he joined the Alliance team in the late 1990′s; He was also responsible for bringing Marcelo Garcia to the US.
Ben Baxter is a jiu jitsu black belt graduated by the iconic Wellington “Megaton” Diaz who trains and competes for the Rafael Lovato Junior academy. Ben is regarded as one of the top competitors in the United States having medalled in many important tournaments
Travis Lutter is a jiu jitsu black belt under Carlos Machado and a former professional MMA fighter, famous for his win of The Ultimate Fighter (season 4) tournament and his run in the UFC’s middleweight division. Before his MMA career, Travis led a very successful grappling one with medals at important tournaments such as the North American ADCC trials and the World Jiu Jitsu Championships.
One of the main people behind the organization of the World Professional Jiu Jitsu Cup event, Fernando Paradeda is also a well accomplished jiu jitsu black belt under the legendary Ze Mario Sperry, having been one of the strongest BJJ competitors for Brazilian Top Team in the early 2000′s.
Considered at one point as the number 2 ranked fighter in MMA’s middleweight division, Paulo Filho is also a BJJ black belt under the late Master Carlson Gracie and one of the most talented fighters of his generation. Sadly, Paulo Filho (a former world jiu jitsu champion) fell victim to depression at the peak of his career, a problem that would damage his career and cause it to end prematurely.
A great martial artis and true competitor, Fernando “Boi” Marques was one of the best heavyweight grapplers of his generation having won a world title in jiu jitsu back in 2001. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Master André Pederneiras , Fernando Marques is also an accomplished freestyle and Greco roman wrestler, having won national titles and been a part of the Brazilian national wrestling squad for the Pan Americans as well as a former full contact kickboxer.
André “Dedeco” Almeida is an American Top Team representative and the founder of Best Way BJJ. A 4th degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu under Ricardo Liborio, and one of the most respected instructors in the sport, Dedeco has graduated several great competitors of the sport such as Rafael Formiga, Leandro Escobar and Michael DeLuca.
Dustin “Clean” Denes is an American grappler who holds victories over big names in the sport such as Jeff Monson, Raphael Abi Rihan and Marcelo Garcia. A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Marcus “Connan” Silveira, Dustin Denes spent a long time of his life competing and training inBrazilwith masters such as Ricardo De La Riva and Murilo Bustamante.
One of the founding members of the Brazilian Top Team academy, Bebeo Duarte is also a highly decorated black belt in Jiu Jitsu, having won important tournaments such as the Mundial (World BJJ Championships) and the Pan American. This Carlson Gracie black belt is also a manager for many important MMA fighters, such as Alexandre “Cacareco”.
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.
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.
This charismatic black belt from the Alliance Jiu Jitsu team has medalled in some of the world’s most Important competitions such as the Mundial, the European Open and the Pan American, he is also an important figure for BJJ in the country of Ecuador where he resides and where has established an Alliance affiliate academy.
Carlos Henrique is a 5th degree black belt under master Francisco Mansor who has medalled in important tournaments such as the International Masters & Seniors, the Pan American & the Brasileiro (Brazilian Nationals). Carlos Henrique is also one of the leaders of the Brazil 021 team, an important team that has raised champions such as Hanette Staack.
A BJJ and Judo black belt, Louzado has medalled in most important BJJ tournaments around the world with or without the kimono (Nogi). A black belt from the Checkmat team, Marcel has established himself in the US from where he runs one of the main Checkmat branches in the country.
an ADCC open weight champion (2003), Dean Lister is amongst the elite of Submission Wrestling. With a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and experience in Wrestling, the Russian martial art of Sambo and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Lister became one of the most sought out grappling coaches in MMA.
Fabio “Pateta” Prado is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Marcelo Clemente from the famous Gracie Ilha BJJ camp. Since moving to the United States, “Pateta” has established himself as one of the main grappling coaches in the country, having worked with several professional athletes, namely MMA superstar Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez at [...]
Paulo Tarcisio Jardim is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Leonardo Vieira, having fought for important teams such as Nine Nine and Checkmat in his competitive career. A regular medallist in BJJ events throughout the world, one of Tarcisio’s big moments arrived in 2011 as he closed the finals of the Brazilian National Championship [...]
Leonardo Nogueira is one of the many aces from Alliance’s Jiu Jitsu camp. A BJJ black belt under Fabio Gurgel, Mr Leo Nogueira has an extensive competitive record with many important trophies on his cabinet, his first big mark in the black belt division came as he won a gold medal at the Brazilian Nationals in the open weight division (2011).
