A very well-respected and long-running academy with a proud tradition of teaching children, Escola de Jiu-Jitsu is headed by 6th degree black belt Jose Henrique ‘Leão’ Teixeira, also know as ‘Ze Beleza’. Teixeira started jiu-jitsu as a student of the Read More

One of the first things people ask when they arrive in Rio (apart from “Where can I get some açai?”) is where they can buy a kimono. If you’re going to train BJJ intensively while you’re in Brazil, then having at two or three BJJ gis in rotation is a must. Read More

If you’re thinking of going to train BJJ in Rio, then you definitely need to read this post from Jeremy Arel. Jeremy lived in Rio for over a year, getting his black belt after teaching and training intensively. If anyone is qualified to give advice on visiting the Cidade Read More

There are many reasons why people waste their time in Rio. Of course, the city has many distractions that can keep you off the mat Read More

The FightZone gym in Copacabana is home to one of the most powerful competition teams in the world, the all-conquering Checkmat. Checkmat is one of the most prolific teams on the competition scene right now, thanks to their massive association of worldwide affiliates and elite Read More

Need to get to the gym? Taxis are expensive and can eat into your budget if you use them regularly. The extensive bus network in Rio is the most popular option for commuters and for anyone who wants to train BJJ in Rio. Buses can get incredibly busy at certain times of the day as Read More

Probably the first thing people will want to know if they’re thinking about a trip to Rio to train BJJ is “Where will I stay? Like any major tourist destination, Rio has many options to visitors but each offer a different experience and suit specific needs. The most Read More

Admit it: you watched City of God and now you’re terrified you’re going to get mugged by a gang of rocket launcher-wielding children in the depths of a favela in Rio. Read More

Wearing team patches while training in Brazil, is it disrespectful or acceptable? Many people ask this before coming to train BJJ in Rio. Read More

Back in the old days, training at multiple academies was very much frowned upon. Attitudes have changed (somewhat) but it’s still a sensitive subject for some. During the boom period of the 80s and 90s, jiu-jitsu in Rio was serious business and team affiliations ran deep – Read More