Professors Francis and Marcelo have over 30 years of experience competing and teaching people of all ages and levels.
Both natives of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), they moved to Miami in 2017 to open their first school under Master Rilion Gracie in the City of Doral. After being open just a few months, they were able built an incredible atmosphere across their members and also recognized by the City.
With a strong mindset based on life development they disseminate not only the techniques from Master Rilion’s family but also many life lessons and values.
And in 2022 Prof Marcelo and Prof Francis opened their second school in Fort Lauderdale, FL (Broward) in partnership with Team Soul (Crossfit).
Professors Francis and Marcelo are available for seminars, courses and private classes.
Helping people improve their mental and physical confidence through the traditions and practice of Jiu-Jitsu while influencing their lives in a positive way.
To be the platform for people’s personal, physical, and emotional growth
Fair play, respect for others, and accepting the outcome with grace.
Teaches you to never give up.
Helps you to stick to your goals when things get tough.
Continuing to practice our traditions, we make sure that the beauty and richness of our culture are appreciated and enjoyed by future generations.
Is to listen more than talk.
Being polite without being afraid.
Helps keep you down to earth.
MISSION + VISION + VALUES
It is the cornerstone for every Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, setting the groundwork for their journey. It involves immersing oneself in the core principles of Vision, Mission, and Values, promoting personal, physical, and emotional growth through Jiu-Jitsu while fostering positive influences in one’s life.
INFLUENCE + MINDSET + SELF-DEFENSE + PROGRAMS + BELONG + COMPETITION
In Jiu-Jitsu, growth and development hinge on various factors. These include being a positive influence on those around you, cultivating a resilient mindset, emphasizing self-defense as a vital skill, implementing tailored training programs, fostering a sense of belonging within the Jiu-Jitsu community, and utilizing competition as a means to enhance mental and technical prowess.
Marcelo began his martial arts career at age 15 at Academia Jacaré, and had as his first master Romero “Jacaré”. However, due to the great distance from his house to the academy, he ended up training Jiu-Jitsu with master Luis Claudio Isaias, from Academia Carlson Gracie.
After a few years, Marcelo was training full time with the legendary team at this gym, having as training partners legends of the sport such as Murilo Bustamante, Sérgio Bolão, Amaury Bitteti and Wallid Ismail, and many others who made history in the 90s.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo graduated from UERJ, getting a degree in economics and then going on to work with the stock market, before forging his path as the owner of a company that imports and distributes tiles and flooring.
Today, Marcelo is a 6th degree black belt, having competed and won almost all tournaments he has competed in, among them some state-wide, country-wide, 1 Pan-American, and 1 world championship each as a purple and brown belt respectively. And recently 2021 Pan Am silver medal, 2020 World Champion gold medal.
Having lived in California for a year, Marcelo is fluent in English.
A dedicated family man, he is married and has one son.
Co-founder / Head Professor
5th Degree BJJ Black Belt
3rd Dan Judo Black Belt
Francis, born in 1977 in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a skilled martial artist. He holds a 3rd DAN black belt in Judo under Sensei George Mehdi and a 4th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He learned from some of the best in the business, including masters like Roberto Traven, Alexandre Paiva, Sylvio Behring, Francisco Toco Albuquerque (promoted Francis to Black Belt in BJJ), Muzio De Angelis, and Rilion Gracie.
Francis’s journey into martial arts began at the age of seven, and it turned into a lifelong career. Over 15 years, he taught Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Self-Defense to over 700 students at Sensei Mehdi Dojo in Rio de Janeiro and various Jiu-Jitsu schools in the city, starting when he was a Blue Belt. He also shared his knowledge by conducting Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense courses and seminars across Brazil, North America, Europe, and Canada. Besides that, he organized sports and combat events in the US, Europe, Asia, and Brazil.
He has been competing in Judo and BJJ since he was a kid, in famous arenas in Rio like Atlantico Sul, LINJJI, Rio’s State Championship, and the World Masters, as well as in super fights in North America.
He holds a BA from Universidade Cândido Mendes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), with certifications at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania and University of Maryland and multiple specialties such as design and digital marketing.
He is fluent in Portuguese and English and proficient in Spanish and French. Also a dedicated family man, Francis is married and the father of two children.
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