The second half of 2025 was special for Jiu-Jitsu professor Leo Gosling, from Gracie Barra Davie. The black belt secured three consecutive titles in both the ultra-heavyweight and absolute divisions. This feat took place at IBJJF Opens in Tampa, New Jersey, and New York, in addition to two runner-up finishes in Atlanta. Leo also became a world champion under the PBJJF federation, consolidating one of the best seasons of his career.

“The absolute final at the Tampa Open was one of the highlights of this journey,” analyzes Gosling. “I faced the great athlete Tarsis de Paula, leader of Elementum Jiu-Jitsu. With deep emotional control and positive visualization, I entered the mats confident and executed exactly the plan I had practiced—a result of a period of great technical and psychological evolution.”

Leo highlights that this performance was only possible thanks to intense training sessions with his master, black belt Rafael Gordinho. “Those training sessions were fundamental for refining my game and strategies. I also want to highlight the daily partnership with Rodrigo ‘Beiço’ Rosa, whose pace and experience were essential in preparation, as well as my partnership of over 15 years with strength and conditioning coach Henrique Brum. The strength training I learned from Brum had a great impact on my recent results.”

Leo ends the year at a high level and remains confident in his pursuit of the IBJJF World title in 2026. We took advantage of the athlete’s great momentum to conduct a revealing interview about the pillars of consistency in competitive Jiu-Jitsu. Check it out below!

GRACIEMAG: How do you emotionally handle the result of a fight or competition?
I view the result very objectively. Victory or defeat doesn’t define who I am, but they show where I am at that moment. When I win, I keep my feet on the ground. When I lose, I perform a cold analysis: what worked, what didn’t work, and what needs to be adjusted. I use a lot of mental control, positive self-talk, and visualization. This helps me flip the switch quickly and stay focused on the next battle without carrying frustration or excessive euphoria.

After a streak of achievements, do you do anything special to stay motivated and avoid complacency?
Yes. I shift the focus from the result to the process. New goals, technical adjustments, small details in the game, and different challenges in training. Also, remembering where I came from and the difficulties I faced keeps me humble and hungry. Victory is not a finish line; it’s just another step.

Injuries can compromise a winning streak, right? How do you shield your body and health?
Injuries are rarely just bad luck. Of course, the risk exists, but I work hard to reduce it. I listen to my body, do strengthening exercises, specific physical preparation, proper recovery, and I know when to take it easy. Training smart is just as important as training hard. Returning home in one piece is part of the long-term strategy.

What tips would you give to someone going through a losing streak?
First: don’t confuse results with personal value. Second: go back to basics. Adjust your fundamentals, routine, diet, rest, and mindset. Often, a defeat is a request for adjustment, not for quitting. And most importantly, surround yourself with people and professors who are honest with you, not just motivational.

When you win a lot, your game becomes predictable. How do you deal with that?
By constantly evolving. I never stick to a single path. Even with a strong game, I am always developing variations, different entries, and new responses. The goal isn’t to hide your game, but to always be one step ahead. Those who only study what you do today will arrive late tomorrow.

Professor Chris Savarese promotes student Sean Bermudez to black belt. Photo: Personal archive

At GMA Savarese BJJ in Lyndhurst, NJ, a special promotion happened on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Professor Chris Savarese promoted his long-time student and kids coach Sean Bermudez to black belt.

The planned event hosted 200 students, friends and family at the new location of the academy at 40 Park Ave. There were other promotions that night as well– plenty of blues, purples and browns alike. Professor Brian Longs earned his first degree from Professor Savarese and Sean earned his black belt after eight and a half years of training under Chris.

In fact, Sean was his second student ever.

Of the promotion Sean writes: “For me, earning my black belt from Sav means I get to represent his philosophies and thoughts on BJJ forever. All of the hard work, sweat and blood added up to the proudest moment of my life. Even more than the day I earned the title of United States Marine. It shows that you do not have to be a world class athlete to reach your goals, as long as you never quit. I have had hard times through the years but I always knew that I could do it.”

The respect goes both ways as Sav himself notes the importance of this promotion. He writes: “It was my honor to put the belt around Sean’s waist last night. Sean came to me as kind of a lost kid 9 years ago and I have watched him grow tremendously on and off the mat. He literally became a man in our academy. He is an example for all my students to follow, proving that you can do anything you put your mind to through hard work. I couldn’t be happier and more proud of a student.”

Learn more about Savarese BJJ at www.njbjj.com

When a surgery for his elbow highlighted blockages in his arteries, Professor Chris Savarese of GMA Savarese BJJ underwent heart surgery. On the mend, he speaks with a series called “Driving it Home,” to discuss his recovery and beyond.

He talks about his journey to the black belt, and the old school generation that garnered a mental toughness that isn’t seen as much now. The older generation is where the knowledge is, Savarese believes, and that if you’re a new practitioner and you’re not looking into this information, you’re missing out.

Check out the full interview below:

Learn more about Chris Savarese and GMA Savarese BJJ at www.njbjj.com

Almeida demonstrates how to defend against various strikes such as roundhouse kick, overhand punch, thai clinch, push kick and some takedowns to use that put you in charge of the fight.

Check it out:

Osvaldo “Queixinho” will be across the country for the 2014 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship on Sept. 27 but in the meantime he will be teaching some seminars around the area. The Caio Terra Association member boasts competition results around the world and countless hours of teaching.

You can expect to see him in Lyndhurst, NJ at Sub Force BJJ on Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. The cost for the seminar can be found when you reserve your spot by emailing showtheart@gmail.com. Sub Force BJJ is located at 718 Ridge Rd. Lyndhurst, NJ 07071.

On the following day, Sept. 26, he will be teaching in Brookfield, CT at Soul Fighters. The seminar will begin at 7:30 p.m. and run until 9:30 p.m. The cost is a nice $40 per person. To reserve your spot for this seminar, call (203) 628-8096. Soul Fighters is located at 20 Old Gray Bridge Rd. Brookfield, CT.

Romulo Barral of GMA Gracie Barra Northridge will be in Saddle Brook, New Jersey on August 15 for a seminar. The 2013 ADCC champion and four-time black belt world champion will be in town to teach his proven techniques.

The location of the seminar will be at Silver Fox BJJ located at 380 Market Street Saddle Brook, NJ 07663.

The event will run from 6 – 8:30 p.m. and the cost will be $75 per person.

Reserve your spot by calling 201-398-6032

On Wednesday July 10, Rafael Lovato Jr. traveled to New Jersey to GMA Savarese BJJ. He taught the kids class a seminar which included a throw, a technique to get to mount and a submission if the person defends the mount.

On the following night, Lovato held a seminar for the adults in which he taught his most effective techniques to over fifty students.

While in town, Lovato promoted Professor Savarese to second degree black belt.

To learn more about Savarese BJJ in Lyndhurst, NJ visit www.njbjj.com

GMA members Andre Terencio and Hannette Staack of Brazil-021 will be busy this summer at a women’s camp in Princeton, NJ from July 8 -13. The Groundswell Grappling Concepts Summer Camp 2014 will host Hannette as one of the instructors alongside Valerie Worthington and Emily Kwok.

Professor Andre Terencio, an IBJJF referee, will teach a seminar with focus on what to do and not do according to the rules on July 8 from 6-9 p.m. It is $70 per person however if any of you women have signed up for the full grappling camp, the seminar is included and therefore free!

The location of the camp and seminar is Princeton BJJ located inside the Princeton YMCA located at 59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton, NJ.

For more information please contact Lola Newsom at lola@groundswellgrappling.com

At GMA Renzo Gracie Newark, Professor Marco Teixeira is teaching valuable lessons to law enforcement officers from all over the nation. Here is an interview with the black belt under Renzo Gracie who speaks about his time with the men and women of these agencies and teaching alongside Master Renzo:

GRACIEMAG: For how long have you been training?

Marco Teixeira: I have been training in the martial arts for over twenty years. I am a Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the legendary Renzo Gracie. Currently am the head instructor at the Renzo Gracie Academy in Newark, NJ.

For how long have you been teaching Jiu-Jitsu to the Law Enforcement Community (SWAT)?

I’ve been teaching for over ten years of police tactical training with numerous Law Enforcement Agencies, including Austin Texas SWAT, New Jersey State Police. I have taught dozens of other officers from the states of Texas and New York at their respective SWAT conferences over the past 10 years.

Tell us a little bit about this opportunity to teach Jiu- Jitsu to the Law Enforcement Community (SWAT)?

In my opinion, training these brave young men and women to keep themselves and the members of their community safe was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I want to take the opportunity to promote the art of Jiu-Jitsu for all members of the law enforcement community. A substantial number of my students are members of the law enforcement community. I have had the honor of training Federal Air Marshals, F.B.I. special agents, D.E.A. special agents, New Jersey State Troopers, and numerous local officers from many different states.

And how was the experience to teach Jiu-Jitsu to the Law Enforcement Community (SWAT) together with Renzo Gracie ?

It was amazing! Recently, I had the honor of traveling to the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association’s 2014 SWAT conference in Houston, TX. It was truly a humbling and rewarding experience to be able to teach and train with my master, Renzo Gracie. It was incredibly surreal to learn and share such an experience with Master Renzo and the various members of the Texas Law Enforcement Community.
To do it alongside one of my heroes made the experience even better. We even had a visit from special guest Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes.

In your opinion , what’s the importance of teaching Jiu-Jitsu to the Law Enforcement Community?

It’s very important. Jiu-Jitsu is easy to learn, you do not have to be athletic, and it is incredibly effective in self defense. Due to the fact that an estimated 65 to 85 percent of altercations end up going to the ground, Jiu-Jitsu is a vital tool.In addition, due to the high occurrence of injury, it is the only martial art where you may train at 100% resistance in every class. Training in the art also has incredible physical fitness and mental strength benefits.

Leave a message to the Jiu-Jitsu and Law Enforcement Community.

I would like to thank all the Jiu-Jitsu and Law Enforcement Community and also thank Master Renzo for the contributions he has made to the world of Jiu-Jitsu and the martial arts, as well as his selfless dedication to the members of the Law Enforcement Community. I would also like to that the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association for giving me the opportunity to train and learn from some of the most dedicated Officers I have ever met.

To learn more about Marco Teixeira and his training at Renzo Gracie Newark, please visit www.renzogracienewark.com

What makes this drill effective is that both drilling partners can practice back and forth. Check out the video:

Learn more about Savarese BJJ Academy at www.njbjj.com

Ailson “Jucao” Henrique Brites received his fifth degree on his black belt. Photo: Personal Archive

On Sunday, Dec. 8 Equipe Jucao celebrated Professor Ailson “Jucão” Henrique Brites promotion as he was awarded his fifth degree on his black belt by the IBJJF at the Equipe Jucao All-School Seminar and Dinner.

This marks Jucao as New York City’s only fifth degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu!

Glover Teixeira (pictured applying submission) will face Ryan Bader in Brazil. Photo via UFC.

The champ wants a Brazilian, and his name is Glover Teixeira.

UFC 205-pound champ Jon Jones told UFC boss Dana White that he wants his next challenge to be rising Brazilian star Glover Teixeira and the UFC is happy to oblige him for February 2014.

“That’s what the champ wants,” White told ESPN.com. “We’ll probably have that fight on the Super Bowl card in New Jersey.”

With Teixeira getting the nod to fight Jones, this all but eliminates Alexander Gustaffson’s chances for an immediate rematch. Gustafsson fought Jones in a highly contested match that saw the champ take on more damage than he’s ever sustained since he started his career. The unanimous decision for Jones was met with heavy backlash on the internet from people who thought Gustafsson should have won a decision.

Teixeira is undefeated in the UFC, winning five in row since coming to the organization and 20 overall. However, none of Teixeira’s five octagon wins have come over top 10 opponents.

GRACIEMAG.com will have more on this card as information becomes available.