Master Sérgio Ignacio began his career in Rio de Janeiro, at his father’s private security firm. His father was an honorable Air Force lieutenant and former boxer and mixed martial arts fighter in Belém, Pará.

Sérgio quickly learned that the streets presented unpredictable scenarios, with physical confrontations and high-risk incidents where success was never guaranteed. Therefore, he sought something more reliable than weapons and wiser than luck: knowledge.

Instructed by some of the most prepared and experienced instructors in all fields, Master Sérgio Ignacio became an encyclopedia of techniques, tactical and strategic defense knowledge, after decades of firsthand experiences that can now help people during complex police operations or in situations as commonplace as a night on the subway.

The renowned police commissioner, now an active coral belt Jiu-Jitsu instructor in Florida, has experienced numerous high-risk situations, such as in 2016 when he nearly lost his life in an operation in the alleys of Vila Cruzeiro, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, after a grenade bounced and landed between his feet. He survived the shrapnel thanks to the teachings he had learned, combined with the composure he possessed under maximum pressure, a quality honed on the streets and on the mats.

“It wasn’t my time,” reflects the master, who has become a solid bridge between martial arts and public and private security. Looking back on his career, Sérgio Ignacio reflects:

“I am an experienced police officer, and if I have survived this far, it is thanks to the excellent instructors and training partners I have had since the 1980s. What I learned in active service, I make a point of passing on in BJJ Defense classes, a course for the benefit of martial arts instructors and teachers, public and private security agents, and people of all ages in civil society. A self-respecting instructor wants their students to be better than they were, and that’s how I always try to teach. As a friend says: I don’t save money, I’m going to save knowledge?”

Master Sérgio began Jiu-Jitsu in the early 1980s, brought by his friend Renzo Gracie, and was one of the first students of the renowned Gracie Barra team. He was Renzo’s training partner and accompanied him in several MMA fights in the United States and Japan.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the study of combat arts provided him with invaluable resources and technical details that saved him from countless close calls as a police officer. He went on to teach and shape the vision of thousands of good police officers in Rio de Janeiro.

Over the years, he also distinguished himself in the private security sector, participating in national and international events, providing security for celebrities, authorities, and the general public.

Just another day in the office for master Sérgio

It is this practical experience, tested in real-life situations, that he seeks to transmit through his teaching system called BJJ Defense in academies around the world, from police department mats to Jiu-Jitsu schools in Florida, Rio, and New York, across all flags and teams.

BJJ Defense instruction takes place in training sessions of a few hours or in segmented seminars divided into modules, depending on the demand of those interested. The courses have already served academies, public security forces, the private sector, Jiu-Jitsu instructors seeking specialization, and civil society in general, in schools such as Renzo Gracie Upper West Side, run by Professor Luca Atalla, and Ralph Gracie, run by Professor Regis Calixto.

* Check out scenes from one of the BJJ Defense courses in New York:

The Jiu-Jitsu master also explained how he adapted and condensed everything he experienced while actively practicing. After all, Sérgio Ignacio has accumulated specializations in various courses and training programs, and developed and implemented the most renowned tactical courses for civil police officers in Rio de Janeiro, such as the Special Tactical Operations Course (COTE) of the Special Resources Coordination of the Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CORE).

“The BJJ Defense system is a bridge between classic self-defense and the perceived needs of the contemporary world. Nothing that works is discarded in my courses, where I try to make as many connections as possible with real life. The philosophy of what I teach is to offer the maximum resources for professionals or citizens to avoid any confrontation. By distancing themselves from the problem, they will have a better chance of returning home safely. There can always be unforeseen events on the streets, the result can be unexpected, but training increases our chances of victory or survival,” analyzed the master, who also worked as private security for the Brazilian headquarters in five Olympic Games, in Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, London and Rio.

“There’s a well-known protocol in the US that teaches how to act in the face of imminent crises and attacks, whose motto is ‘if possible, avoid confrontation: Run or hide; if not possible, fight.’ What BJJ Defense instruction seeks to convey, in a practical and objective way, is how to use the Technique-Tactics-Strategy tripod to increase your chances of success in a difficult moment,” summarized Master Sérgio Ignacio.

For the police officer and instructor, the real dynamics of events will show us what is necessary and possible to do – sometimes even to have the opportunity to escape or hide, it may be inevitable to have to fight. After all, victims under threat need to find ways out and solutions in the blink of an eye, and for this to be done efficiently, experience and technical knowledge are necessary. Through training, students develop not only physical reaction capabilities, but also essential attributes such as reaction time, proper positioning, perception of the scenario, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.

And is Jiu-Jitsu focused on self-defense compatible with training for competition, in the master’s view?

“Of course it is,” assures Sérgio. “And the proof of that is my own son, my first black belt. Daniel is trained in both areas. I took him from white belt to black belt with all aspects of BJJ involved, and always with the guidance and participation of Renzo Gracie. He even underwent periodic knowledge exams at every belt promotion. We always respect the maturation time at each stage, but we mainly demand technical knowledge in all areas. That’s how you train a complete black belt instructor.”

As a purple belt, at first Gracie Barra school, in the 1980s.

Those who had the opportunity to study and learn from the master never tire of praising his teaching methods and system. Such is the case of police chief and former Rio de Janeiro civil police secretary Marcus Vinícius:

“Sérgio Ignacio is one of the best civil police officers in the history of Rio de Janeiro. His rare ability to combine and multiply his operational, tactical, and technical knowledge made him a reference for me, as well as for thousands of police officers in Rio. I was fortunate to have him as a teacher at the police academy and had the pleasure of accompanying him on numerous street operations. I believe that some of his most valuable qualities, such as discipline, hierarchy, and calmness, he brings from a lifetime dedicated to the sport on the mats, as well as from training and police operations.”

Sérgio, his son Daniel and master Renzo Gracie in NY

Or as his friend Renzo Gracie, MMA champion, summarized: “The reason I became the champion I am was because I trained daily with him since my blue belt. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from this master.”

* For more information, visit BJJDefense.com or contact BJJ Defense by email:

bjjdefense1@gmail.com.

* And follow master Sérgio Ignacio on Instagram, here.

≥≥≥≥ Below, check out some testimonials about Master Sergio Ignacio’s work:

* Renzo Gracie

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Master

“Sérgio Ignacio is today one of the ten greatest experts in self-defense techniques on the planet, for a simple reason: his technical arsenal manages to be efficient inside a ring, an alley, or a moving car. The reason I became the champion I am was because I trained daily with him since blue belt. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from this master.”

* Victor César dos Santos

Federal Police Chief and Secretary of Public Security for the State of Rio

“Sérgio Ignacio’s work in the area of ​​training and capacity building was a turning point for the civil police, regarding the deployment and reorganization of special operations units. He participated in the creation of the Special Resources Coordination, CORE, and its subdivisions. His experience as a Jiu-Jitsu instructor, combined with the various courses he took around the world, helped public safety by promoting greater efficiency and effectiveness in the techniques used in operations. His teachings helped preserve the lives of generations of police officers and prevented countless incidents of collateral damage during operations in extremely high-risk areas in Rio.”

* Rodrigo Oliveira

BJJ black belt, veteran police chief and one of the longest-serving coordinators of CORE in Rio

“As a police officer and instructor, Sérgio Ignacio is an exceptional master. Unconditional loyalty, rare technical ability, and a willingness to work rarely seen throughout my career. I remember with great pride the inauguration of CORE Jiu-Jitsu, an association at the headquarters of the Special Resources Coordination of the Rio police, an achievement of his, on an afternoon with the presence of the great master Robson Gracie. As a black belt, he always followed the philosophy ‘Anytime, in any weather, and anywhere’. I am very proud to have served alongside him.”

Daniel Mérola Ignacio, 25, grew up on a mat. Son of black belt and famous referee Sérgio Ignacio, he was raised in the traditions of the Gracie family, and was accompanied from his earliest training by his godfather, Renzo Gracie.

It was Master Renzo who guided him throughout his entire training — from the loose kimono he wore as a child to the black belt he earned with merit and honor.

More than a disciplined and technical athlete, Daniel found his true calling in teaching. From a young age, he began leading classes and seminars, with emphasis on his work with women and children, where he combines sensitivity, clarity and confidence. He believes that Jiu-Jitsu can be a powerful tool for personal transformation — today, his greatest goal is to make this transformation accessible to everyone.

In addition to teaching at gyms for a variety of audiences, Daniel has a unique role in the area of ​​training focused on security and self-defense. He studied Business Administration, balancing his studies with training, classes and seminars, and is now a partner in one of the most respected security training companies in Brazil.

On a daily basis, he instructs private and public security professionals, helping them with the technical, physical and emotional development necessary for their roles. He is also a guest instructor at institutions such as the Special Resources Coordination of the Civil Police (Core), the Army Paratroopers group and Acadepol, the training academy of the Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

In one of the most complex urban contexts in Latin America, his contribution is recognized by colleagues and authorities as a rare differential for someone his age.

Daniel’s trajectory in competitive Jiu-Jitsu is marked by significant achievements that demonstrate his excellence. In 2022, he was the Brazilian No-Gi vice-champion by the IBJJF. The following year, he won the gold medal in the black belt heavyweight division at an international CBJJO event. Also in 2023, he was champion of the “King of Rio”, a tournament promoted by FJJ-Rio, the first Jiu-Jitsu federation in the world. In 2024, he won the Rio International Open No-Gi championship in the black belt super heavyweight division, promoted by IBJJF.

These achievements are always combined with hard work inside and outside his company. But, according to him, these are just a few steps on his path. The next steps? Taking his knowledge to new frontiers — inside and outside Brazil.

GRACIEMAG: Do you still remember how you took your first steps in the kimono?

DANIEL IGNACIO: I can barely remember my first day on the mat; it’s as if I had always been there. I feel that Jiu-Jitsu has been present in my life since day one, because I was blessed to have a father who always put the ideals of Jiu-Jitsu as a model of education to guide me inside and outside the academy. My early contact with Jiu-Jitsu is due to my father, Sérgio Ignacio, and my godfather, Renzo Gracie. When I was around 3 years old, I started judo, and soon after I moved on to Jiu-Jitsu — and then also to wrestling. Wrestling is so popular in the United States, and I lived there during my childhood, so it is also a fight that is part of my trajectory.

How did that passion for Jiu-Jitsu prevail?

I always knew that Jiu-Jitsu was my greatest passion. I grew up on the mat and in a family-run security training company, where we used Jiu-Jitsu to teach self-defense. In addition to having the encouragement and inspiration of my father and godfather, I was lucky enough to have a mother who always went out of her way to take me to and be present at all training sessions, fights and competitions from a very young age. Without her dedication and love, it would have been impossible.

How did you feel when you became a black belt?

My journey to black belt was long. From white belt to black belt, it took over 16 years of walking. The evaluations for changing belts always followed a rigorous process: the first step was to be actively training Jiu-Jitsu; then, I had to know all the techniques corresponding to my belt at the time, as described in the book by Renzo and Royler Gracie – a book where the techniques are separated by belt. I also studied the contents of the book by the great master Helio Gracie on Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense. With this knowledge consolidated and having already completed the appropriate time, I went through a technical and performance evaluation in which I had to defeat more senior and bigger opponents to earn the next belt. Since my father and godfather Renzo always encouraged me to participate in the best seminars and train with some of the best in the world, my evolution never stopped.

And how was your phase as a brown belt, about to receive the black belt?

At that stage, I chose to compete in the CBJJ Brazilian Championship while still a brown belt, to end that stage in the best possible way. I ended up winning silver medal and the title of Brazilian vice-champion. After that, I traveled to the Renzo Gracie academy in New York, where I spent a month training intensely. I owe much of who I am and what I believe in to my father and Renzo. I couldn’t be more grateful for, as we say, having learned straight from the source. I was extremely privileged to have access to so many influential names in the Gracie lineage from an early age, and I made sure to take advantage of every opportunity that was given to me. After that month, I finally “graduated” as a black belt. It was a remarkable day, full of emotion, in which I realized how worthwhile each stage of the journey was. It is not an easy path, much less a quick one; it teaches the value of perseverance and patience. There is no shortcut to becoming a black belt, the only way is to never give up.

And what about your work focused on public and private security?

Our company has been in business for over 35 years. This legacy has been passed down from my grandfather to my father, and from my father to me. The company’s motto is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life and intend to pass on to my future children: “Fight and win!” It’s a short phrase but full of meaning. Giving up is not an option. In addition to the technical knowledge of self-defense and Jiu-Jitsu, we try to convey this message every day: the path is tough, but through struggle comes triumph — and it’s this belief that drives us forwards. Today, I have been practicing Jiu-Jitsu for almost 20 years, which seems like a lifetime. However, I know that this journey is just beginning.

What have you learned as a competitor?

In the championships, I learned a lot about self-control and how to deal with my emotions — whether they were good or frustrating. I learned how my mind and thoughts control my body and the decisions I need to make in milliseconds. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if there were hundreds of hours of training, weight training and good nutrition — your mind needs to be focused, calm and positive, or it’s over. Jiu-Jitsu teaches us to respect our opponents before anything else, because arrogance is the fastest way to defeat — and the truth is that we can learn from everyone. It doesn’t matter the color of the belt, the age or the weight: everyone can have something to teach us. It’s amazing how much I learn teaching young children — whether about Jiu-Jitsu or about the worldview.

What is your approach when teaching Jiu-Jitsu to children?

I love teaching children, they have a lightness, purity, and a special outlook on life. I try to bring a little of their positivity into my personal life. At this stage of life, they are like sponges and absorb everything we go through, so we need to be careful about what we say and how we can help build their self-esteem and self-confidence. The approach with little boys and girls has to be subtle. Jiu-Jitsu is introduced in a light and fun way. It can’t be a boring class with extremely technical movements. It is a balance between technique and leisure time. Therefore, children’s training must be fun, but disciplined. We want children to have fun, but we also want them to learn respect, discipline, and self-defense. Understanding that Jiu-Jitsu is a form of defense and not attack is essential.

Medal received for contribution to police education, in Rio de Janeiro.

What is the main goal of teachers who deal with such young students?

Our team always seeks to teach the importance of boys and girls being self-confident and, at the same time, humble. We teach them to keep their distance from problems and to deal with them with determination and with their heads held high. Many children are there because they want to learn or because they have suffered some kind of trauma. At this age, Jiu-Jitsu is important to create a secure, fearless, confident child with good self-esteem, in control, prepared and respectful. Jiu-Jitsu, therefore, is essential to prevent bullying, both to prevent it from happening and to prevent the child from being a target of it. We work on this a lot with the children, teaching them all the necessary techniques so that they are able to defend themselves.

Where did you learn to teach kids?

To convey all of this in a light and pleasant way, we use several different techniques and methods. I acquired much of this knowledge in a special course for BJJ instructors taught by Master Leão Teixeira, a national reference in teaching Jiu-Jitsu to children. It was in this course that I had the opportunity to teach and increase my experience with them. Today, I already meet teenage students who I taught a few years ago, when they were children, and they are very grateful for how I was able to participate in their personal development. I can’t wait to see, in a few years, that my work has led to the development of better adults, with character and confidence.

What was the greatest lesson in overcoming adversity that you learned in Jiu-Jitsu?

There was a tournament I competed in where I had been sleeping very badly for days, in the hospital, with my wife admitted. Then, I tore an ankle ligament in the first few minutes of the fight. My body was exhausted, my mind was very worried about her health, and I had not trained for weeks due to various personal issues. Furthermore, fighting with a torn ligament is excruciatingly painful. Even so, I did not give up and ended up submitting my opponent, taking the gold medal to the hospital. These moments show you that the Jiu-Jitsu we learned from the Gracie family goes far beyond fighting — it is a life lesson. Because, in life, we will almost never have the ideal conditions to achieve anything. We have to work with what we have, do our best and believe that it will be enough. This tenacity and determination are what change someone’s life — it is what defines the type of life they will have.

Have you seen Jiu-Jitsu change the lives of young people with problems?

I have students who have truly changed their lives thanks to training. They left behind drugs, excessive drinking, and harmful influences that were holding them back. They started to believe in their own potential, to make better choices, to have discipline and routine — and this took them to places they never imagined they could reach. These life changes that I witness every day, through Jiu-Jitsu, are certainly what impacts and motivates me on this path.

When did you discover your calling to teach?

Since I was 12 years old, when I would go to the training company where I work today to accompany my father to his classes. That’s how my grandfather taught him, and he taught me. My father is a natural teacher, and I was always amazed to see how easy it seemed for him to speak to so many people and to build a clear line of reasoning, so that everyone could follow and assimilate. Like my father, I believe that I have always had a calling to teach and help; I have always had the patience and clarity to guide my students’ progress. But what I have learned over time is that when we master a subject, have the humility to learn even more about it, and teach with love and attention, we can become good teachers. After a few years of being forged within the company as an assistant, I started teaching officially in 2019, when I already felt more ready and prepared. Since then, I have done everything to be the best teacher possible.

Daniel Ignacio and his special silver medal at Brasileiro da CBJJ. Photos: GRACIEMAG

What does it take to be an effective BJJ instructor?

I believe that teaching is closely linked to empathy: knowing how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand how they will receive the message you want to convey. Each student has a different story, cultural, family and personal context. Teaching requires connecting with students and understanding their needs in order to understand the best way to deliver the message. The language, the level of difficulty, the demands, and many other aspects of teaching adapt according to the type of student on the other side. Understanding this was essential to give a good class and be understood. Classes for laypeople, for police professionals, for children, men or women: all have their own specificities and deserve specific care.

What are your self-defense classes for women like?

Unfortunately, we live in a sexist world, where women always have to fight harder to feel heard, respected and, most importantly, safe. Jiu-Jitsu, for almost a hundred years, has always proven to be an excellent tool for giving women some of the self-confidence and security that society takes away every day. It is something I recommend to all women I know, of all ages. Knowing how to defend yourself is essential for all of us, but especially for women, who are often targets of barbaric crimes, both inside and outside the home. For my specialization, I went to the reference for women’s Jiu-Jitsu, the Gracie Kore school of champion Kyra Gracie, a renowned black belt with books on the subject. Kyra has made it her main mission to bring Jiu-Jitsu knowledge to women in a way that they feel quite comfortable and safe absorbing it. I took a professional course in teaching Jiu-Jitsu to women, using the Gracie Kore methodology, where I learned a lot about how to conduct classes in a way that makes women feel valued, respected and confident. I learned there how to create a comfortable and inclusive environment for everyone on the mat.

Have you ever taught female police officers? What is that experience like?

Yes, I had the opportunity to teach Jiu-Jitsu techniques applied to women’s self-defense at the Civil Police Sports Center in Rio de Janeiro. In this class, we had female police officers and also the “Empoderadas” group, a sensational group that fights violence against women, very inspiring and necessary. It was a great experience, where I was able to teach strong women how to have more ways to defend themselves. I intend to continue learning a lot in this area, since I really want to help women in the best way possible. As a man, I understand that there are nuances in women’s lives that I don’t experience firsthand, so it’s important to listen in order to understand.

How important is Jiu-Jitsu for the security forces, in Rio or in the world?

Training agents goes far beyond simply being technically ready for a conflict. Thanks to Jiu-Jitsu, agents are shaped with self-control and self-confidence, capable of dealing with real situations calmly, clearly and ethically. My greatest responsibility is to make these professionals better trained, so that they can protect themselves and the population. This training is both technical and mental. A good security professional, trained in Jiu-Jitsu, can transform a potentially lethal situation into a non-lethal one, saving and sparing the lives of others. A police officer trained in Jiu-Jitsu, in many situations, does not need to use a firearm to defend himself, which offers security that goes beyond carrying a weapon. Thus, Jiu-Jitsu can be used to prevent the escalation of conflicts, where, through technical control, we can protect both the security agent and the citizen. All of our training is adapted to the realistic environment of the public or private security forces for which we are offering this training.

How does your knowledge of real-life situations help your results as a fighter in sports Jiu-Jitsu?

I like to fight forward, always looking to takedown and submit. My preparation routine involves always training and being active, whether it’s with heavy training, drills, weight training or teaching classes. A good fighter must always be ready and prepared. Ever since I got my brown belt, I’ve been focusing on Jiu-Jitsu without a Gi, or “No-Gi” abroad. I saw a greater similarity there with our daily lives and with self-defense, since we don’t have the Gi to hold on to and control is much more difficult. I believe that every Jiu-Jitsu practitioner should test themselves in an official competition at least once. We discover a lot about ourselves when we’re on the mat, in the middle of an arena full of opponents. We learn to deal with pressure in a different way. Our mindset should be to always want to evolve and learn, to always be prepared for combat, and to know how to deal with victory as well as defeat. The main thing is to feel trained and always learning. This gives you a sense of accomplishment before the fight begins, and this feeling is more than essential to winning. Without it, you are already defeated.

What are your goals today as a teacher?

When we breathe Jiu-Jitsu, we learn that our discipline is not just a sport; it is a lifestyle. Today, I don’t think about training athletes to win championships. I want to build strong and confident people who, through Jiu-Jitsu, achieve a better life and become better people. I want to combine my academic background in Business Administration from IBMEC, my command of the English language and my knowledge of self-defense to work globally. I want to develop educational programs, help expand Jiu-Jitsu around the world and train students with the principles and values ​​I believe in. And, with all this, I want to continue to be active in high-level competitions, because I learn and evolve a lot in each one. I hope to be able to inspire others, just as many veterans have inspired me to be who I am. Thank you very much to everyone for the opportunity.

Daniel among his father and his godfather Renzo, at Renzo Gracie Academy in New York. Photos: Personal Archives

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

Claudio Calasans (no shirt) was fourth place in ADCC 2011, in England, in the up to 77kg division. Photo: John Lamonica

Monday, April 15 was the last day of registration for the ADCC 2013 trial, which will be held next Saturday at Maracanazinho, in Rio de Janeiro.

Athletes interested in fighting must access the event’s official website, www.adccbrazil.com.br.

The champions go to the main event in Beijing in October, wi

Black belts Rousimar Toquinho and Murilo Bustamante paid a visit to a project where Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts are used as tools for rehabbing criminals in Rio de Janeiro (Praetorian brand publicity photo).

Ever since November of 2011, Complexo Penitenciário Genicinó, a penitentiary complex located in the Bangu neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro City, has been a testing ground for an efficient tool for prisoner rehabilitation—Jiu-Jitsu.

According to an article printed in Brazil’s O Globo newspaper (in Portuguese), over the years the measure has proven successful in the compound, now the largest prison in Latin America, with 18,000 detainees.

To be allowed to frequent the Jiu-Jitsu, boxing and Thai boxing academies on the prison grounds, prisoners have to be studying at the on-site schools, undergo rigorous medicals and, most importantly, not do anything that could go on their record as bad behavior or a transgression over the course of their sentence.

In the Jiu-Jitsu room at Bangu 4 prison, Mioses Julio Bormac, the subsecretary for prisoner treatment and a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, sets an example by himself rolling with convicts—ex-drug dealers, thieves, among others.

“These guys will one day be back on the street. If we don’t provide them with opportunities, it’ll be all the worse for society. They’ll be all the more perverse when they walk out these doors,” the subsecretary says in the article. “I don’t see martial arts as being a stimulus for aggression, but as a philosophy of self-defense and conduct. So far, we haven’t had a single incident involving the detainees. We’re more likely to see a brawl happen during soccer games in the jail yard than during martial arts class,” Moises illustrates.

Teaching Jiu-Jitsu class is the responsibility of Alan Freitas, a black belt from Carlson Gracie academy, and is backed by the likes of Master Sylvio Behring and the Pretorian brand of martial arts gear.

“I’ve been criticized for teaching them Jiu-Jitsu ever since I accepted this challenge,” says Alan. “People think I’m coming here to teach them to fight, providing criminals with weapons. To me Jiu-Jitsu teaches people to change their lives. So long as I have faith in the power of sport, I’ll continue to believe in this work I’m doing.”

Although they were suspicious at the outset, the prison guards have now noted positive changes in the behavior of the prisoners practicing Jiu-Jitsu.

While in Brazil the Shooto MMA promotion has been drawing attention for pitting officers from Rio de Janeiro’s elite police force against professional fighters, in New York the fights are off the hook as well—and with plenty tradition behind them.

For 30 years now, New Yorkers have been watching the annual “Battle of the Badge”, an event where policemen (in blue gloves) and firemen (in red gloves) partake in bouts of boxing to determine which corporation is the region’s toughest.

The commemorative 2012 event will take place November 9at Madison Square Garden. Police or firefighters, whose side are you on?

Now if it would just catch on in MMA…

For further information, visit:

http://fdnyboxing.com/

http://nypdboxing.com/

Bird's eye view of Central Park, where Jiu-Jitsu again saved the day, and two German tourists' vacation. Publicity photo.

Gaston Cavalleri, 32, was poor, got rich when his mom won the lottery back home in England, wrote a book, and even so you’ve probably never heard of him.

Thanks to Jiu-Jitsu, though, Gaston the tourist became the hero of the day in New York last Thursday.

Upon witnessing a purse snatching in Central Park, the Gracie Academy England student intercepted local thief Charles Williams, dragged him to the ground and pinned him there until police arrived on the scene. And the German tourists were pleased as punch to get their possessions back.

Thank you, Gaston. Thank you, Jiu-Jitsu.

But remember, Jiu-Jitsu should only be used as a last resort, as reacting to an assault can be very dangerous.

Check out the original “New York Post article here.

The former UFC champion Tim Sylvia knows what to do when he hang up his gloves.

“I’ll be a full-time police officer when it’s time to stop fighting. And obviously Jiu-Jitsu is the perfect key for police officers”, said Tim, who works in the police once a month in Illinois.

Awarded with a purple belt in October by Peter Silveira, Tim commented on his graduation to GRACIEMAG.com.

“I love this guy (Pedro), he is the brother I never had and always wanted. I’ve learned a lot with him and John Gutta (also purple belt), with whom I’ve been training with for more than two years, at Pat Miletich’s gym. John knows a lot”, said Sylvia.

“For Tim, Jiu-Jitsu is more than a martial art, it’s a life style”, said professor Pedro Silveira. “It’s part of it to be kind with people around us, family, friends and the society. You need to do something important in your life for others. My students understand that, I don’t want them to be merely tough guys. Jiu-Jitsu allows us to improve our lives in every aspect, in every detail.”

“I knew what I was going to do right away and didn’t even think twice about it,” said Hagan to local newspaper The Ledger.

According to the newspaper, it was five in the afternoon when the 21-year-old villain, Michael McCoy Jr., tried to steal a car from a family near a grocery store. With three babies in the back seat, the father reacted, struggling with the assailant, who then ran off to try and steal the car of a 75-year-old man. Hero of the day Josh Hagan witnessed the first robbery attempt and went in pursuit of the young delinquent.

Hagan, who has been practicing Jiu-Jitsu with Brazilian Fabio Novaes for the last five years, sunk the choke hold and put McCoy’s lights out for a few instants, until the police arrived, about five minutes later.

The authorities generally urge people not to react to robberies, but this time the thief, unarmed, was caught by the neck.

Organizing the event has been tasked to lieutenants Marcelo Vinícius, a black belt in taekwondo, and Hallison Pontes, a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Gabriel Vella.

“I was surprised by the number of black belts on the police force; I had no idea. We have dozens, and the folks from the Riot Police haven’t even sent their competitors’ names in yet,” remarked Pontes, 35. “Another interesting tidbit has to do with the ladies. When we announced the championship, initially just for men, the girls were offended. There are a number of girls training, and they’re going to compete too.”

The championship is only for police personnel, and sign-ups end May 17.

Pedro Arrigoni / Photo: personal archive

The importance of practicing Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense by law enforcement officials has been proven once again. Furthermore, it has been proven that not having such knowledge can be downright dangerous in the daily life of a police officer – and may be the difference between success and failure. In more severe cases, between life and death.

A San Francisco, California police officer felt that first hand. He was attacked when approaching a suspect during a routine inspection of a bus. At that very moment, though, instructor Pedro Arrigoni had just left a class.

The suspect already mounted and raining down blows to the police officer’s face, Pedro intervened and took control of the situation, using a choke hold.

“When he was about to pass out, he said: ‘I give up, I give up,’” said Arrigoni, the teacher at AB Mixed Martial Arts.

“I do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Once you have the guy under control, you don’t need to do anything else. I feel the San Francisco police should train Jiu-Jitsu,” said the fighter in local newspaper The San Francisco Examiner.

Jones vs. Shogun, in photo by Dan Rod

Candidate for MMA superhero Jon Jones had his litmus test on Saturday, when he had to make it past Mauricio Shogun to conquer his first belt, at just 23 years of age.

Before the fight, though, Jones had a different mission, which ended up being an unexpected warmup for his bout with Shogun.

Just hours before fighting, Jones had just arrived in the parking lot of a park in Paterson, where he went to meditate with his coaches, when told an elderly couple had been robbed in their car. The fighter followed and quickly passed his coaches in pursuit of the robber, who stumbled and was then, upon making another break for it, was subdued by the new UFC champion and his crew, with his Coach Greg Jackson pinning the delinquent to the ground.

As they got out of the police car, the police officer’s first reaction was: “Whoa, what are you doing here? Aren’t you fighting tonight?” as Jones recounted to laughter at the press conference.

The news made it to the local news, and the news clip was rebroadcast across the USA, to UFC president Dana White’s delight. “All he needs to do now is deliver a baby in the middle of the street on his way home,” joked White.

The bizarre occurrence aside, the adrenaline purged on the occasion contributed to the champion being even more on his toes during the fight, in contrast to Shogun, who was unable to get anything done.