Tag: jiu-jitsu

Birth Name:	Jonathan Torres
Date of Birth:	September 2nd, 1989
Place of Birth:	Bronx, New York, US.
Nickname:	JT Spiderman
Academy:	Essential Jiu Jitsu
Instructor:	Andre Galvao
Accomplishments:	2x ADCC Champion, IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, 2x Pan Champion
Weight Class:	Lightweight
Team:	Atos Jiu-Jitsu
Rank:	3rd-degree black belt in BJJ

Jonathan “JT” Torres is one of the standout American grapplers from the powerful Atos Jiu Jitsu team. He has been one of the top No-Gi grapplers of the last decade through hard work and determination.

Here is everything you need to know about 2x ADCC champion JT Torres. Detailing how he got started in Jiu Jitsu and how he became a multi time world champion in the sport.

JT Torres’ Early Life

JT Torres grew up in the tri-state area and had a normal life as an American kid. From an early age, he got into martial arts and started learning Karate. 

Before Torres got to the 9th grade, he would earn his Karate black belt. At that point, he had become bored with Karate and began trying to get into organized sports.

Jonathan would try getting into basketball, but he would be cut from his school’s JV team.

JT Torres Discovers Jiu Jitsu

After getting cut from the basketball team, JT was in search of some sort of physical activity to get into. His father initially tried to get him to go back to Karate, but Torres wasn’t interested. 

Instead, JT found out that his old Karate school had started a small Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program. He would return to his old Karate school to try Jiu Jitsu and he was immediately hooked.

In just six months, JT would earn his blue belt. Showing that he clearly had talent and could have a future in competition.

Torres would then move to a bigger gym and begin training under Louis Vintaloro at his gym Performance BJJ. Under Vintaloro, Torres would earn his brown belt in three years and win two Pan championships.

JT Torres Joins Lloyd Irvin’s School

At a tournament, JT would beat BJJ black belt Lloyd Irvin. Impressed with his talent, Irvin would invite Torres to come train with him at his school in Maryland.

JT would accept the offer and begin training at Lloyd Irvin’s school in the late 2000s. By 2009, Torres would earn his black belt from Irvin.

JT Torres Joins Atos Jiu Jitsu

After students of Lloyd Irvin gang raped a female teammate, Torres was part of a mass exodus of the team. He and Keenan Cornelius would move to Andre Galvao’s team Atos Jiu Jitsu in San Diego.

There, JT would elevate his game to become one of the world’s best No-Gi grapplers 

JT Torres Career Highlights

JT Torres has had a decorated grappling career over the last decade. Here are some of the highlights of his athletic career as a black belt.

No-Gi Worlds 2013 

The 2013, No-Gi Worlds event was around the same time that JT had left Lloyd Irvin’s camp. Under Andre Galvao’s guidance, Torres put on one of the best performances of his young career.

At the event, he faced two opponents. He beat Rodrigo Freitas by points in the opening round and then beat Marcelo Mafra by points in the finals. Earning his first world title at black belt. 

2015 European & Pan American Championships 

Before an injury forced Torres to pull out of the 2015 ADCC tournament, he was having a career year. He won the 2015 European Open and the Pan American Championship back to back.

At the European open, JT faced three opponents and dominated them without getting a point scored on him. It would be the same story at the Pan American event, where he beat AJ Agarzam in the finals 10-0.

Torres would nearly pull off the triple crown, but lost to Michael Langhi in the semifinals of the 2015 IBJJF World Championship.

2017 ADCC 

2017 would be one of the biggest years in the career of JT. In his third ADCC appearance, JT would finally get over the hump to win the championship at 77 kg.

He beat Lachlan Giles and Celso Vinicius in the opening rounds. His last two matches would be hard fought wins over Garry Tonon and finally beating rival Lucas Lepri for the championship.

2019 ADCC 

At the 2019 ADCC tournament, Torres would become one of only a few grapplers to repeat as ADCC champion. Beating Ross Nichols and former teammate DJ Jackson in the opening rounds of the tournament.

He would then beat Garry Tonon for the second time in the semifinals and Wagner Rocha in the finals.

2022 ADCC

JT would fail to repeat as ADCC champion for a third time in a row at ADCC 2022. Being upset by underdog PJ Barch from 10th Planet. But he did have one of the best matches of the tournament against Keita Iwamoto. 

JT Torres’ Grappling Game

JT Torres has a well rounded Jiu Jitsu game, but what he is most known for is his wrestling and positional dominance. In his pro grappling career, Torres is known for being a grinder.

He’s most comfortable grappling in matches under a points ruleset. Generally, Torres will get the takedown on hip opponents and stay on top for the remainder of the match.

All of his wins in ADCC have either been battles, where he grinded out his opponents to win by points. 

JT Torres Opens Essential Jiu Jitsu 

In 2016, JT would leave Atos HQ in San Diego and return home to New York to open his own Jiu Jitsu school. That year, Essential Jiu Jitsu Academy would open in White Plains, New York.

The BJJ academy is one of the highest rated schools in the area filled with numerous students. It is also an Atos Jiu Jitsu affiliate school.

What’s Next For JT Torres?

JT Torres has done it all in the No-Gi grappling world. Winning multiple world titles, including to ADCC world titles. 

Today, Torres spends a lot of time running his academy Essential Jiu Jitsu, but he’s still active on the grappling scene. Whenever there’s a big grappling tournament, you can expect JT to be there in the mix to win it all.

• Name: Geovanny Martinez
• Nickname: Freakazoid
• DOB:1987
• Academy: 10th Planet Freaks San Diego
• Affiliation: 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu
• Instructor: Eddie Bravo
• Accomplishments: 3x EBI Invitational Champion: Quintet II Team Championship

Geo Martinez is one of the most prominent members of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. He is one of the world’s most active No-Gi grapplers. As well as being the co-owner of 10th Planet Freaks Jiu Jitsu school with his brother Ritchie Martinez.

Here is everything you need to know about Geo Martinez. Covering his story of how he transitioned from breakdancing to becoming one of the world’s most recognizable Jiu JItsu athletes.

Geo Martinez: The Breakdancer

Before Geovanny “Geo” Martinez stepped onto a Jiu Jitsu mat, he was a dedicated breakdancer. Throughout grade school until his early twenties, his life revolved around breakdancing.

Geo and his brother Ritchie Martinez had their own dance crew and they would spend their days dancing in parks. They would routinely battle other crews to see who was the better dancer.

How Geo Martinez Discovered Jiu Jitsu

Martinez did not begin his Jiu Jitsu training until 2011, when he was 24 years old. He was asked to give private lessons to Ryan Ford’s son at the 10th Planet school in Vista, California.

In exchange for giving breakdancing lessons to Ryan’s son, Geo was offered to train at the gym for free. He immediately got hooked on the training and began training under Sean Bollinger at the school.

What Geo realized is that the 10th Planet style of Jiu Jitsu and his breakdancing ability meshed incredibly well. Martinez was able to use his balance and flexibility to get good at the martial art rather quickly.

His brother, Ritchie Martinez would also begin training and both would quickly make names for themselves.

Geo Martinez Begins Winning Local Tournaments

Not too long after Geo started training, he would begin competing at local tournaments around California. His strength and body awareness allowed him to beat more experienced grapplers. Even at the lower ranks, Martinez started to get some attention on the local scene.

Geo Martinez Begins Training Under Eddie Bravo

In just two years of Jiu Jitsu training, Geo would earn his purple belt and begin training under  Eddie Bravo. He was already learning the martial art at a rapid pace, but his learning went into overdrive training under Bravo.

Martinez would learn all of the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu techniques and even develop some of his own techniques. By early 2014, Geo earned his brown belt and then his black belt from Eddie Bravo shortly after that.

Geo Martinez’s Competition Career

Geo’s career as a black belt competitor started in 2014. From that time, he has had some incredible performances in his career. Here are some of the most notable moments of Geo Martinez’s grappling career.

2014 ADCC West Coast Trials 

The first major tournament where Geo Martinez made an impact was the 2014 ADCC US West Coast Trials event. He came in as an unknown 10th Planet student and left a future grappling start. 

At the ADCC qualifying tournament, Martinez would meet four opponents and submit his four opponents. Submitting his first opponent by RNC, the second by calf slicer, third by kimura, and the fourth by darce. 

Punching his ticket to his first ADCC tournament that took place in 2015. He would win his first two matches in his ADCC debut and then lose in the semifinals and the bronze medal match.

EBI Invitational 1 

Geo would represent 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in the inaugural Eddie Bravo Invitational Tournament. The first tournament would crown the first EBI Featherweight Champion.

Martinez would make easy work of his first opponent with a heel hook in the first minutes of the match. He would then hit the patented 10th Planet technique, the twister in his second round matchup. 

Following up those two submissions with calf slicer off the truck position, which Geo is an expert at. This would set up a finals match between Geo and darce master Jeff Glover.

The two would have a back and forth match that would go to EBI overtime. In the overtime, Martinez would win the match by holding Glover’s back for a longer period of time. Becoming the very first EBI Featherweight Champion.

EBI Invitational 2 

Martinez would come back to the next EBI event to repeat as champion. He put on another dominant performance en route to winning his second EBI championship.

This time, Geo would win all four of his matches by submission. An RNC, a heel hook, and two patented calf slicers in the last two rounds of the tournament. Winning his second EBI title in style.

EBI Invitational 10 

Two years later, Geo would make another EBI appearance. This time competing in the 135 lb division and he actually was not the favorite at the tournament.

Instead, the favorite to win the tournament was Danaher Death Squad original Eddie Cummings. The fans were excited to see if the two would meet in the finals and they didn’t disappoint.

After easily going through their opponents, the two would meet in the finals. In the match, Martinez had Cummings game scouted and defended his foot locks. Their match would go to overtime, where Geo would come on top to win his third EBI title.

Quintet II

At Quintet II, Geo Martinez was part of team 10th Planet in the team Jiu Jitsu tournament. Team 10th Planet would win the tournament, but Geo would have the performance of the tournament.

In the round between 10th Planet and Kazushi Sakuraba’s team, Ritchie Martinez was beaten by Haisam Rida. Geo would face Rida next and before he took the mat, Eddie Bravo told him to avenge his brother.

Rida outweighed Martinez by over 80 lbs, but Martinez would put on one of his greatest Jiu Jitsu performances. Catching Haisam’s neck and submitting him with a guillotine choke that brought the crowd to their feet.

Geo Martinez’s Jiu Jitsu Style

The Jiu Jitsu style of Geo Martinez is all his own. His breakdancing ability mixed with the unorthodox nature of the 10th Planet system seemed to be a perfect combination. 

Geo’s incredible flexibility, mixed with his balance, strength, and body awareness makes him a handful to deal with. His guard is incredibly dangerous and not many grapplers have been able to pass his guard.

He and his brother Ritchie have released numerous BJJ instructionals demonstrating their unique games from their guard to the truck position.

Geo & Ritchie Martinez Open 

Soon after Geo and Ritchie Martinez earned their Jiu Jitsu black belts from Eddie Bravo, they would open their own academy. The brothers would return home to San Diego and open their own 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu school. 

Their school would be called 10th Planet Freaks and is one of the top No-Gi schools in the city. Which is saying something since San Diego is one of the world’s mechas for Jiu Jitsu schools.

10th Planet San Diego What’s the Future for Geo Martinez?

Geo Martinez has already accomplished numerous accolades in his Jiu Jitsu career and won a lot of big matches. But Marinez is a competitor and is always striving to get better.

At 35, Martinez still isn’t slowing down and is still competing in grappling events around the world. Don’t be surprised to see him win more big matches in the future.

The neck crank is a nasty submission that is absolutely miserable to get caught in. It’s a technique we don’t see often, but when you do, it makes headlines.

Here is everything you need to know about the neck crank submission. Going over different neck crank techniques and important Tips for locking it in.

Who Created the Neck Crank

Nobody can be created for inventing the neck crank as it’s been used ever since people have been grappling. In modern day fighting it is primarily used within catch wrestling and MMA.

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu gyms like 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu schools. It’s quite normal to see neck cranks used in MMA from the back.

One of the more famous neck cranks was when Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Conor McGregor. At first, people thought it was an RNC, but Khabib had his arm over Conor’s chin.

He would apply immense force on Conor’s chin and neck to force the tap.

How Does the Neck Crank Work? 

How a neck crank works is pretty straight forward. You isolate the head and neck of your opponent and force their head to move at an angle.

A human neck is not sturdy enough to withstand the force of a neck crank. If you keep applying pressure to your opponent’s neck, forcing it to an unnatural angle, they will eventually submit.

It’s not a submission you want to try and fight out of. Whenever you get put in a neck crank, always tap early to avoid any serious injuries.

The Legality of a Neck Crank

Within MMA, all neck crank submissions are allowed. Under most BJJ federations, forms of this submission are not allowed. 

This also includes spinal locks. Although neck cranks are allowed under ADCC rule sets, they’re rarely used in competition.

The Can Opener Neck Crank 

One of the simplest neck cranks to pull off is the can opener. A submission made famous by Mark Coleman, who used it during the 2000 Pride GP.

The submission is also one of the very few submissions that is done with an opponent’s guard.

Locking in the submission is pretty straightforward and is only done in two steps. In your opponent’s guard clinch their head with both hands and pull their chin to their chest.

When you pull the opponent’s head, do it with force to put more pressure on their neck.

The Twister

The submission made famous by Eddie Bravo called the twister is a mixture of neck crank and spinal lock. Here is the basic version of how to lock in the twister.

Let’s say you already have the back of your opponent. Take one leg hook out and triangle your legs to control one of your opponent’s legs which is called a lockdown.

Next control your opponent’s at their and dive your far arm under the controlled arm. After clearing the arm, take an S grip on your opponent’s head and pull it towards you.

Neck Crank From Back Control

The most common neck crank in MMA is from the back mount. When a fighter is attempting to lock in an RNC, their opponent will defend by tucking their chin.

Since neck cranks are legal in MMA, the fighter will then transfer to a neck crank. All they will do is connect their hands, put their forearm in the chin, and turn their head at an angle.

When the fighter puts on the neck crank, they use as much force as possible to force the tap.

https://youtu.be/p3qI6rjTYK

Neck Crank From Side Control

Neck cranks are even open when you have side control on an opponent. Here is a simple neck crank setup from the position.

You’re holding a traditional side control with your chest on your opponent’s chest. There’s two different options to hit the neck crank.

The first option is to reach across your opponent’s body and palm their far arm with your inside arm. Next, your other arm slides under your opponent’s neck towards your arm and grab your wrist.

Or you can just slide your hand under your opponent’s head and control them at their armpit. Either setup you use, the finish is the same for both techniques.

Drive forward to force your opponent’s nose to touch their chin to get the submission.

Crucifix Neck Crank

The crucifix position offers great control and a lot of different finishing options. One of which is a nasty neck crank.

From the crucifix position, your legs are controlling one of your opponent’s arms and kimura control on the other. You’re going to switch the kimura grip to a deep hook on their arm.

Now that you’re in position, all you do is keep turning and drive forward to put on the pressure.

Catch Wrestling Neck Cranks

In catch wrestling, there are various nasty neck cranks that get taught within the martial art. Here is a wide variety of effective catch wrestling neck cranks that you can use.

Neck Crank From Turtle Position

The first catch wrestling neck crank that we’ll go over starts when your opponent is in turtle position. It’s very similar to the neck crank from the back mount.

Keeping on the side of your opponent, your arm goes across their chin and you take an S-grip. Your head then attaches to the back of your opponent’s head to close space and you crank.

To make it more miserable you can keep turning your opponent. Opening them up for you to take a figure four control on their leg and flatten them out on their stomach.

The Neck Snapper

The neck snapper neck crank setup starts with a chin control on your opponent with them on their knees. You initially try to hook their arm to turn them over, but they defend it.

Instead, you’re going to cup the back of their tricep and pull it up. This creates space between them and the mat that you’re going to put your head in and turn.

As you go through the gap, you’re going to use the chin control to force your opponent to turn with you. You’re going to keep turning until you come on top in side control.

To finish the crank, sit-through, and walk forward until your opponent submits.

The Scarf Hold Choke/Neck Crank

In an old Metamoris match, Josh Barnett submitted Dean Lister with a scarf hold choke/neck crank combination. Here is how to do this old catch wrestling technique.

When you’re in side control, you’re going to hold a scarf hold style side control. In BJJ/Judo, they call kesa gatame position.

To hold this type of side control, you need three points of control. Chest on chest connection along with controlling your opponent’s arm and head.

You’re also going to have to close the gap between your opponent’s head and your leg. To do that, bring your leg closer to their head, and grab your thigh with your hand under their head.

Next, push your opponent’s arm across their chest to put them in position for the choke/crank. Connect your hands with an S-grip and loop your hands to make the grip tighter.

To finish the submission, pull their head to their chest to lock in the pressure for the tap.

Important Tips for Locking in the Neck Crank

Neck cranks are pretty straightforward submissions, but there are a few important tips to remember. Here are tips to remember when locking in a neck crank.

• Head Control: You can’t put on a neck crank without proper head control. You may think you need to control the neck due to the submission name, but it’s always head control.
• Close Space: For all neck cranks, you have to close the space around your opponent’s head/neck. Any free space will allow them to escape the submission.
• Head To Chest: For neck cranks, where you force your opponent’ head down, aim to put their head to their chest.
• Use Force: There’s no other way to finish neck cranks than to put force behind it. Whichever neck crank you attempt, you must force immense pressure on your opponent’s neck.

Kurt Osiander is one of the favorite cult figures in BJJ. His wild caveman look, brash attitude, and passion for Jiu Jitsu has gained him numerous fans.

Here is what you need to know about one of Jiu Jitsu’s wildmen Kurt Osiander. Going over his entire journey through BJJ and how he’s overcome adversity to continue doing what he loves.

Kurt Osiander’s Early Life

Kurt is a native of the Bay Area in California and spent his entire life living there. From an early age, Kurt was no stranger to work. 

He came from a blue collar family that would get up early and work. Like his family, Osiander would have various early morning jobs from a paper route to construction jobs as a teen to adult.

This work ethic would come in handy later when he would discover Jiu Jitsu

Kurt Osiander Discovers Jiu Jitsu

When Kurt Osiander was a teen, he was friends with Cesar Gracie. He wouldn’t see Cesar for years after high school since the young Gracie enlisted in the Marines. Then after his stint in the Marines, Cesar went to Brazil to learn the family craft.

Upon returning to California, he ran into his old friend Kurt. He caught Kurt up on his journey down to Brazil to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Osiander had never heard of BJJ and was intrigued, so he asked Cesar to show him a move. Cesar would lock on an RNC and  Kurt instantly wanted to learn Jiu Jitsu.

Kurt Osiander Learns Under Ralph Gracie

After training for a short time with Cesar Gracie, until Cesar’s cousin Ralph arrived in the US. Ralph would open Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Osiander’s hometown of San Francisco.

Kurt Osiander would be one of Ralph’s first and most loyal students. Being part of Ralph’s first generation of US students, he was extremely hard on Kurt and his teammates.

Ralph was extremely intense in his younger days and always did things with a certain ferocity and old school mindset. This was also the age of gym storming when people wanted to test the effectiveness of Jiu Jitsu. 

For that reason, Ralph kept his students ready. It wasn’t uncommon for Kurt or one of his teammates to fight a challenger that came into the gym.

Kurt’s Commitment to BJJ

Every day, Osiander would work a construction job during the day for hours and then train all night. He kept up this routine for years until Ralph awarded him with his black belt.

From then on, Ralph offered Kurt Osiander a coaching position at the gym. He would coach at the school for over two decades and was beloved by all of the students.

Kurt’s Competition Career

During the 2000s, Kurt would be at his most active competing in Jiu Jitsu. His biggest accomplishments are winning the Pan Championship in the masters divisions six times from 2003 to 2013.

Also for a two year stint, Kurt would also venture into competing in MMA. Competing from 2007 to 2008 and earning a record of 4-1. All four of his wins were by stoppages in the first round.

Kurt Osiander Teaching Philosophy

Learning under Ralph Gracie, Kurt Osiander developed an old school mentality towards teaching Jiu Jitsu. Stressing the importance of fundamentals on his students while being tough on them.

He believes in the 10,000 hour rule, which he followed to develop his Jiu Jitsu technique. Not just put in 10,000 hours, but train hard to improve your ability.

When his students are training, he demands 100% and wants them to treat it like they’re in a fight. Even stressing to his students to go for the kill whenever they roll against him in training.

When questioned about his training methods, Kurt stated that “when you train snakes, you sometimes get bit.”

Kurt Osiander’s Move of the Week 

What Kurt Osiander is most famous for is his hit Youtube channel. Kurt Osiander’s Move of the Week.

For the last decade, Osiander has consistently uploaded videos of various Jiu Jitsu techniques. Subscribers of his channel enjoy Kurt’s no nonsense presentation of the techniques.

Giving blunt profanity laced commentary on the techniques presented. Often saying things like “you f****ed a long time ago” when asked about being stuck in a bad position.

As of now, Osiander has around 90k subscribers and is uploading more videos after his health scare.

Kurt Osiander on Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown 

Kurt Osiander was featured on an episode of the late Anthony Bourdain’s show. Episode six of season four covered Osiander’s home in the bay area.

This episode was filmed right when Bourdain was getting into Jiu Jitsu. He chose to cover the California Bay Area for the sole purpose of training with Kurt at Ralph Gracie’s school.

The two would train together all week as Bourdain covered a few of the many stories within the city.

Kurt Osiander’s Hard Times

Unfortunately for Kurt, he has fallen on some hard times over the last few years. Everything from losing his teaching position to nearly losing his life from a health scare.

Kurt Leaves Ralph Gracie Academy 

In 2018, after 25 years at Ralph Gracie’s academy, Osiander would shockingly leave the school. During his departure there were a lot of rumors about why Osiander was fired.

In his version of the story, Kurt claims he was fired by Joao Filipe “Jerry” Oliveira that ran day to day operations. Adding that Jerry fired Kurt’s friend Jake Scovel while he was away on a seminar.

A Reddit user named fickledeedo that claimed to train around them semi corroborated Kurt’s version of the story. Claiming Oliveira fired both Kurt and Jake and implemented his own professors to teach in their place.

This Reddit user also claimed that Ralph Gracie was selling the school to Gracie Barra. A Rumor that was proven false after Ralph assaulted GB co-head Flavio Almeida.

Ralph in an Instagram post claimed that Kurt left on his own accord to start his own academy.

Kurt would start his own academy (Empire Jiu-Jitsu) after the departure and continue doing his move of the week videos occasionally.

Kurt’s Health Issues

While trying to keep his school afloat during the pandemic, Kurt would have some life threatening health scares. Friends had not heard from Kurt for a week and feared that he had gone missing.

What had happened was Kurt had fallen into a diabetic shock. For a week, Osiander would drift in and out of consciousness.

Too weak to stand and could only crawl to his bathroom faucet to drink water. After a while, he was finally able to reach his phone to call for help.

Osiander would be rushed to the ER, where he found out that he had type 2 diabetes and an abscess on his kidney. The abscess was removed and he had fluid drained from his body.

But when Kurt returned home, he had to go back to the hospital due to an infection from the catheter. Then while he was in the hospital for a second time his home was burglarized.

The BJJ Community Rallies to Help Kurt

When members of the BJJ community heard Kurt Osiander needed help, they immediately jumped into action. A go fund me was created for Kurt and nearly $70k was raised for Kurt from people all over the world.

The Resurgence of Kurt Osiander 

Today, Kurt’s health is better, but he is still trying to get back on his feet from his health issues and bad luck. He’s now teaching Jiu Jitsu at Lamorinda Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing, while also doing instructional videos once again.

What’s the Future Hold For Kurt Osiander?

Since recovering from his health scare, Kurt is back doing what he loves. Osiander is now teaching at Lamorinda Jiu-Jitsu & Kickboxing Academy in Lafayette, California. He is also still regularly uploading videos to his Youtube channel.

• Name: Marcelo Garcia
• Nickname: Marcelinho
• DOB: January 17th, 1983
• Academy: Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy
• Affiliation: Alliance
• Instructor: Fabio Gurgel
• Championships: 4x ADCC Champion, 5x IBJJF Champion

In BJJ, there’s a short list that almost unanimously believes is an all time great and Marcelo Garcia is on it. Not only was Marcelo one of the best BJJ athletes of all time, but he changed the game as an innovator.

Here is the full story on Marcelo Garcia and how he became one of the most beloved figures in Jiu Jitsu. Going over his start in martial arts and how he was driven to become the greatest of all time.

Marcelo Garcia’s Start in Martial Arts

Marcelo grew up in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais within the city of Formiga. As a kid, Garcia loved action movies. He loved watching action stars that were also martial artists like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.

This love of action movies would help encourage him to pursue learning martial arts. His first entry into martial arts was when he was eight years old.

Garcia would first start learning Karate at a local school and train diligently for the next four years of his life.

Marcelo Garcia Begins Learning Judo and Jiu Jitsu 

After a stint learning Karate, Marcelo Garcia would begin questioning the practicality of the martial art. He wasn’t sure the rigid movements of Karate would actually be effective in actual self defense situations.

This would lead Marcelo to stop learning martial arts for a year until his friend invited him to try Judo. This invitation would reignite Garcia’s passion for martial arts as he saw how effective Judo was.

He would become one of instructor Fabiano de Souza’s most dedicated students. Never missing a class and was always on the mat learning.

One day, Marcelo found out that his instructor Souza also practiced Jiu Jitsu. Since Formiga was a small town, Marcelo had never been exposed to BJJ.

His Judo instructor would invite him to travel to the neighboring city of Divinopolis to a Jiu Jitsu school. The initial trip would change Marcelo’s life.

Marcelo Changes His Focus To Jiu Jitsu 

When Marcelo Garcia went to his first Jiu Jitsu class, he was enthralled with the training. He loved that the fight in Jiu Jitsu took place primarily on the ground and enjoyed rolling.

Way more than in Judo, where they would do more technical drilling from the feet. Garcia instantly knew he wanted to train BJJ. From then on, Marcelo would make trips with Souza to this gym that was run by Iran Brasileiro.

After averaging 3 BJJ classes a week for a few months, Marcelo would compete in his first competition. It would be a losing effort, but only motivated Garcia to work harder.

Since Marcelo was low on resources for BJJ living in a small town, he would begin collecting BJJ magazines. Studying the techniques within them and training with the training partners he had.

Marcelo’s Journeys

Before Marcelo Garcia made a plan to move to a bigger Jiu Jitsu school, he would travel to compete in Sao Paulo. He met black belt Paulo Rezende and they became friends.

Rezende was impressed by his ability and made him an offer to live and train at his academy in Poco de Caldas. Garcia was sixteen during this time and needed the blessing from his parents. They approved and Marcelo began his journey into BJJ full time.

He would dedicate his life to his training. Participating in four classes a day and cleaning the mats. Every weekend he would travel around the country competing in various BJJ tournaments.

At one in particular in Rio de Janeiro, Garcia would meet his future wife named Tatiana. She was working at a tournament and helped Marcelo get in after an issue with his entrance fee.

Marcelo Garcia Joins Alliance

When Marcelo was a brown belt, Tatiana convinced Marcelo that he needed to move to Sao Paulo. Moving there to take an offer from Fernando Terere from him to be an assistant coach at his gym.

The move was a difficult one as Garcia made little to no money and had to rent a home far from the gym. After struggling for a while, Alliance leader Fabio Gurgel came to Marcelo with another offer.

Gurgel offered Garcia an assistant coaching position at the Alliance HQ and to train directly under him. This would be the move that changed Marcelo’s life. He would then begin becoming one of the greatest BJJ athletes of all time.

Marcelo Garcia’s IBJJF Championships 

In Marcelo’s career, he won 5 IBJJF World Championships in 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, and his last in 2011. Here are the highlights of each one.

2004 IBJJF Championship 

The 2004 was actually Marcelo’s second world event at black belt. He would place second a year prior, losing to Ferando Terere, who had left Alliance to start his own academy.

Garcia would compete in the 82 kg division and beat Flavio Serafim and Cassio Werneck to win his first world title.

2006 IBJJF Championship 

Two years later in 2006, Marcelo would win his second IBJJF world title. This time, Garcia would beat future legends of the sport in route to winning the championship.

Beating Unity JJ leader Murilo Santana in the quarter finals and Andre Galvao in the finals. He would also beat Robert Drysdale in the opening round of the absolute division before losing to Roger Gracie.

2009 IBJJF Championship 

After not competing in the IBJJF worlds event for three years, Marcelo would make his return in 2009. In route to his third world title, Garcia would defeat all of his opponents without getting a point scored on him.

2010 IBJJF Championship 

Marcelo would repeat as world champion and earn his fourth title overall in 2010. Once again pitching a shutout in his division to win the title in dominant fashion.

2011 IBJJF Championship

2011 would be the final year that Marcelo would compete in Jiu Jitsu. He ended his career on a high note to win his fifth world title, his third in three consecutive years. 

Marcelo Garcia’s ADCC Championships

Where Marcelo Garcia gained his legendary status was through his matches at ADCC. Entering his first tournament as an unknown and later becoming one of the greatest of all time.

ADCC 2003 Champion 

In 2003, Garcia entered his first ADCC tournament as a brown belt. He actually lost in the Brazil qualifier, but got to compete due to an injury.

Garcia shocked everyone at the tournament by dominating legends of the sport. Beating Renzo Gracie 9-0 and putting world champion Vitor Shaolin to sleep in the semifinals. When he beat Otto Olsen in the finals, everyone now knew who Marcelo Garcia was.`

ADCC 2005 Champion 

Two years later, Marcelo would return to the ADCC tournament to defend his title. He came into the tournament at the top of his game and put on another show.

Walking through Chris Brennan, submitting Shinya Aoki, a decision win over Leo Santos. In the finals, Marcelo would beat Pablo Popovitch by wrist lock to win his 2nd ADCC title.

ADCC 2007 Champion 

Marcelo would become the first ever three time champion in the history of the ADCC in 2007. This time, he would submit everyone in the 77 kg division to win his third world title. Also earning second place in the absolute division.

ADCC 2011 Champion

2011 would mark Marcelo’s last year of competing in the ADCC and he went out a champion. Once again submitting everyone in the 77 kg division to win his fourth and final ADCC title.

Marcelo the Giant Killer

Marcelo Garcia’s runs to earn 4 ADCC championships were spectacular. But what helped make Marcelo a legend was his performances in the absolute divisions.

Garcia feared no opponent and would take anyone on, no matter how much bigger they were than him. He got the Jiu Jitsu world buzzing at ADCC in 2003 when he submitted Mike Van Arsdale with ease. Then losing a competitive match to ADCC champion Marcio Cruz.

In 2005, the crowd was on the edge of their seats to see how Marcelo would fare in the absolute division. He faced former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez, who outweighed by over 100 lbs.

Rodriguez tried to bully Garcia, but Marcelo would bring the crowd to their feed by submitting him with a heel hook. He would follow up this win by submitting Diego Sanchez and rival Alexandre Ribeiro in the 3rd place match.

In 2007, Marcelo would make it to the finals of the absolute division. Narrowly missing earning double ADCC gold after being submitted by Robert Drysdale in a rematch.

Marcelo Garcia Opens His BJJ Academy 

After winning his fifth world IBJJF title and fourth ADCC title in 2011, Marcelo would retire from competition. He would then put all of his energy into opening his own Jiu Jitsu academy.

Garcia would choose to open his academy in the heart of New York City and call it Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy. From the moment Marcelo opened his school, his mats have been full of students ever since.

It is considered one of the best BJJ schools in all of New York. Helping the city become one of the best for BJJ schools along with Renzo Gracie’s school and Unity JJ.

The Innovative Style of Marcelo Garcia 

What made Marcelo Garcia such a phenomenal athlete was that he was always renovating his BJJ game. He was never satisfied with just being good at one thing, but became world class at numerous techniques.

Take his ADCC wins for example. He came into his first ADCC appearance beating everyone with an arm drag to take his opponent’s back, and submit them.

Then when opponents thought they had Marcelo figured out later on, he would use x guard and butterfly guard variations. Also adding on one of the world’s best guillotine chokes and north south chokes.

The diversity of Marcelo’s BJJ game is what made him a favorite to many future BJJ athletes. His innovative style helped shape grappling to how it is performed today.

The Legacy of Marcelo Garcia

Marcelo Garcia is one of the most beloved figures in all of Jiu Jitsu. He was a legendary competitor and one of the friendliest people to ever practice BJJ. 

Garcia followed his dreams and accomplished everything he ever wanted. Today, he is passionate as ever about Jiu Jitsu and is growing the next era of world champions.