Instructors

Romulo Barral is a retired professional grappler as well as one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaches in the world. Tipped as “The Number 1 BJJ fighter in the world” by Gracie Mag in 2007, Romulo Barral maintained his top tier black belt status in the years that followed with consistent medals at the top jiu-jitsu tournaments, reaching BJJ Heroes’ Top 10 Competitors of All Time ranking. Originally from Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Romulo Barral established his own successful jiu-jitsu academy in California — United States, named Gracie Barra Northridge.

Also known as Leozinho or simply Leo Vieira, is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Romero Cavalcanti, being famous for combining one of the most crowd-pleasing games in BJJ with an amazing track record. Leo Vieira was also the co-founder of important teams such as Brasa Clube de Jiu-Jitsu and Checkmat BJJ, becoming in the process one of grappling’s most important coaches by developing athletes such as Marcus Almeida ‘Buchecha’, Lucas Leite, João Assis, and many others. Leozinho is also one of the Top BJJ Competitors of All Time by BJJ Heroes.

Marco Canha is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, graduated under the legendary Ricardo Vieira at the Fightzone academy (Checkmat headquarters in Rio de Janeiro). Born in the “Mecca” of jiu-jitsu, Marco Canha made a name for himself as one of the hottest new prospects to come out of the Checkmat Academy, he has since moved to Europe, where he opened up his own affiliate of Fightzone in London (check Fightzone London website).

Claudia Gadhela is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Women’s Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Valmyr Neto, born in Belem, Brazil, in 1983, began his martial arts journey with Judo before transitioning to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Inspired by Royce Gracie’s UFC victories, Neto sought training and earned his yellow and blue belts under Marcus Norat. He continued his BJJ training with Walter “Broca,” receiving his black belt in 2006. In 2008, Neto moved to England to coach BJJ and has since become a prominent figure in the English grappling scene, leading the DFC academy in Gravesend and contributing to the growth of the sport in Europe.

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