Gracie Barra

Bios

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  Professor Flavio Almeida

  4th Degree Black Belt

  Professor Flavio Almeida started training martial arts when he was 12 years old, through karate. He followed in his brother, Ricardo Almeida’s footsteps and began practicing jiu-jitsu under the Gracie Barra family. He has had the privilege of receiving coaching from many jiu-jitsu legends, such as Renzo Gracie, Marcio Feitosa, and Master Carlos Gracie Jr. Professor Flavio Almeida competed in the late 1990s and late 2000s. His achievements include World Champion (1999 Brown Belt, 1997 Blue Belt), ADCC Silver Medallist (2007), Pan American Silver Medallist (2009, 2007), Brazilian National Silver Medallist (1999 Purple Belt, 1998 Purple Belt), Word Bronze Medallist (2007, 2001, 2000), and European Bronze Medallist (2009). Professor Flavio Almeida is the founder of Gracie Barra Dana Point and Gracie Barra San Clemente and is a co-founder of Gracie Barra Scottsdale, AZ. He is also the Executive Director of the Gracie Barra Association.

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  Professor Ricardo Almeida

  4th Degree Black Belt

  Professor Ricardo Almeida, founder of the Ricardo Almeida Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy (RABJJ) in Robbinsville, New Jersey, began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. in 1992. He was the first to receive a Black Belt under Master Renzo Gracie of the Renzo Gracie Academy, where he also served as an Assistant Instructor. Professor Ricardo Almeida is a world renowned coach, training world champions in sport jiu jitsu, submission wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA). Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar is a brown belt at the RABJJ Academy. Professor Ricardo is a veteran of the UFC and Pride FC and was recently named an Official MMA judge for the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. His achievements are include Brazilian National Champion (Medio – Purple Belt 1996, Pesado – Brown Belt 1997), Pan American Champion (Pesado – Brown Belt 1999), ADCC Silver Medallist (1998 88-98Kg and Absolute), ADCC Bronze Medallist (2000 Absolute), and former Pancrase Champion. Professor Ricardo Almeida is a co-founder of Gracie Barra Scottsdale.

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  Professor Felipe Guedes

  Black Belt under Professor Flavio Almeida

  Professor Felipe Guedes began training jiu-jitsu in Sao Paulo, Brazil, under Roberto Laje when he was 18 years old. He became a Blue Belt under Leje, but then had to abandon jiu-jitsu to study dentistry, which was his chosen profession, until he moved to the U.S. in 2002 to learn English. Laje connected Professor Felipe Guedes with the Orange County jiu-jitsu pioneer, Joe Moreira. Four years later, Professor Felipe Guedes started training at Gracie Barra Lake Forest, home of Marcio Feitosa and Master Carlos Gracie, Jr., where he spent two years as a Blue Belt. Professor Felipe met Professor Flavio Almeida in 2007, and the two became best friends. Professor Flavio invited Professor Felipe to be the Program Director at Gracie Barra San Clemente, where he learned to manage a school and take care of his students, on and off the mats. He went on to become the General Manager of both Gracie Barra San Clemente and Gracie Barra Dana Point, and get his Purple Belt, Brown Belt and Black Belt. Prof. Felipe also plays a important role inside the Gracie Barra Association, helping schools all over the world to reach success. He has led/contribute with many projects, such as school software, Future Champions Program, school management, sales, Women’s Jiu-Jitsu, GB Entrepreneurs Club, GB Ethics Counsel, GB Anti-Bullying system, GB webinars, and many others. His achievements include Pan American Absolute Champion, 4x American Champion, and 3rd Place at No-Gi World Championship.

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  Professor Dave Weber

  Black Belt under Professor Flavio Almeida

  Professor Dave Weber grew up in Newport Beach, CA where he played football and was an accomplished wrestler in high school. He went on to the University of Southern California to get his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a specialty in its prestigious Entrepreneur Program. Professor Dave Weber started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the Los Angeles area in 2003 and later, met Professor Flavio Almeida at the old Gracie Barra headquarters in Lake Forest, CA. when he moved back to Orange County. Professor Dave and Professor Flavio quickly formed a close bond, so when Professor Flavio opened his first Gracie Barra school in San Clemente, CA, Dave did not hesitate to follow him there to continue to be his student. Professor Dave received his Black Belt from Professor Flavio in February of 2014 and has the honor of being the first American born student to receive a Black Belt from Professor Flavio. Professor Dave’s professional goal has always been to combine his entrepreneurial spirit with his love for martial arts. When asking Dave about his love for jiu-jitsu, he stated, “Besides my family and few close friends, jiu-jitsu is the most important part of my life! I feel blessed to be on a team with Flavio Almeida, Felipe Guedes, and Ricardo Almeida, and that I can be a part of bringing Gracie Barra to Scottsdale!” Professor Dave has found success in competition and has taken home medals in Gi and even more in No-Gi. These days, he’s spending the majority of his time as an instructor to make sure as many students as possible can benefit from Gracie Barra Brazilian jiu-jitsu.