Hello friends! It is with great joy that we opened our doors today, for a limited group of about 80 lucky souls. The attendance was very special as people from all around the United Kingdom came over, eager to know our brand new academy and reunite with Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues.

From experienced black belts, purple belts and blue belts, fresh starter white belts and several children, all excited with the new academy space.

After settling everyone in, Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues kicked off the seminar, starting by explaining his new project, his goals for the future and his full-time dedication to the new Gracie Barra Knightsbridge, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Lucio insisted, more than once, that this is his lifetime project and he will personally be teaching every day. Lucio also counted with the help of several black belt instructors such as Paul Hartley, Matt Stalone, Lucio Sergio dos Santos, Claudio Silva, Thiago Borges, Esther Tang and Ajaz Saddique.

Check the photos below and tell us what you think! Ossss.

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While in the heat of the successful Gracie Barra Knightsbridge opening seminar, Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues surprised the audience and specially Jack Magee, by awarding him his well deserved Black Belt.

At 28 years of age, Jack already has a respectable MMA track record. Jack and Lucio met in Rio de Janeiro, where Jack trained with Lucio’s friend Roberto Gordo (creator of the half guard). While Roberto Gordo was the one responsible for Jack’s progression so far, it was in the UK that Jack, training alongside with Lagarto, set himself up to step to next next level: Black Belt.

Congratulations Jack, hope everything goes well for you!

Osss

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Following the recent article “Jack Magee gets his Black Belt from Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues“, the video below registers the moment.

Lucio introduces the important topic of the start of the real journey, by getting a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and then surprises everybody by calling Jack Magee, who traditionally gave out a speech to the crowd.

Well done Jack! Osss

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Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues’ latest instruction video “Open guard to Armlock and Triangle” made it to renown GRACIEMAG, a specialized Jiu-Jitsu complete resource since 1994. The article is written in Portuguese and the breakdown of Lucio’s instruction is accurate and really detailed.

Check the original GRACIEMAG article “Aprenda uma finalização da guarda aberta, com Lagarto” (learn from Lagarto how to finalize from open guard).

In the original Gracie Barra Knightsbridge video below, Lucio shows us how to progress from the open guard to an attack submission; first for an armbar and inevitably, to a triangle choke. This is a highly efficient technique, used at all levels of Jiu-Jitsu. Pay attention to details! Ossss

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Hey guys! It’s been 3 weeks since we’ve opened our Academy and we must say that we’re pleased with the results so far! Lots of friends have visited us, came to spar in our new Tatame, and we have also had visits from people totally new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or the Gracie Barra teaching method. Fortunately, several of them have become members and our family is already beginning to grow Osss!

Taking advantage of the summer time and that we have sunlight from early in the morning to late evening, we’ve decided to go with an open timetable until the end of August. This means that everyone can come to any class level! Given that there are always at least 2 instructors in the academy, students can be grouped by experience level, learn and train accordingly.

Please click the image below to check our classes timetable. And if you’re not a member, please book your tailor made induction and free class now!

We hope this initiative follows your expectations!

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This Saturday Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues held yet another successful seminar, this time in Aberdeen, where Lucio has one of his affiliate academies.

Based in the Aberdeen Combat Centre, the academy is led by instructor Ken Lee who is a purple belt under Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues (Pictured front left below) under the Gracie Barra system of Master Carlos Gracie.

Lucio focused this seminar in fundamental techniques and positions, always explaining the relevant details and the importance of having a solid domain in the side control position. The seminar covered specifically:

• How to maintain side control when opponent is hip escaping
• Side control to knee on belly and baseball bat choke
• Side control to modified scarf hold with series of arm lock attacks and choke
• Side control to reverse modified scarf hold to mount (2 versions)
• Reverse modified scarf hold to rolling back take
• Stack pass defence to crucifix choke
• Stack pass defence to back take

By the end of the seminar, Lucio also took the opportunity to graduate some of the academy’s talented students.

The Scottish white belt champion Paull McBain – promoted to Blue. Congratulations Paull!

Fiona Faulkner and Andrew Faulkner graded with stripes in white belt. Congratulations, keep working and you will see your efforts awarded!

Photo of the whole group.

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At Gracie Barra Knightsbrodge we consider any achievement worthy of being publicized. Murat Tsikanov, on the photo below with Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues is a talented student who started his BJJ journey only a few months ago. His dedication to the sport and persistence has started to pay off. This Saturday Lucio awarded him with his second stripe on his white belt – this means that little by little, he is closer to the black belt. Remember guys: a Black Belt is a White Belt that never quit.

Congratulations Murat! Ossss

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Hi to all Gracie Barra Knightsbridge friends. We are pleased to announce yet another graduation handed out by Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues, recognizing his students’ effort, dedication and progression in their BJJ journey.

Following Murat’s graduation to a white belt second stripe, who by the way must be the student with the greatest attendance ratio, last week Lucio awarded second stripe to Blue Belt Gustavo Morais and the first stripe to new joiner and white belt – yet totally dedicated – Mauro Udai.

Gracie Barra Knightsbridge and lead Professor Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues recognize the effort, dedication and technical progression of its students. We congratulate you for your achievements and highlight the fact that the academy’s level is building up as expected. These graduations are a reflection of that and it’s with great joy that we acknowledge Gustavo and Mauro’s graduations.

Thanks Gustavo and Mauro, and congratulations again in name of the academy and Lucio Rodrigues.

Ossss

Picture above: Gustavo Morais gets his second stripe from Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues, after proving what it takes!

Picture above: Mauro Udai gets his first stripe on his white belt. This is a moment he will never forget!

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Stay tuned for the next Grapplers Quest European Championship, hosted in Amsterdam on the 10th of August. This an event full of super fights and we’ll be supporting Lucio from the U.K.!

Often regarded as the Lance Armstrong of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Lucio Rodrigues also known as “Lagarto”, is a decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Junior from Gracie Barra who has victoriously battled with cancer, returning to BJJ after his recovery to conquer some of the most important titles in his career, such as the European Open and the World Pro Cup finals in Abu Dhabi.

Competing in the Heavy (94kg/207lbs) and Super Heavy (100kg/221lbs) divisions, representing team Gracie Barra,  Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues’ first fight will be against renown Rafael Lovato Jr. Other well succeeded fighters such Victor Estima, among others, will be present, so it’s going to be an exciting event.

Keep checking Grapplers Quest announcement page and Grapplers Quest homepage for updates on the line ups.

This is a pay per view event so let’s schedule and support our master Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues! Osss

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Another of our white belt students takes his first step in his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey! It’s actually his second step, as the first and very important one is to come in the academy and decide to become a member!

Antonio Blanc, our student for about 3 months now, has shown great commitment and dedication to this art that didn’t go unnoticed to our Master Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues. As usual, by the end of yesterday’s class, Professor Lucio announced to everyone that he wanted to graduate one of his students. Way to go Antonio, keep up your effort! The whole Gracie Barra Knightsbridge Academy congratulates you! Osss

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This Saturday Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues held yet another successful seminar in the Gracie Barra Preston – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy.

Operating out of Preston, U.K., the academy is led by head instructor Paul Hartley AKA “Leao Marinho” who is a black belt under Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues.

In this seminar, Lucio also took the opportunity to graduate some students, with special focus on Ian Fel’s black belt graduation. Congratulations Ian! Osss

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A healthy lifestyle and a positive mind is 80% of a fighter’s success – Lucio ‘Lagarto’ Rodrigues, WPJJC Black Belt Champion

How would you like to have that 80%?

Our services of sports nutrition and training in mental discipline are recommended by Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues himself.

Sports Nutrition

Diet directly affects an athlete’s ability to train and recover from training, to compete and keep on competing. An adequate diet, in terms of quantity and quality, before, during and after training and competition, will maximise performance.
For example, maximizing the supply of muscular energy in competition, when a fighter eats too much or the wrong type of food, or to late before a fight his digestive process, which requires energy, will affect his strength at the start of the fight. But if a fighter eats too little or the wrong type of food, or too long before a fight, he would start to run out of energy before the fight finishes.

Given the wide diversity of different sporting activities and the different demands placed on the individual by different sports, we provide personalised advice to suit your needs.

Training in Mental Discipline for Sports

It is well known that in order to win an excellent body is not enough. You need to be focused. You need to know that you are a winner. You need an excellent mind.

Under our guidance you will learn to access your best resources to be in an excellent state of mind when you need to perform.

The trainers

Dr E. Eve (BSc, MSc, PhD, DLSHTM, FRSPH, RPHNutr) holds a PhD in Human Nutrition from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (1995), a Masters Degree from the University of Swansea, Wales (1987) and is a graduate of the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil (1981) in Normal and Clinical Nutrition. She is also trained on CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) by the Royal College of Psychiatrists) and is certified as an NLP™ Practitioner by The Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™. She is a Registered Public Health Nutritionist and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health.

Alessandro Pistocchi holds a degree in Mathematics with distinction from Bologna University. He is certified as an NLP™ Master Practitioner and as a Specialist Practitioner in NHR by The Society of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™.

Our Coaching programme for Peak Performance

Sports Nutrition sessions involve:
- body measurements to initially establish and continuously monitor your muscle/fat ratio, water loss, daily food intake
- diet advices finely tuned for you to improve and then maintain your body at its best

Mental Discipline Training sessions involve:
- establishing your current situation
- establishing your target
- a set of thinking exercises finely tuned for you to achieve your goals

Sessions last around 45-60 minutes.

Where can you meet the team?

Hampstead: Eve Nutrition Clinic, 49 Flask Walk, London NW3 1HH.
Knightsbridge: Gracie Barra Knightsbridge, 8 Egerton Gardens Mews, London SW3 2EH.
For information and appointments please phone Val on 02077942174 mobile: 07779097282 or Gustavo on 07542058954.

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It has been a hot summer in London, and so has it been in our academy. Along with the growing number of students, which pleases us with enjoyment and keeps driving us forward, we have also had some major achievements from some of our dedicated students.

First highlight is Jason Millazo’s Black Belt graduation (picture below). Jason is the true example of persistence, will and dedication. Jason started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu long ago. He then stopped for a few years due to health issues, and came back again with a “never quit” attitude and looking up at Lucio’s life example. The effort paid off and he got his Black Belt graduation from Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues. Congratulations Jason!

Equally important and recognizable at out academy was recent first stripe graduation under the Blue Belt category: Leemaria Rochester and Matteo Rigginello. This graduation is a recognition of their effort, dedication and constant attendance. Picture below shows Leemaria and Matteo after receiving their first Blue Belt stripe from coach Paul Hartley aka “Leao Marinho”.

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Hey guys! Just got back from Amsterdam and would like to thank you all for your support! I was amazing to be there and even better to achieve my main goal, which was to get back to the competitions. It was a great pleasure and joy to fight at the Grapplers Quest and I was very happy to fight against Rafael Lovato Jr. in the Super Fight. I was also specially happy to fight and win the Absolute division on the same day!

Big thanks to all my students, my tireless training partners and to everyone who was cheering for me!

Ossss

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Hi guys! Following our recent round of Summer graduations, as Summer is passing, we have the pleasure of announcing yet another round of recent graduations at Gracie Barra Knightsbridge academy.

The below students have shown persistence, dedication, will and demonstration of evolution within their belt levels. Professor Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues has therefore decided to graduate them. Congratulations to all in name of the whole Gracie Barra Knightsbridge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Ossss

Ben Williams: Purple Belt – 1st stripe

Antonio Caldas: White Belt – 4th stripe

Dylan Jones: White Belt – 2nd Stripe

Charlie: White Belt – 1st Stripe

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Good morning my friends. Today we announce press news as Gracie Barra Knightsbridge, through its founder and lead professor Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues, feature in an article titled “Get ready to Grapple with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu“, under the Life & Style category.

A few weeks ago we started talking to Metro UK, namely the Health & Fitness editor Vicki-Marie Cossar. Following the exchange of a few emails, Vicki-Marie came in with her team and not only Vicki-Marie wanted to know more about Lucio “Lagarto” Rodigues’ appealing story, the birth and growing of his Gracie Barra Knightsbridge Academy, but she actually rolled her sleeves and did a full beginners class.

We were proud to receive Metro UK’s visit and to be the main topic in this article. Please find below some of the pictures captured and also a link for the full Metro UK article.

Osss.

Picture below with Professor Lucio “Lagarto” being interviewed by Vicki-Marie Cossar, Health & Fitness Editor for Metro UK newspaper.

Picture below with Vicki-Marie Cossar in the beginners class, setting herself up to throw Gustavo Morais, from Gracie Barra Knightsbridge.

Following on the same technique, going from the throw to knee on belly and aiming to control Gustavo. Vicki-Marie had a great initial contact with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues and Vicki-Marie Cossar after the interview for Metro UK and Vicki-Marie’s initiation to Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor and coach Lucio Rodrigues (in blue below) has his opponent in knots (Picture: David Lynch)

He’s behind you! Lucio Rodriques (in blue below) takes his opponent by surprise (Picture: Daniel Lynch)

To access the full PDF article, please click on the images below.

Source: http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/02/get-ready-to-grapple-with-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-3943490/

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Good afternoon friends. This seminar took place on the 3rd of August and it was yet another great Lagarto seminar. The Gracie Barra Glasgow Scotland Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy is under Lagarto’s supervision and the head coach is Ricky Gillon, Brown Belt 2 tabs under Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues (Ricky is actually a 3rd degree black belt in traditional jiu jitsu).

The main focus in this seminar and topics covered passing the guard, a lot of knee slide variations and pressure passing . Lagarto also took his time to individually look at some of the dedicated Glasgow students. Similarly as in other seminars, some students asked Lagarto to better explain the famous “Lagarto Guard”, which he did.

A special moment and highlight of the day was when Lucio promoted 4-stripe white belt William Mackay, age 62, to Blue Belt. His persistence, dedication and age comparing to other students has rendered him the friendly nickname of “Helio Gracie”, which is a nickname anyone should be proud of!

Picture below: William Mackay getting his Blue Belt from Lagarto.

Pictures below: the group of students attending the seminar.

Last but certainly not least, a special highlight to student Owen Campbell, who won the gold medal for Lagarto’s Gracie Barra Scotland in the last European Grappler’s Quest, the same competition where Lagarto won the Absolute Division. Congratulations! Osss

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Hey guys! It was an exciting last few days in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues visited one of his black belts, Gustavo Adolfo Goncalez Rodriguez, who is teaching in his recent Lagarto BJJ Academy.

While giving out another successful seminar for a group of dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, Lucio also took the opportunity of graduating Gustavo to his first degree on his black belt (pictured right below).

Picture below: the group of dedicated BJJ students attending the seminar, at the new Lagarto Academy, this Saturday the 9th of September.

Tenerife is known as the place on earth with the eternal Spring. Obviously that Lucio wouldn’t miss this opportunity and went surfing with a group of friends! Osss

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The last month has been highlighted by the serious training preceding the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014. This much awaited and renown competition will be held between 15-19th April 2014 at First Gulf Bank Arena, Zayed Sports City. For those of us who can’t make it to Abu Dhabi, take note in your agendas!

Professor Lucio “Lagarto” has been training hard with some of the world’s top fellow competitors. The Estima brothers, Victor and Braulio, head professors and responsible for Gracie Barra Nottingham and Gracie Barra Birmingham, respectively, have been training alongside Lagarto. Lagarto travels north and stays for a week, and the Estima brothers the other way around. So plenty of action happening in our Academy too.

Present in these training sessions and also flying to Abu Dhabi is young Portuguese promise, brown belt Nelton Pontes, who trains under Professor Alex Machado, from Gracie Barra Lisboa. Also always watching out and helping Master Lagarto is Gracie Barra Knightsbridge instructor Marlon Queiroz.

Keep track of the agenda and updates in the UAE Jiu-Jitsu website.

Lucio “Lagarto”, Braulio and Victor Estima are three very well known Gracie Barra professionals who are joining forces and will represent serious competition in Abu Dhabi! Top level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu out of the United Kingdom to take on whatever it takes in Abu Dhabi. We are looking forward to see them on the mats and also to watch Nelton Pontes’ performance. Good luck guys, ossss!

Marlon Queiroz, Braulio Estima, Victor Estima, Nelton Pontes, Lucio Lagarto

Lucio Lagarto, Victor Estima, Braulio Estima, Nelton Pontes

It was an intense weekend for our friend, student and academy coach, Black Belt Marlon Queiroz. Marlon had been training hard with the help of friends like Professor Lucio Lagarto, Braulio Estima, Victor Estima, Paul Hartley, Nelton Pontes, among others. Marlon saw his efforts compensated this weekend as he grappled his way through his fights and took home the gold medal for the Super Heavy category and bronze medal in the Open Class division.

In his oficial Instagram, Lucio “Lagarto” proudly commented: “Congratulations to my dear friend and student Marlon, this is just the beginning!”

Congratulations Marlon, we are all with you and looking forward to see you compete again! Osss

Marlon Queiroz displaying his medals sided by long time friend, leader of Vita Jiu-Jitsu Team, black belt Sérgio Vita