SANTA BARBARA'S TOP RATED MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

WELCOME TO GRACIE BARRA

Our Instructors

Black Belt Professor

Professor Rodrigo Clark
4th Degree Black Belt

Rodrigo Clark began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1993, at the age of 15, under masters Jose Henrique Leão Teixeira, and Helio “Soneca” Moreira. A couple of years later, after being accepted in Law School, at a private university located near the original Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Academy, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rodrigo became part of the world famous Gracie Barra Team, where he had the chance to learn from the legendary Master Carlos Gracie Jr., and train among the best Jiu-Jitsu fighters in the world.

Professor Rodrigo has over 26 years of experience training and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has left the mats several times as a champion, winning many national and international titles. Among other achievements, Rodrigo is 7x World No Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship medalist, and 3x Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship medalist.

Rodrigo Clark is a Black Belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. and an official Gracie Barra representative. Rodrigo is the owner and head coach of Gracie Barra Santa Barbara.

Prof. Rodrigo moved to Santa Barbara in 2003. Just a few months later Gracie Barra Santa Barbara was born. Originally located on Mason St., GB Santa Barbara quickly started to get momentum. And in just a couple of years GBSB had become a part of the Santa Barbara community, and a popular destination for people interested in experiencing the Brazilian jiu-jitsu lifestyle.

Aside from leading the Gracie Barra school in Santa barbara, Prof. Clark is currently the President of the National Jiu-Jitsu Federation. The Mission of the NJJF, as a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, is support Jiu-Jitsu athletes and promote the sport of Jiu-Jitsu throughout the U.S., while providing Jiu-Jitsu scholarships for children of low-income families.

The United States Jiu-Jitsu Association is also committed to organizing world-class Jiu-Jitsu tournaments with the purpose of fostering the growth and popularity of Jiu-Jitsu across the country.

 

Professor Paulo Thiago “Caveira”

4th Degree Black Belt

Prof. Paulo Thiago is a decorated MMA fighter and outstanding Martial Arts Instructor. Paulo’s impressive fighting skills has led him to fight in the UFC for almost a decade.

As a Jiu-Jitsu instructor, Prof. Paulo will guide you through all the fundamental steps to develop a strong Jiu-Jitsu game and to become a confident individual.

Here are some facts about Prof. Paulo Thiago:

  • UFC Veteran
  • 30 Professional MMA fights
  • 19 wins – 10 Submissions – 4 K.O.
  • 4th Degree Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
  • World Class Muay Thai Trainer
  • Former Pro Boxer with a record of 10 wins – 0 losses
  • Brazilian Police Special Ops Sgt. (BOPE)

Most people know Prof. Paulo Thiago for his incredible performances in the UFC. What many people don’t know is that his real job in Brazil was to fight bad guys as a Special Ops Police Officer.

For 15 years Prof. Paulo was a Special Agent of BOPE (Special Operations Battalion), having faced the most dangerous criminals in the country. BOPE has generated notoriety due to their role in the violent drug war in Brazil.

As a Police Officer, Paulo has developed extensive experience in urban warfare and hand to hand combat, having used his Jiu-Jitsu skills as well as his fighter’s instincts on several occasions to protect the community from dangerous criminals, fight drug traffickers and to stay alive.

If you would like to learn Jiu-Jitsu from a real UFC fighter and MMA legend, schedule a FREE trial lesson and find out why Gracie Barra is for you!

When looking for great Muay Thai instruction don’t settle for less! Make sure you train under someone with lots of experience both as an athlete and instructor. Our Muay Thai Coach needs no introduction. If you follow the UFC you must have seen Coach Paulo Thiago fighting in the Octagon at least a dozen times!Â

Coach PauloThiagois a decorated MMA athlete and an outstanding Martial Arts instructor. As a Muay Thai specialist, PauloThiagowill guide you through all the fundamental steps to become both a strong athlete and a confident individual.

Here are some facts about our Muay Thai Coach:

  • UFC Veteran
  • 30 Professional MMA fights
  • World Class Muay Thai Instructor
  • Former Pro Boxer with a record of 10 wins – 0 losses

Whether you are an experienced fighter looking for a great place to sharpen your skills, or a complete beginner searching for Muay Thai instruction, Gracie Barra Santa Barbara is the right place for you! Coach Paulo Thiago will assure that you will have a great experience while learning Muay Thai at our school.

If you would like to learn from a real UFC fighter and become part of the world’s most notorious Martial Arts team, simply click the bottom below and schedule a complimentary lesson.