Black Belt Professor

Professor Rodrigo Clark
5th 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 31 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.

Click to watch Prof. Rodrigo in action

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 Gracie Barra had become a part of the Santa Barbara community, and a popular destination for people interested in experiencing the Brazilian jiu-jitsu lifestyle.

 

Professor Paulo Thiago “Caveira”

5th 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.

• 5th 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)

Click to watch Prof. Paulo Thiago in action

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 visit and find out why Gracie Barra is for you!