Team Marcelo Pereira

The Nova Uniao Influence-

Marcelo Pereira has come a long way from Rio de Janeiro. Thirty years after starting in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he has a team of his own, here in Southwest Florida. Although the team is new, the principles that Marcelo stands by when running his school and teaching his students have their origin in Nova Uniao.

There has been a tremendous amount of talent developed in Nova Uniao academies: BJ Penn, Leonardo Santos, Robson Moura, Bruno Bastos, Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro, Jose Aldo, Renen Barao, and more.

Those are names that Marcelo Pereira knows well. Some, he has trained with since he was a kid. Others came later in the Nova Uniao history. But he has shared the mat with them all. It is a rare thing, to have a pedigree like his--a connection with a team that has achieved so much. It is an instructor's pedigree and experience that makes him who he is. And, by extension, his students.

Marcelo and Nova Uniao athletes post after training at Upper Gym, including Jose Aldo and Ultimate Fighter winner Leo Santos

The Teacher is Still a Student-

Although he has won three championships at the highest level of the sport, Marcelo continues to challenge himself and Team Marcelo Pereira, partly through his close relationships with his former teammates. Robson Moura, a legend in Jiu-Jitsu and 8 time world champion, has his academy 150 miles north, in Tampa, Florida. Robson and Marcelo visit each other's schools several times a year, giving seminars and training together.

Marcelo also continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport. He recently won the gold medal in the IBJJF 2012 Masters and Seniors World Championship in Long Beach, California.

Marcelo and Brandon Mullins square off in the finals of the 2012 Masters and Senior World Championship

Benefits of Training Here-

Recently, another legend in the sport, Bruno Bastos, came to Naples to train for a week and teach classes with Marcelo. There's no substitute for this kind of opportunity. To train with some of the best the sport has produced.

When you are a student at Team Marcelo Pereira, you have direct exposure to the best instruction available. Marcelo teaches every class, unlike many other schools, whos founders and head instructors do not.

What to Expect-

Training at Team Marcelo Pereira, you can expect to receive world class instruction from a professor who has more titles and experience than anyone in the area.

Marcelo teaches just about every class at Team Marcelo Pereira. That's not common.

You can expect to be challenged. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not easy. Promotions don't come quickly. The standards are high. Nothing is given away here. Of course, nothing worthwhile is easy. But the the benefits you receive are tremendous:

- Increased physical fitness and general health

- Confidence in your ability to defend yourself

- A sense of belonging ; being part of a team, and new friendships

You'll make close friends with your teammates, on and off the mat.

As Much Challenge As You Want-

Whether your goal is to compete at high level Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, or if you are only interested in training for fun, Team Marcelo Pereira can give you what you're looking for. Whether you have already been training for years, or if you have never put on a gi or tried a martial art, we can help you achieve your goals.

We have students as young as 8 years old. And as "old" as the late sixties.

When you take one of our classes, you'll share the mat with teammates that are interested in learning. Our philosophy is to help each other become the best we can be. There's no ego problems at our gym. We are not just a team. We are a family too.

In addition to scheduled classes, private lessons are also available. You can receive as little or as much instruction as you want. Either way, however you choose, you will receive world class instruction.

Getting Started-

Interested? Have questions? Want to try a class? Contact us at the bottom of this page, and start your journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Hope to see you on the mat!

Team Marcelo Pereira