Flavio Almeida - Top BJJ Black Belt Coach

Flavio Almeida is a 4th-degree black belt under the very well-known Master Carlos Gracie Junior, who is also the founder of the legendary Gracie Barra Academy.

Almeida, during his training journey, has had the honor of being taught by many legendary Jiu-Jitsu instructors. After being trained for years, Almeida, in his late 90s, earned a very reputed image in the sport.

Almeida, after losing to Margarida, decided to pause his Jiu-Jitsu career and planned to continue his degree. He then spent the next five years studying and working in business. In 2006, he returned to the USA and opened his academy affiliated with Gracie Barra in California.

Almeida is being called by the name of “Cachorrinho” which means small dog. The name was given to him by his elder brother Ricardo Almeida who is known as “Cachorrao” which means big dog.

Flavio Almeida is the brother of UFC veteran Ricardo Almeida. He was born in 1979, in Brazil. Almeida’s family lineage lies in Portuguese and German. He started his early career through karate, but this interest of his stayed for a while, and then he joined his first Jiu-Jitsu academy.

Almeida was 12 years old when he started training in Jiu-Jitsu. He decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps and joined the same academy he was training. Almeida’s family appreciates his decision as his, grandfather was a great fan of Helio Gracie and used to follow his fight in the late 1930s and 1950s.

Almeida had the honor of being taught under many legendary and well-known Jiu-Jitsu coaches like Renzo Gracie, Marcio Feitosa, and Carlos Gracie Junior.

Under the guidance of such tremendous coaches, Almeida’s career took a great jump and he became a known fighter in no time.

In the late 90s, Falvio was reputed as one of the top BJJ fighters by winning on two occasions in the lower belt ranks blue and brown.

Almeida after a long journey of dedication, sacrifice, and physical training was promoted to black belt under Master Carlos Gracie Junior.

He also had two bronze medals as a black belt in the world championship.

After reaching the rank of black belt, Almeida decided to write an article on his journey to motivate students and new learners here’s a part of what he wrote:

I had no idea Jiu-Jitsu was eventually going to become a path of enlightenment, allowing me to get to know myself better and develop not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

There is more to Jiu-Jitsu than the physical aspects of practice!” I remind students often. If we pay attention and allow Jiu-Jitsu to make a difference in our lives by applying what we learned on the mats to daily life, we open ourselves up to an exciting path of personal growth that helps us make large steps to improve on what matters to us.

Almeida after losing the fight with Margarida paused Jiu-Jitsu and continued his studies. He spent five years being a student studying and working in business but he didn't get along with that either and decided to quit his job and in 2006, went to New Jersey and started teaching in his brother’s academy.

After a few years of teaching there, he went to California and opened his academy affiliated with Gracie Barra.

Flavio Almeida is a positive and encouraging teacher towards his students. He says that teaching is his passion and he loves teaching students all that he has gained from his instructors as a student. He says that he wants to pass on his knowledge and skills to his students and wants to bring the amazing impact of Jiu-Jitsu to as many students as possible.

In the start both the fighters were playing well they both were defending themselves, Flavio Almeida was trying to grapple Maia but Demian Maia won the match under weight 88kgs by armbar.

Flavio Almeida was playing very well, he took start by capturing Telles’s leg but he was smart enough to escape himself and Eduardo Telles won the match under heavyweight from few points.

As the match started Flavio Almeida very efficiently grabbed him by his leg Margarida tried to get himself off Almeida, but Almeida very cleverly kept him locked and won the match under heavyweight.

Demian Maia vs Flavio Almeida ADCC 2007 Finals

Eduardo Telles VS Flavio Almeida / Pan Championship 2007

Fernando Margarida Jiu Jitsu match vs Flavio Almeida Worlds 1999 Brown Belt OLD SCHOOL BJJ MATCH

Photo Credit: @flavioalmeidagb