Sylvio Behring - 8th-Degree BJJ Coral Belt

Sylvio Behring is an 8th-degree BJJ red and white coral belt and a judo black belt. He is the son of BJJ Grand Master and 9th-degree BJJ red belt, Flavio Behring. Sylvio is the owner of the Sylvio Behring Association where he trains and promotes many students to the rank of black belt.

Being the son of Flavio Behring, Sylvio was expected to start his BJJ training at a young age, which he did. He started his jiu-jitsu training at the age of four under his father’s friend, João Alberto Barreto.

After training for four years under Barretto, the Behring family relocated to São Paulo. In São Paulo, Behring resumed his training under Gastão Gracie. Four years later, his family would again move to Rio de Janeiro and Behring would continue his BJJ training under Alvaro Barreto.       

Behring became one of Alvaro Barreto’s best students. Noting Behring’s potential and skills, Barreto decided to make him a coach at the age of 18.    

Sylvio’s father, Flavio Behring enrolled him and his brother, Marcio Behring, in a judo class under George Mehdi. Being naturally gifted, Sylvio managed to earn his judo black belt from Mehdi.

In 1984, Sylvio received his BJJ black belt from Alvaro Barreto, with João Alberto Barreto and Reyson Gracie also in attendance.  

In 1987, Behring joined Corpo Quatro Academy as a head instructor. Corpo Quatro Academy was a small academy located in Rua Francisco Sá, Copacabana.   

During his time coaching at Corpo Quatro Academy, Behring worked with female grapplers. He trained many talented female fighters and helped establish the first female grappling team. Rosângela “Zanza” Conceição was one such BJJ female fighter who trained under Behring. 

In 1992, Behring started the Progressive System of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This martial arts curriculum provided a traditional approach to teaching jiu-jitsu.    

In the early 1990s, Behring started Alliance São Paulo Academy in partnership with Fabio Gurgel. 

In 1994, Sylvio suffered a terrible loss with the death of his brother, Marcelo Behring. Marcelo’s academy Winner Behring Jiu-Jitsu Association would come under Sylvio’s instruction. He regularly made visits to his brother's academy until he could find someone trustworthy to take over his late brother’s academy.   

Behring trained many students who would become big names in the grappling circuit, including Marcelo Luz, Alexandre Fortes, Igor Negal, Mário Reis, Rosângela Conceição, and Fabrício Werdum.

One of Behring’s top students, Márcio Corleta, was brought to him by Master Ricardo Múzio. Corleta grew up in South Brazil, which had few facilities suitable for training. Seeing Corleta’s natural talent, Master Múzio wanted Behring to bring out his potential. Thanks to Behring’s training, Corleta became a world champion and the head instructor at “Winner Behring Jiu-Jitsu Association.       

When BJJ started becoming more popular in the USA, Behring tried to move to the USA to improve his BJJ career. However, his request for a visa was denied. So, he instead decided to settle in Porto Alegre and spread the influence of jiu-jitsu until 2003.   

In 2008, Sylvio received his red and black belt (7th-degree coral belt) from Alvaro Barreto, João Alberto Barreto, and Flavio Behring.     

Behring also worked as a jiu-jitsu coach at X Gym in Rio de Janeiro. UFC Champions Fabricio Werdum and Anderson Silva were among those trained by Behring.

Behring now runs his own academy with branches in multiple countries, including Brazil, the USA, Namibia, Canada, Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, and Mexico. More than 200 black belts have been promoted and graduated from the Sylvio Behring Association.

Behring has served as a BJJ instructor at various Brazilian and U.S. police and military academies. The police and military academies that  Behring has taught include:

• PMERJ (Military Police of Rio De Janeiro)
• BOPE (The Special Operations Battalion of Rio De Janeiro’s Military Police)
• PCERJ (Civil Police of Rio De Janeiro)
• PMSP (Military Police of São Paulo)
• Special Police Force of Rio De Janeiro
• Toronto Police Academy Since 1998
• Edmonton Police Academy
• Park City Police Department
• Brazilian Army
• National Academy of The Brazilian Highway Police
• US Army
• US Navy

Behring’s achievements and ranks include the following: 

• Creator of the Inappropriate Behavior Progressive Management (GPCI)
• Co-author of book titled GPCI
• Former president of the Brazilian Confederation of Sports Jiu-Jitsu (BCJJD)
• A member of the Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation (JJGF) Master’s Council
• Vice president of the Sports Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro (FJJDRIO)

Behring is married to Adriana Behring and has a son.

Sylvio Behring’s instructional videos are available in the form of volumes in which he describes his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Progressive System. This volume is available on the website of his academy at reasonable prices. Besides these videos, his other instructional videos are also available on the internet on different websites and YouTube channels.

Photo Credit: @sylviobehring