About Us

 At Gustavo Machado BJJ of Venice, we train sports Jiu-Jitsu while reminding ourselves of how these techniques can also be used in potentially threatening, real-life situations.  Keeping self-defense in the forefront of our training builds confidence in our students’ ability to defend themselves and others.   Our academy welcomes all levels of experience and fitness.  Our classes are designed to provide results at any age and are enjoyed by both younger and older students.  We offer a safe and friendly atmosphere that many of our students consider their second home.  Our school provides top quality instruction in a safe, positive, and uplifting environment.  We are a welcoming community of people who motivate and inspire each other to reach our personal goals and have fun doing it.   

• Mitsuyo Maeda  
• Carlos Gracie Sr.  
• Helio Gracie  
• Carlos Gracie Junior  
• Roberto “Gordo” Correa 
• Gustavo “Guga” Machado
• Delman Carvalho   

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ is a grappling based martial art rooted in self-defense.  It has proven to be the single most effective approach to one-on-one unarmed combat, which evolved into MMA in our modern era.  It was the Gracie family that first showed the world that BJJ is the best martial art by beating all challenging fighters from across the world and their fighting styles regardless of rules or size.  BJJ is the triumph of intelligence and leverage over brute strength and aggression in hand-to-hand combat. 

(Reality)- Jiu-Jitsu can be applied to all possible real-life scenarios.  This is the most important and is often the most difficult to both train and test.

 (Full Contact Sport)- This is the most open and encompassing rule set for applying Jiu-Jitsu to sport.  MMA is a direct product of BJJ and its open practice called “Vale Tudo” or “anything goes”.  This code of conduct in combat is rooted in the Bushido culture.  Traditionally, the only restrictions were acts deemed dishonorable such as attacking the eyes or groin. 

 (Sport)- This is competitive submission grappling where you wear a Gi uniform, comprised of pants and a jacket, that can be grabbed during competition.