Meet your Head Coach

Valdir Araújo was born on December 14, 1984, in Gama, Brasilia – Brazil, moving to one the state of Bahia as a child. Throughout his childhood, Valdir Araújo was always involved in sports, practicing swimming and capoeira for years, as well as football (soccer), the latter at a high competitive level prior to him focussing on a martial arts career.

Valdir was introduced to jiu-jitsu by Helio Moura, a well known Bahia black belt. The relationship between the two came to fruition after Araújos’ father – a successful entrepreneur, sponsored Helio for a few jiu-jitsu events. Sometime after this exchange, Moura bumped into 12-year-old Valdir at the beach and recognizing the youngster, cordially invited him to train at his gym. After the very first class, in December 1998, Araújo realized grappling was something he wanted to pursue.

Main Achievements:

• Pro MMA Record: 19-9-0 (Win-Loss-Draw) View Fights
• UFC's The Ultimate Fighter Season 21 View Info
• 1st Place IBJJF European Open (2009)
• 2nd Place IBJJF American Nationals (2017)
• 2nd Place ADCC São Paulo Trials (2017 / 2019)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2016)
• 3rd Place IBJJF American Nationals NoGi (2016)
• 3rd Place ADCC Rio de Janeiro Trials (2017)