Joao Rodrigo

DescriptI started martial arts at four years old. I was a hyperactive kid, dealing with bullying, and a school psychologist suggested martial arts as a solution. That’s where my journey began, with Judo. From age four to nine, I learned discipline and took my first steps into competition.

At twelve, inspired by Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, I got into striking. I started training Muay Thai and later put those skills to the test. Growing up in Rio, fighting wasn’t just about sport. It was self-defense and survival. Over time, I earned respect in my neighborhood, in the gyms, and eventually in national federations, becoming a black belt at seventeen.

By eighteen, I was teaching. I built a team that competed in MMA, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, and many of my students turned professional. That led me to coaching athletes competing in UFC, Bellator, WGP, BRAVE, Pancrase Japan, and Bahrain’s national MMA team.

Now, I’m here at Dino Jiu Jitsu in the USA, ready to build something new. My goal is simple. Help people grow, transform lives, create future coaches, and shape champions on and off the mat.ion goes here