The Top 5 BJJ Academies in Florida
Who takes the #1 spot?
With more than 87 Brazilian Jiu-jitsu academies registered in the state of Florida, you can say that the Sunshine state is a little saturated with this Gentle Art. So if you're like me and look for the absolute best team to study from, let's put aside the other 82 and take a peek at the top 5.
Criteria for ranking
Years in business.
Quality of administration.
My humble opinion
Head instructor actually onsite teaching.
Size of kids program (anyone can teach adults).
#5. Fight Sports Miami
Fight Sports was founded in March 2003 by Roberto Cyborg Abreu in the city of Campo Grande-MS, Brazil. The team was created with the intention to unite its students as a family and have the mat as their second home. In the year of 2007, Roberto moved to Miami Florida and opened Fight Sports Miami.
Roberto Cyborg Abreu is a 4th-degree black belt. 5 x World Champion Ultra Heavyweight.
#4. Mario Sperry Jiu-jitsu
Established in 2018. Mario Sperry is one of the most decorated Jiu-Jitsu and MMA fighters. A black belt from the legendary Carlson Gracie, he has thought some of the best fighters in the world.
Mario Sperry is a 6th-degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and is also a black belt in traditional Japanese Judo.
#3. Rilion Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Rilion Gracie is the youngest male son of the Grand Master Carlos Gracie Sr. (the founder of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the creator of MMA). Rilion Gracie teaches classes himself at RGA Headquarters in Miami established in 2008.
#2. START Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
Sunrise, FL - Established 2017
Roberto “Gordo” Correa, by BJJ Heroes. Roberto “Gordo” Correa is one of the most important figures in Jiu Jitsu's panorama. An important competitor in the 1990′s, “Gordo” became a top instructor at the Gracie Barra academy, where he formed tremendous fighters such as Celso Vinicius, Braga Neto, and many others. Roberto Correa de Lima teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 1990. As a black belt competitor, his achievements include all the major titles in the adult division, such as the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (1996); the absolute Brazilian Championship (1997); and the IBJJF Pan-Ams (1996/1997/2001/2003), among others.
#1.Marcio Cruz Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Established in 2009 - Tampa, FL
Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz, is a 5th-degree black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. Unanimously considered one of the best to have ever competed in the sport. Marcio Cruz was one of the biggest stars in the early 2000s, having conquered the two open weight black belt world championships in 2002 and 2003. ADCC Champion (2003)
World Champion (1999 purple, 2000 weight & absolute brown, 2002 weight & absolute, 2003 absolute)
Pan American Champion (1999 weigh & absolute blue, 2003 weight & absolute, 2005 weight & absolute)
Brazilian Champion (1998 blue, 2000 weight & absolute, 2001)
Brazilian National Silver Medallist (1999 brown, 2001 absolute)
World Bronze Medallist (1998 blue, 2001 weight & absolute, 2012)