Testimonials

“My formal martial arts training began in 1980 while stationed in Okinawa, Japan with the US Air Force. Since that time I have had the opportunity to train in different martial arts systems, both overseas and within the United States. Of the many places I have trained, Gracie Barra Irvine stands out as one of the most professional organizations I have been privileged to attend. The most important component of the Gracie Barra organization are the instructors themselves. They are truly engaged with the students and display a strong desire to help the students learn. Even though one is learning some great fighting technique, the focus is on self improvement. This philosophy of helping others succeed starts at the top with Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and flows down throughout the entire system of instructors. This is also evidenced in the way the advanced students are always willing to help out the beginning students. During the last two years of training at Gracie Barra Irvine, I have been privileged to train with some great instructors to include Master Carlos and Professor Marcio. However, most of my training has been under the direction of Professor Kayron. It has been a great experience watching him transistion from brown belt to black belt, and I know that he will be a great instructor in the years to come. He is always ready to show the student the finer details of a technique and to help them recognize mistakes and improve on their Jiu-Jitsu game. He exemplifies everything a great instructor should be and I look forward to watching him grow as a fighter and instructor. I don’t have the appropriate words to thank Master Carlos and all of the instructors at Gracie Barra Irvine for bringing this opportunity to us. But I will say that my support for this organization will be a lifelong commitment. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a great training experience.”

-Malcom McNeil

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“What supernatural coincidence or chance that one day,Gracie Barra, the largest and most successful Brazilian Jiujitsu Academy would arrive in Orange County to teach the highest level of Brazilian Jiujitsu? Well…it happened in 2005! I recall clearly when I first met Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and Professor Marcio Feitosa. They were as humble and warm hearted as they come. I felt at home immediately.Finally, a school of structure, respect, synergy, and unlimited knowledge to draw from. Like many other, with my stress of daily life on a personal and business level, it’s “my time” at Gracie Barra to unwind, decompress and be one self again. ”

- Alex Hisiung.

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“My son, Reese and I train at the Gracie Barra Academy in Irvine. I have studied martial arts all my life and have found the organization and instruction at this school to be world class. My son and I like the atmosphere of learning and friendship that pervades this academy. The instructors have a great knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu and are able to communicate it to us in a structured methodology that allows us to learn and apply the technique as well as relate it to the rest of the techniques we have learned.”

- Derek Nakagawa.

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“I started Gracie Barra in August of 2005 and want to share with you how extremely beneficial the whole experience has been for me. I have found more balance in my life. I feel in better control of my emotions and I find I am generally more relaxed, am able to cope with stress better, and of course, feel more confident about being able to defend myself if the need ever arises. The instructors, “Marcio and Andre” seem to have unlimited amounts of patience. ”

- Jeff Weins

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It is difficult for me to sum up everything that I want to say about Marcio Feitosa in just a few sentences. I hope that the testimony that I do provide serves him justice. He is a role model for me in numerous ways, not only in the sport of Jiu Jitsu, but also as a teacher and a role model in life. I was blessed with the opportunity to teach alongside Marcio Feitosa for ten years in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and then yet again for a while in California, USA. In Marcio’s academy in California, I witnessed the respect that he is given in his academy. The respect goes both ways, the students have a tremendous amount of respect for Marcio and Marcio has an enormous amount of admiration for his students. Marcio has not only taught me everything that I know about Jiu Jitsu but also has taught me numerous life lessons, for which I am very grateful. “

- Marcelo Souza

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“Any person familiar with martial arts, but especially BJJ, knows that there is far more to being an instructor than having a black belt. There are many with black belts that shouldn’t even have them. Let alone teach others. And, there is far more to building a successful academy than the number of students that pay tuition. It is the type of student that is important. And, few other academies that I have seen, have the type of instructors and students that Gracie Barra has.I suppose it all comes from Carlos Jr., his father and his uncle. Man, its family. It doesn’t matter whether you`re in Manila, Rio or Irvine. If you`re Gracie Barra, you’re all right. That’s why I allow my young son(s) to train there. 15 years from now, when they win the Worlds, they will proudly claim Gracie Barra as do I.”

- Richard Wilner.
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“I have trained at a few places before I landed with Gracie Barra, so I know how lucky I am to train with you guys. From day one, you guys made me feel welcome and part of the group. The academy is truly a family. We revel in each other’s accomplishments on and off the mats. The physical training and Jiu-Jitsu you guys teach is second to none, and no doubt my Jiu-Jitsu has gotten much better since I joined the Gracie Barra family. But its more than that, you guys also teach and practice a philosophy which encapsulates things like loyalty, perseverance, hard work and brotherhood. So while I’m a better Jiu-Jitsu player because of Gracie Barra, I’d also like to think I’m also a better person because I’m part of the GB family, and isn’t that what its really about?”

- Alfredo Gomez.
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“I started Gracie Jiu Jitsu at another well recognized facility in late 2003 and decided to temporarily stop my training in Nov 2004 when my wife and I had our first child. When I learned about Gracie Barra America opening near my home, I was very excited and eager to join. However, after being away for about a year, I was a little nervous about not being able to remember what I`ve learned in the past. The Professors have made me feel comfortable and part of the family from the very first day. Thanks to them, their unparalleled instructions, patience and encouragement have turned my nervous energy into confidence. Through them, I`ve learned that once Jiu Jitsu is in you, it`s in you for life! Thank you Gracie Jiu Jitsu and thank you Gracie Barra! Let`s roll!!”

- Glen Fujiwara.
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Gracie Barra is an exceptional school. The instruction and program is first-rate and the people are awesome. Before joining Gracie Barra, I looked at many other schools and I found that none of them compare to the program at Gracie Barra. The experience and teaching ability that the Professors bring to the school is world-class. Also, their passion for Jiu-Jitsu really shows and it makes the program that much stronger. I have benefited a lot from training at Gracie Barra. Besides learning practical self-defense techniques, I have gotten in great shape and I have increased my confidence level. The training has also helped me in other areas of my life. I would highly recommend Gracie Barra to anyone – It`s the best that Jiu-Jitsu has to offer

- Jeffrey Haig
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“When I first entered the wide welcoming doors of Gracie Barra America, I felt the warmth and the hospitality of the Staff. It felt like I have known them for years. Then I saw one of the legends of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie Jr., I was in awe. So no questions asked, I signed up automatically. Why everybody loves them is that they will make everybody feel not just very comfortable but treat them as one of a family member.Also, their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program is of top world class quality. You can not get any better than this. I feel very lucky not just to be training here but the mere fact to belong to a family Gracie Barra. This is a dream come true to me. Marcio Feitosa gave me my very first stripe and I would never forget the exact words he said to me, “Now you are one step closer to the black belt. I know that the black belt takes years to achieve and I am still very far away but with that statement coming from Marcio alone keeps me training and aiming for the prestigious Black Belt. Andre Fernandez is like giving private classes every time I spar with him. He gives me pointers and shows me what to do. I have been with Gracie Barra since early 2005 and have witnessed the many ups and downs the academy has experienced. Their have been many challenges already that Gracie Barra America have faced. These challenges did not break Gracie Barra down, instead made an even stronger Gracie Barra America. Watch out, this academy is reborn and ready to rock the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world. Thank you very much and more power to Gracie Barra America.”

- Giancarlo Banagon

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“All one needs to do is put on a kimono and step on the mats at Barra America to realize that they are participating in something very special. Not only the Professors offer an unparalleled knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu, but their love for Jiu-Jitsu as a way of life is infectious. Whether one is taking their first Jiu-Jitsu lesson, or has been on the mats all their lives, each will immediately notice that they are learning under one of the premier Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the world.”

- Steve Kim.

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” Gracie Barra is the greatest school in the world not only for it’s great instructors but the atmosphere it has. No school that I have been to can replicate what we have here, not only is it a place to learn Jiu-Jitsu it`s a place to meet new friends.”

- Paul Barbosa

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“My journey began in late 2005, just prior to my 40th birthday……at that time I could have never imagined the impact that Jiu Jitsu would have on me moving forward. The entire Gracie Barra America family has been such a positive influence in my life. I have learned many lessons and virtues both on and off the mats from my team mates; Humility, Respect, Discipline and Vision are just a few. The professors that are teaching our classes are truly world champions in every sense of the word, with endless amounts of patients and understanding towards their students, we are blessed to be training with such wonderful individuals. Gracie Barra is an authentic family that embraces each member and encourages their personal development and overall well being through Jiu Jitsu. I am in the best physical and mental well being of my entire life; I no longer drink or smoke and am living a healthy Jiu jitsu lifestyle to the fullest.I am continually encouraging anyone that inquires, take a class……it might just change your life.

-Brian Rubin