Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), unlike many other individual martial arts, carries a deep-rooted sense of community and team spirit. While an athlete competes alone on the mats, behind them stands a team that has significantly influenced their style, techniques, and approach to the sport. In this article, we will dive into ten of the most influential BJJ teams, their origins, Notable members, and more.

1. Gracie Barra

• Founder/Head: Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
• Established: 1986
• Notable Competitors: Romulo Barral, Braulio Estima, Otavio Sousa
• Competition Success: Numerous World Championship titles
• Distinguishing Features: Known for its structured curriculum and strong community spirit. They emphasize "Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone."

2. Alliance Jiu-Jitsu

• Founder/Head: Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti, co-founded with Fabio Gurgel & Alexandre Paiva.
• Established: 1993
• Notable Competitors: Marcelo Garcia, Lucas Lepri, Cobrinha
• Competition Success: Multiple team trophies at the IBJJF World Championships
• Distinguishing Features: A perfect blend of traditional and modern techniques with a rich competition legacy.

3. Atos Jiu-Jitsu

• Founder/Head: André Galvão & Ramon Lemos
• Established: 2008
• Notable Competitors: Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa, Josh Hinger
• Competition Success: Numerous Pan Jiu-Jitsu and World Championship titles
• Distinguishing Features: High competition drive and is at the forefront of modern BJJ techniques.

4. Checkmat

• Founder/Head: Leonardo Vieira & Ricardo Vieira
• Established: 2008
• Notable Competitors: Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida, Lucas Leite, Michelle Nicolini
• Competition Success: Multiple IBJJF team titles
• Distinguishing Features: A mix of traditional and modern BJJ with a strong emphasis on competition.

5. Team Lloyd Irvin

• Founder/Head: Lloyd Irvin
• Established: 1996
• Notable Competitors: DJ Jackson, Nyjah Easton
• Competition Success: Many national titles and medals in major tournaments.
• Distinguishing Features: Strong emphasis on the mental aspects of competition and innovative marketing techniques.

6. GF Team

• Founder/Head: Julio Cesar Pereira
• Established: 2007
• Notable Competitors: Rodolfo Vieira, Ricardo Evangelista, Jaime Canuto
• Competition Success: Numerous Brazilian National and World Championship titles
• Distinguishing Features: Strong roots in Rio de Janeiro with a focus on both fundamentals and competition.

7. Nova União

• Founder/Head: Wendell Alexander & André Pederneiras
• Established: 1995
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