INSTRUCTOR

Gracie Barra has many Instructors that teach classes and others that take key roles that are essential to the success of our organization. To insure our students understand the titles, we have listed the hierarchy and responsibilities associated with them. Click here to find out more.

Renato “Babalu” Sobral

Professor Renato “Babalu” Sobral is a first degree black belt under Carlos Gracie, Jr. A professional mixed martial artist for more than a decade, Babalu’s vision of having his own academy has materialized. Babalu is currently under contract with Strikeforce.

Voted Brazil’s Best Athlete of the Year in 2005, Babalu has had the privilege of training with, and learning from, some of the best of Master Carlos Gracie Jr. students, like Master Renzo Gracie, Prof. Ricardo Almeida, and Prof. Marcio Feitosa. Moreover, given his accomplishments in Greco-Roman wrestling, not to mention his military background fighting background, professional fighters from all camps including the Nogueira Brothers, Anderson Silva and Josh Barnett to name a few, have trained with or been trained by Renato “Babalu” Sobral.

Professor Sobral’s personal discipline and commitment to the integrity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are easily noted. His classes are remarkable due to the high level of attention, excitement, and discipline, as professor expects nothing but the best from each one of the students.

When not fighting professionally, Professor Sobral will be teaching and imparting his skills to students of all walks of life at his Academy in Cerritos, California. Join him on the mats.