Gracie Barra Chicago-West Loop
Instructors
All individuals qualified to teach at our school are certified by the Gracie Barra Instructors Certification Program (ICP). GB Instructors are held responsible to high standards of etiquette, instruction, and philosophy set by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and the Gracie Barra Association. Additionally, to maintain the integrity and focus on safety in our classes, all instructors are required to be CPR/Basic First Aid certified.
Gracie Barra Chicago-West Loop
Instructors
Here at Gracie Barra Chicago-West Loop, our staff is the secret to our student success. Each instructor has a rich background in martial arts and is eager to train the next generation of martial artists. Meet the team below!
Owner and Head Instructor
Professor Marcio Feitosa
Professor Marcio Feitosa is the Co-Founder of Gracie Barra Headquarters. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, he is a primary example of a man who is fully dedicating his life to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Barra, and its members. Prof. Feitosa’s witty personality, enthusiasm, integrity, and leadership make the essence of GB Headquarters and touch all those around him. An outstanding competition background qualifies him as one of the best lightweight competitors in BJJ history. He collects many titles such as a 3-time World BJJ Champion and Abu-Dhabi Champion, Brazilian Nationals, Brazilian Team Tournament, and the Pan American Championships.
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Head Instructor
Professor Carlos Lemos Jr.
Prof. Carlos Lemos Jr. was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, being the son of Carlos Lemos (Senior) and Tulla Lemos. He was introduced to martial arts at the age of 3 through Tae Kwon Do and moved to Judo when he was 10 years old, where he achieved great results. Lemos was also an avid surfer who may have turned pro if not for Jiu Jitsu.
Prof. Lemos’s first coaches were none other than three legends of the sport: Professors Roberto “Gordo”, Alexandre “Soca” Carneiro and Renzo Gracie. He was graded as a blue belt by Prof. Gordo and became an assistant coach at his gym, one of the GB schools in Rio. Once Prof. Gordo moved to Sao Paulo, Carlos started to train under Master Carlos Gracie Junior, who advanced him in the main Gracie Barra school in Brazil from blue belt to black belt. In October of 2001, Lemos established an exceptional BJJ fighting career in Brazil and international.
Prof. Lemos attended Law school at the University Estacio de Sa, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for four years. Eventually inspired by his master’s passion for the art, Lemos decided to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and was given the opportunity to become Master Carlos Gracie Jr.’s personal assistant instructor. During his group classes, Lemos sharpened his teaching skills. Seen as a bright promise by Master Carlos Gracie Jr., Lemos was encouraged to learn different languages. Master Gracie had the vision back in the 90′s that Gracie Barra one day would turn into a worldwide organization. His vision was fulfilled a decade later.
In 2002, after a becoming a Black belt World Champion, Lemos, now a Professor, shot his first series of DVDs for the “LEGENDS OF GRACIE BARRA”.
In 2003, Professor Lemos was invited to live for a couple of months in South Korea to expand the GB family in the Far East and spread Brazilian Jiu Jitsu there. Once there, he became the first Brazilian to teach martial arts on Korean soil.
In 2004, Prof. Lemos, was given the task to spread the Jiu Jitsu of Gracie Barra in Europe. “Escorrega” followed Master Gracie’s instructions and decided to move to England and resume his studies there. Now fluent in four languages and with communicating skills in another three, Lemos successfully built several Gracie Barra franchises on the continent where he graduated a couple BJJ black belts, namely: Niclas Gustafsson (2008) and Peter Berglund (2010) from Sweden, Salvatore Pace (Bristol- Bath Spa UK), (2013) Gibran Alvarez (Cancun /Playa del Carmen Mexico), Federico Tisi (Rome) who is the head of the Tribe JJ in Italy. In 2016 Prof Carlos formed again six new black belts in Europe black belts Mats Ekman, Pelle Röjfors , Andreas Widén , Kjell Abrahamssson ( All GB Gothenburg, Sweden ), Richard Weathrall- awarded by prof Lemos & prof Salvo Pace (GB Street, UK ), Markku Tapiola ( GB Finland ) and Professor Johan Ahlberg 2015 , Mattias Sandstrom (GB Ümea ) 2017, Danijel Brajcic ( GB Serbia) 2017, Pat Reeves- awarded by Prof Lemos & prof Salvo Pace ( GB Swindon) 2017 , Prof Hector Vargas ( GB Downers Grove) 2017 , Prof. Pedro Tello ( GB Downers Grove) 2017.
In December of 2008, after his adventure in Europe, Carlos moved to the United States as instructed by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. He made Chicago his new home, where he established himself and resumed his competitive career after almost a 5 year break. It was also in the United States that Carlos made his MMA debut in 2011.
Prof. Lemos has made Worlds, Pan Americans, National and International champions and has trained several UFC, PRIDE and K-1 fighters.
In 2015 Prof. Carlos Lemos Jr received his 5th degree from the hands of Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Some of the champions who trained with Prof Lemos: Salvo Pace, Federico Tisi, Ronnie Maan, Pele Reid, James Thompson, George St-Pierre, Spencer Fisher, Gibran Alvarez and Ryo Ominami.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Carlos Lemos Jr.
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ICP Certified Instructors
All individuals qualified to teach at our school are certified by the Gracie Barra Instructors Certification Program (ICP). GB Instructors are held responsible for high etiquette standards, instruction, and philosophy set by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and the Gracie Barra Association. Additionally, to maintain the integrity and focus on safety in our classes, all instructors are required to be CPR/Basic First Aid certified.
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Testimonials
Amazing place to learn Jiu-jitsu, get a good work out and make some really cool friends. A diverse group of people from all over the world. We train hard safely, laugh, and most importantly have fun. Perfect school for beginners up to expert level belts. Would highly recommend.
Ishmael A.
Student
An excellent school taught by a world champion who is extremely technical and very down to earth. It was a privilege to be in a class taught by Professor Marcio Feitosa. If you live in the area, this is the premier school with a thorough curriculum, consistent culture, great team members, and a place you’ll keep learning regardless of your experience or for competition or self-defense.
Tiger L.
Student
It’s a great academy that offers top-notch Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction. Professor Marcio Feitosa and the rest of the staff are awesome and have fostered a safe, team-oriented environment free from ego. You instantly feel very welcome there. I can’t recommend this academy enough.
Leo R.
Student
Professor Marcio Feitosa is a legend in the BJJ community, both as a Teacher and a Competitor. He’s also a great guy. Chicago’s West Loop is lucky to have him as their leader.
Sean C.
Student
I was at Gracie Barra West Loop for their 1st class today along with professor Marcio Feitosa, the environment and new students were first class. Definitely, the place to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in downtown Chicago with one of the best instructors! Really nice to see Gracie Barra growing with its high-quality instructions and facility. Will definitely be back to train again!
Marcelo S.
Student
Gracie Barra Chicago is a great place to get in shape, make friends, and learn something new. The instruction is world-class and the facilities are clean. I recommend training here to all of my friends and to anybody looking for a new challenge.
Rick Hill
Student