O professor · Fortaleza → Cincinnati
Jorge Gurgel. Born in Fortaleza, Brazil. Fifth-degree black belt, Muay Thai kru, UFC veteran — and the reason this academy exists.
His story
Jorge started Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Fortaleza in 1992, at fourteen, and moved to the United States in 1998 to fight.
Marcus Aurélio awarded his black belt in 2002, under team SAS. Today he is a fifth-degree black belt under Sazinho Sá, and a Muay Thai kru under Ajarn Scott Howard.
In 2005 he became the first Brazilian-born fighter on The Ultimate Fighter. His fight with Diego Saraiva at UFC 73 won Fight of the Night. He headlined for Strikeforce, Titan FC, King of the Cage and ZST in Japan, and since 2010 he has been the UFC’s interpreter for Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking fighters.
Out of his rooms have come Rich Franklin, Dustin Hazelett, Matt Brown, Justin Edwards and others who reached the UFC and Bellator. He teaches that same standard to the people who aren’t trying to fight for a living — kids, first-timers, and everyone in between.
The professor
- 1992Starts jiu-jitsu in Fortaleza, Brazil. He is fourteen.
- 1998Moves to the United States to fight.
- 2002Black belt from Marcus Aurélio, team SAS.
- 2005First Brazilian-born fighter on The Ultimate Fighter.
- UFC 73Fight of the Night against Diego Saraiva.
- 2010Becomes the UFC’s interpreter for Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking fighters.
- NowFifth-degree black belt under Sazinho Sá. Muay Thai kru under Ajarn Scott Howard. On the mat in West Chester.
Out of his rooms, to the UFC & BellatorRich Franklin Dustin Hazelett Matt Brown Justin Edwards
Os treinadores — the coaches
Black belts, senseis and a striking coach. Meet some of the people who run the room.
- 01
Head professor
Professor Jorge Gurgel
Fortaleza-born fifth-degree black belt and UFC veteran. Teaches kids and adults, gi and no-gi, and runs Saturday’s Muay Thai sparring.
- 02
Jiu-jitsu
Professor D’Andre McMillan
Black belt under Jorge Gurgel. Teaches the Gi fundamentals class.
- 03
Jiu-jitsu
Coach Chris Hale
Smoke. Thirteen years on the kids mat, and the evening no-gi room.
- 04
Judo
Sensei Markus West
Judo for the kids program.
- 05
Judo
Sensei Kameron Williams
Judo, and Friday’s midday classes.
- 06
Muay Thai
Coach Zane McMullin
Striking coach. Competed out of this gym before he started teaching it.
- 07
Women’s jiu-jitsu
Coach Anna
Leads the women’s program. Trains under Professor Gurgel.
- 08
Jiu-jitsu
Coach Stan Owens
Purple belt. Started later in life and teaches from that path.
- 09
Jiu-jitsu
Coach Joe Duffy
Early morning gi and no-gi.
- 10
Jiu-jitsu
Coach Lindsay
On the mat with the adult and kids rooms.
Vem treinar
Come train.
Your first class is the hardest one to show up to. After that, it’s just training.