Rodrigo Mendes

Owner / Head Instructor

Rank: 2nd Degree Black Belt

• 1st Place American Nationals No-Gi Absolute 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place American Nationals No-Gi 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place American Nationals Gi 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place Pan Ams No Gi 2008 (New York-USA)
• 2nd Place AM Nationals No Gi 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place AM Nationals open class 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place American Nationals 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2008 (California -USA)
• 3rd Place Worlds No Gi 2007 (California -USA)
• State Champion (Orlando/Florida -USA) 2006
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2006 (California -USA)
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2005 (California -USA)
• 2nd Place Panamerican 2004 brown belt (California)
• 3rd Place Battle on the Beach /Pro Div 2004 (New Jersey)
• Among other Titles not herein mentioned...

Rodrigo Mendes Started his training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu sometime during 1995 in Rio De Janeiro Brazil. He first discovered his calling to teach as a blue belt when he would be asked to help teach the other students in his class. Mastering the art quickly, in 2002 Rodrigo moved to the united states and without being able to speaking hardly a word of English, Opened his first RMBJJ Academy  in the state of Massachusetts. In 2004 Professor Andre "Dedeco" Almeida aka:The champion maker, awarded Rodrigo Mendes his Black Belt in Rockland Massachusetts. Rodrigo continues to teach BJJ today because he feels it is his calling in life.

"In my career as a fighter I have won many tournaments like world games, panamerican and nationals (to mention a few) but the most important to me was to be awarded my black belt. Since I was a white belt in Brazilian doctors told me that I would NEVER be able to successfully train Bjj due to a herniated disc in my back. I didn't  just make it to a black belt but became a winning fighter and a great teacher along the way . It's great to see a new student come in without knowing anything and after a short while, get really good, become great people in their personal life and best of all, become part of our family."

Rodrigo Mendes follows and teaches Gracie Barra Brazilian jiu-jitsu. "It's the best and the most complete program on the market. We follow a curriculum that has continually proven it self to be the most effective over the years in the streets as self-defense and on the mats winning competition after competition."

Practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is what keeps me going everyday, Jiu-Jitsu is not only a martial arts but a lifestyle. I see it everyday in my students, once they get hooked on BJJ, they can't stop. It becomes part of your DNA for life. The second great thing about the sport is the brotherhood that we have on and off the mats, our students become more aware and take better care of their bodies, become more respectful with others, I would say even better citizens in society!

Rodrigo Mendes

Owner / Head Instructor

Rank: 2nd Degree Black Belt

• 1st Place American Nationals No-Gi Absolute 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place American Nationals No-Gi 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place American Nationals Gi 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place Pan Ams No Gi 2008 (New York-USA)
• 2nd Place AM Nationals No Gi 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place AM Nationals open class 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place American Nationals 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2008 (California -USA)
• 3rd Place Worlds No Gi 2007 (California -USA)
• State Champion (Orlando/Florida -USA) 2006
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2006 (California -USA)
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2005 (California -USA)
• 2nd Place Panamerican 2004 brown belt (California)
• 3rd Place Battle on the Beach /Pro Div 2004 (New Jersey)
• Among other Titles not herein mentioned...

Rodrigo Mendes Started his training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu sometime during 1995 in Rio De Janeiro Brazil. He first discovered his calling to teach as a blue belt when he would be asked to help teach the other students in his class. Mastering the art quickly, in 2002 Rodrigo moved to the united states and without being able to speaking hardly a word of English, Opened his first RMBJJ Academy  in the state of Massachusetts. In 2004 Professor Andre "Dedeco" Almeida aka:The champion maker, awarded Rodrigo Mendes his Black Belt in Rockland Massachusetts. Rodrigo continues to teach BJJ today because he feels it is his calling in life.

"In my career as a fighter I have won many tournaments like world games, panamerican and nationals (to mention a few) but the most important to me was to be awarded my black belt. Since I was a white belt in Brazilian doctors told me that I would NEVER be able to successfully train Bjj due to a herniated disc in my back. I didn't  just make it to a black belt but became a winning fighter and a great teacher along the way . It's great to see a new student come in without knowing anything and after a short while, get really good, become great people in their personal life and best of all, become part of our family."

Rodrigo Mendes follows and teaches Gracie Barra Brazilian jiu-jitsu. "It's the best and the most complete program on the market. We follow a curriculum that has continually proven it self to be the most effective over the years in the streets as self-defense and on the mats winning competition after competition."

Practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is what keeps me going everyday, Jiu-Jitsu is not only a martial arts but a lifestyle. I see it everyday in my students, once they get hooked on BJJ, they can't stop. It becomes part of your DNA for life. The second great thing about the sport is the brotherhood that we have on and off the mats, our students become more aware and take better care of their bodies, become more respectful with others, I would say even better citizens in society!

Rodrigo Mendes

Owner / Head Instructor

Rank: 2nd Degree Black Belt

• 1st Place American Nationals No-Gi Absolute 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place American Nationals No-Gi 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place American Nationals Gi 2011 (California-USA)
• 1st Place Pan Ams No Gi 2008 (New York-USA)
• 2nd Place AM Nationals No Gi 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place AM Nationals open class 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place American Nationals 2008 (California-USA)
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2008 (California -USA)
• 3rd Place Worlds No Gi 2007 (California -USA)
• State Champion (Orlando/Florida -USA) 2006
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2006 (California -USA)
• 3rd Place Panamerican 2005 (California -USA)
• 2nd Place Panamerican 2004 brown belt (California)
• 3rd Place Battle on the Beach /Pro Div 2004 (New Jersey)
• Among other Titles not herein mentioned...

Rodrigo Mendes Started his training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu sometime during 1995 in Rio De Janeiro Brazil. He first discovered his calling to teach as a blue belt when he would be asked to help teach the other students in his class. Mastering the art quickly, in 2002 Rodrigo moved to the united states and without being able to speaking hardly a word of English, Opened his first RMBJJ Academy  in the state of Massachusetts. In 2004 Professor Andre "Dedeco" Almeida aka:The champion maker, awarded Rodrigo Mendes his Black Belt in Rockland Massachusetts. Rodrigo continues to teach BJJ today because he feels it is his calling in life.

"In my career as a fighter I have won many tournaments like world games, panamerican and nationals (to mention a few) but the most important to me was to be awarded my black belt. Since I was a white belt in Brazilian doctors told me that I would NEVER be able to successfully train Bjj due to a herniated disc in my back. I didn't  just make it to a black belt but became a winning fighter and a great teacher along the way . It's great to see a new student come in without knowing anything and after a short while, get really good, become great people in their personal life and best of all, become part of our family."

Rodrigo Mendes follows and teaches Gracie Barra Brazilian jiu-jitsu. "It's the best and the most complete program on the market. We follow a curriculum that has continually proven it self to be the most effective over the years in the streets as self-defense and on the mats winning competition after competition."

Practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is what keeps me going everyday, Jiu-Jitsu is not only a martial arts but a lifestyle. I see it everyday in my students, once they get hooked on BJJ, they can't stop. It becomes part of your DNA for life. The second great thing about the sport is the brotherhood that we have on and off the mats, our students become more aware and take better care of their bodies, become more respectful with others, I would say even better citizens in society!

Tim Bruce

Assitant Instructor

Rank: Black Belt

Tim Bruce began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1998 in Delaware. After a short while, he entered into local tournaments throughout the north eastern U.S. and was very successful winning divisions as a middleweight. In 2000 he traveled to Brazil where he studied Jiu Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, Vitoria and Salvador. When he returned to the US he moved back to New York where he continued training under Black Belts Sean Alvarez and Rob Gutierrez up through his purple belt. Tim competed at this time in many tournaments and Mixed Martial Arts competitions, including the New York State Grappling Championships, NAGA, Grappler’s Quest and Pan American Championships as well as fighting in the Vale Tudo and Mass Destruction MMA tournaments. He currently holds the rank of Black Belt in BJJ and is still an active competitor fighting some of the very best BJJ Black Belts in the world. In the past year alone, Tim has fought and coached in Naga, Grapplers quest, Jupiter Jiu Jitsu championships the Florida state championships, IBJJF competitions, the World championships and the Abu Dhabi pro trials.

Tim began teaching Jiu Jitsu in 2003 where he started the 1st New York State high school Jiu Jitsu program at Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers N.Y.. Prior to that he helped start the Eugene Moleska Boxing program in the Bronx, where he taught boxing after school to middle school students. Tim is a high school science teacher in Palm Beach County and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education. He has coached Varsity high school athletics for over a decade and was awarded the 2006 and 2007 Palm Beach County Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year by the Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post Newspapers. He is also a trained and certified EMT and volunteer firefighter for Palm Beach County. Tim and his wife moved to Florida where he met his current instructor, Professor 2nd degree Black Belt Rodrigo Mendes who awarded him his Brown and Black belts. He has been training and teaching classes with Rodrigo at Rodrigo’s main academy in Delray since 2009. Tim runs the BJJ program for Rodrigo in Jupiter at the Jupiter boxing club. You can see Tim and Rodrigo in the video section of this site. Tim Bruce is a certified IBJJF referee and the current head coach of the Jupiter Jiu Jitsu fight team. You can view his blog at WWW.TBJ2.COM

Tim Bruce

Assitant Instructor

Rank: Black Belt

Tim Bruce began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1998 in Delaware. After a short while, he entered into local tournaments throughout the north eastern U.S. and was very successful winning divisions as a middleweight. In 2000 he traveled to Brazil where he studied Jiu Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, Vitoria and Salvador. When he returned to the US he moved back to New York where he continued training under Black Belts Sean Alvarez and Rob Gutierrez up through his purple belt. Tim competed at this time in many tournaments and Mixed Martial Arts competitions, including the New York State Grappling Championships, NAGA, Grappler’s Quest and Pan American Championships as well as fighting in the Vale Tudo and Mass Destruction MMA tournaments. He currently holds the rank of Black Belt in BJJ and is still an active competitor fighting some of the very best BJJ Black Belts in the world. In the past year alone, Tim has fought and coached in Naga, Grapplers quest, Jupiter Jiu Jitsu championships the Florida state championships, IBJJF competitions, the World championships and the Abu Dhabi pro trials.

Tim began teaching Jiu Jitsu in 2003 where he started the 1st New York State high school Jiu Jitsu program at Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers N.Y.. Prior to that he helped start the Eugene Moleska Boxing program in the Bronx, where he taught boxing after school to middle school students. Tim is a high school science teacher in Palm Beach County and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education. He has coached Varsity high school athletics for over a decade and was awarded the 2006 and 2007 Palm Beach County Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year by the Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post Newspapers. He is also a trained and certified EMT and volunteer firefighter for Palm Beach County. Tim and his wife moved to Florida where he met his current instructor, Professor 2nd degree Black Belt Rodrigo Mendes who awarded him his Brown and Black belts. He has been training and teaching classes with Rodrigo at Rodrigo’s main academy in Delray since 2009. Tim runs the BJJ program for Rodrigo in Jupiter at the Jupiter boxing club. You can see Tim and Rodrigo in the video section of this site. Tim Bruce is a certified IBJJF referee and the current head coach of the Jupiter Jiu Jitsu fight team. You can view his blog at WWW.TBJ2.COM

Tim Bruce

Assitant Instructor

Rank: Black Belt

Tim Bruce began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1998 in Delaware. After a short while, he entered into local tournaments throughout the north eastern U.S. and was very successful winning divisions as a middleweight. In 2000 he traveled to Brazil where he studied Jiu Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, Vitoria and Salvador. When he returned to the US he moved back to New York where he continued training under Black Belts Sean Alvarez and Rob Gutierrez up through his purple belt. Tim competed at this time in many tournaments and Mixed Martial Arts competitions, including the New York State Grappling Championships, NAGA, Grappler’s Quest and Pan American Championships as well as fighting in the Vale Tudo and Mass Destruction MMA tournaments. He currently holds the rank of Black Belt in BJJ and is still an active competitor fighting some of the very best BJJ Black Belts in the world. In the past year alone, Tim has fought and coached in Naga, Grapplers quest, Jupiter Jiu Jitsu championships the Florida state championships, IBJJF competitions, the World championships and the Abu Dhabi pro trials.

Tim began teaching Jiu Jitsu in 2003 where he started the 1st New York State high school Jiu Jitsu program at Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers N.Y.. Prior to that he helped start the Eugene Moleska Boxing program in the Bronx, where he taught boxing after school to middle school students. Tim is a high school science teacher in Palm Beach County and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education. He has coached Varsity high school athletics for over a decade and was awarded the 2006 and 2007 Palm Beach County Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year by the Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post Newspapers. He is also a trained and certified EMT and volunteer firefighter for Palm Beach County. Tim and his wife moved to Florida where he met his current instructor, Professor 2nd degree Black Belt Rodrigo Mendes who awarded him his Brown and Black belts. He has been training and teaching classes with Rodrigo at Rodrigo’s main academy in Delray since 2009. Tim runs the BJJ program for Rodrigo in Jupiter at the Jupiter boxing club. You can see Tim and Rodrigo in the video section of this site. Tim Bruce is a certified IBJJF referee and the current head coach of the Jupiter Jiu Jitsu fight team. You can view his blog at WWW.TBJ2.COM

Anderson Pinto

Assistant BJJ Instructor, Head MMA Coach

Rank: Brown Belt

Anderson Pinto was born in Rio de Janeiro Brazil and moved to the United States in 1987 with his family. He practices and teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Anderson has throughout his life been involved with Martial Arts from training Kickboxing, Capoera and Aikijutsu. Anderson Pinto has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA since 2005. In 2008 Anderson started to train with Master Rodrigo Mendes at RMBJJ Academy where he was awarded his purple belt and later brown belt. Anderson  continues to train and teach at RMBJJ Academy as well as his 2 children. He has competed at various tournaments like IBJJF, NAGA and Florida Grappling Championship. "Once you start to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu it becomes part of your DNA. Stop by to meet him or send Anderson an email with any questions….Ossss!!

Anderson Pinto

Assistant BJJ Instructor, Head MMA Coach

Rank: Brown Belt

Anderson Pinto was born in Rio de Janeiro Brazil and moved to the United States in 1987 with his family. He practices and teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Anderson has throughout his life been involved with Martial Arts from training Kickboxing, Capoera and Aikijutsu. Anderson Pinto has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA since 2005. In 2008 Anderson started to train with Master Rodrigo Mendes at RMBJJ Academy where he was awarded his purple belt and later brown belt. Anderson  continues to train and teach at RMBJJ Academy as well as his 2 children. He has competed at various tournaments like IBJJF, NAGA and Florida Grappling Championship. "Once you start to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu it becomes part of your DNA. Stop by to meet him or send Anderson an email with any questions….Ossss!!

Anderson Pinto

Assistant BJJ Instructor, Head MMA Coach

Rank: Brown Belt

Anderson Pinto was born in Rio de Janeiro Brazil and moved to the United States in 1987 with his family. He practices and teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Anderson has throughout his life been involved with Martial Arts from training Kickboxing, Capoera and Aikijutsu. Anderson Pinto has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA since 2005. In 2008 Anderson started to train with Master Rodrigo Mendes at RMBJJ Academy where he was awarded his purple belt and later brown belt. Anderson  continues to train and teach at RMBJJ Academy as well as his 2 children. He has competed at various tournaments like IBJJF, NAGA and Florida Grappling Championship. "Once you start to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu it becomes part of your DNA. Stop by to meet him or send Anderson an email with any questions….Ossss!!

Anthony Panos

Assistant Instructor (Kids,Teens)

Rank: Purple Belt

Anthony Panos began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 after his wife signed him up for a seminar at RMBJJ Academy. Two hours later he was hooked. He Has been training since then almost non-stop, sometimes taking two or three classes a day. Anthony's dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed  at RMBJJ Academy and Anthony began teaching kids classes in early 2010 as an assistant coach. Anthony realized how much fun it was training others. Not only was he able to pass on his knowledge, but it helped  improve his own techniques as a student. Anthony's 5 year old son has been training ji-jitsu for nearly a year now and attends the same classes he teaches.

"Jiu-Jitsu drives me and has taught me more about my self than I ever thought possible."

Anthony Panos

Assistant Instructor (Kids,Teens)

Rank: Purple Belt

Anthony Panos began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 after his wife signed him up for a seminar at RMBJJ Academy. Two hours later he was hooked. He Has been training since then almost non-stop, sometimes taking two or three classes a day. Anthony's dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed  at RMBJJ Academy and Anthony began teaching kids classes in early 2010 as an assistant coach. Anthony realized how much fun it was training others. Not only was he able to pass on his knowledge, but it helped  improve his own techniques as a student. Anthony's 5 year old son has been training ji-jitsu for nearly a year now and attends the same classes he teaches.

"Jiu-Jitsu drives me and has taught me more about my self than I ever thought possible."

Anthony Panos

Assistant Instructor (Kids,Teens)

Rank: Purple Belt

Anthony Panos began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 after his wife signed him up for a seminar at RMBJJ Academy. Two hours later he was hooked. He Has been training since then almost non-stop, sometimes taking two or three classes a day. Anthony's dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed  at RMBJJ Academy and Anthony began teaching kids classes in early 2010 as an assistant coach. Anthony realized how much fun it was training others. Not only was he able to pass on his knowledge, but it helped  improve his own techniques as a student. Anthony's 5 year old son has been training ji-jitsu for nearly a year now and attends the same classes he teaches.

"Jiu-Jitsu drives me and has taught me more about my self than I ever thought possible."