PROFESSOR MARCUS BELLO

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I was born on August 24, 1975 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I grew up in Vila da Penha - a suburb of Rio de Janeiro.

I started my martial arts career in Judo when I was 6 years old. I started my martial arts journey to help my medical indication, help with bettering my focus, and discipline.

At the age of 7 I started competing in Judo at the state level. At the age of 9, I won the 1st interstate tournament in Minas Gerais. At the age of 13 I was called to be part of the Espaço Livre Academy / Hugo and Douglas Judo Team, where I started to emerge as an athlete. I was training with Professor Douglas Motta, soon I was State champion and was called to join the Rio de Janeiro team. At 15 I was champion of the Budokan Tournament in São Paulo. At 17 I was state champion once more, and called up to play in the Brazilian Championship representing Rio de Janeiro. At that time I had endured some losses in Judo on the ground (Newaza), it was when I was guided by my judo professor to train Jiu-Jitsu.

At the same time, I had the pleasure of starting to teach children. Motivated by the children's classes and the life of an athlete, I soon decided to study Physical Education in order to increase my knowledge and become a professional in high level athletes.

When I was 18, I went to train in the Gama Filho University team, one of the biggest fighting teams in Brazil, under the command of master Alfredo Dornelles. At Gama Filho University I obtained a scholarship as an athlete and was able to train and attend the Faculty of Physical Education. In 1995, Gama Filho college hosted a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu championship where all judo athletes were invited to fight. As I was already training Jiu-Jitsu at my old academy, I managed to stand out and be the only medalist on the judo team getting 3rd place in the Brazilian championship. After this championship with my Judo teacher Alfredo Dornelles, my Jiu-Jitsu teacher Julio César was called to teach classes at Universidade Gama Filho.

In 1998 I graduated college and in 1999 I moved to Aracaju where I opened the first Jiu-Jitsu branch at Universidade Gama Filho. I lived in Aracaju for 2 years long enough to build a successful team and leave a legacy that continues to deliver results to this day.

I returned to Rio de Janeiro in 2001 to work at Centro Esportivo Miecimo da Silva as a Jiu-Jitsu coach for the Rio de Janeiro City Hall. In 2009 I went to the Brazilian Navy to be a naval officer. In 2015 I decided to migrate to the United States to teach Jiu-Jitsu classes and continue the work of designing and defending our team.

Today, the fall of 2022 I find myself opening my 1st gym in the USA.