Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Simon & Dave with Carlos Gracie Jnr
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a combat sport that emphasizes fighting on the ground. The aim is to use throws or take-downs to get the opponent to the ground and then to use grappling holds to control the opponent, finally using a choke, strangle or joint lock to make them submit.

BJJ is well known for its effectiveness in mixed martial arts, also known as Ultimate Fighting. It first came to prominence in the early 1990’s when Royce Gracie defeated Boxers, Karate and Kung Fu practitioners in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The term Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) is sometimes used interchangebly with Brazilian "jiu-jitsu", but is trademarked by Rorion Gracie.
A Brief History

In 1914 Mitsuyo Maeda migrated to Brazil, where he was instrumental in establishing a Japanese immigrant community. Maeda was helped by Gastão Gracie, a Brazilian scholar and politician of Scottish descent. Maeda had studied Judo during his time in Japan and in gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught the Brazilian's oldest son Carlos.
In 1925, Carlos and his brothers opened their first academy, and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was born in Brazil.
Carlos had many children including Carlson Gracie, Carley Gracie, Rolls Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr and Reyla Gracie (mother of Roger Gracie).
Gracie Barra

Carlos Gracie Jr (Carlinhos) established his own Jiu Jitsu academy in an area of Rio de Janeiro called Barra de Tijuca. Hence the name Gracie Barra. Many great BJJ fighters hail from here including Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie, Marcio Feitosa, Gordo, Machado Brothers, Nino, Roleta, Pe de Pano, Roger Gracie and many others. Gracie Barra fighters Renato 'Babalu' Sobral and Pe de Pano are UFC veterans.
Combat Academy Instructors
Simon and Dave with Carlos Gracie Jr
Machado Academy LA USA 2003
Instructor Lineage

The Chief Instructor for Gracie Barra UK is Mauricio Motta Gomes (father of Roger Gracie). Mauricio is one of the 'famous 5' awarded his black belt by Rolls Gracie, the son of Carlos Gracie Sr. In 2003 Combat Academy instructor Dave Coles was awarded his Blue Belt by Mauricio Gomes.
Mauricio Gomes 
Dave with Roger Gracie
Brazil 2004
Dave and Simon's instructor is Braulio Estima. Braulio is a Black Belt under Carlos Gracie Jr and is a World and Pan American Champion.

In August 2010 Braulio awarded Dave his Black Belt and Simon was awarded his Black Belt in August 2013.

Both Dave and Simon have competed in many BJJ competitions in the UK, America and Brazil. They have both made a number of trips to Brazil and trained full time at the legendary Gracie Barra Academy and at the Gordo Gracie Fusion Academy.
Instructor Lineage

Combat Academy Belt Register

All grades awarded by Braulio Estima > Dave Coles


Dave Coles
Simon Small
Richard Shore
Patrick Baker
Darrell James
Emma Baker
Steve Jayne
Dean Bradbury
Merv Harries
Chris Konieczny
Dan Buckley
Kris Edwards
Jamey Law
Marcin Grzeszczuk
Jack Marshman
Jack Shore
Owain Parry
Ty Husbands
Christian Tetley
Mark Thomas
Aleksandr Grikinis
Owain Parry
Ty Husbands
Shaine Redman
Nathan Owen
Kyle Prosser
Connor Eaton-Smith
Jeremy Kemp
Ian Glasper
Tom Gwilliam-Carter
Liam Doverman
Jack Shore
Joe Orrey
Josh Reed
Leon Rosser
Carl Keates-Corner
Simon Pearce
Graham Coles
Jason Kemp
Ricky Thomas
Shane Paull
Ryan Phelps
Martin McDonough
Darren Davies
Ashley Beaumont
Gareth Coles
Jack Marshman
Mike Jones
Timur Mercanoglu 
Shane Jones
Ryan Legge
Ash Amos
Barry Hopkins
Ben Oliver



Andy Blanchard
Tyler Davies
Dai Jenkins
Martin Evans
Jack Evans
Andrew Dudley
James Dickson
Lee Atkins
Haytham Mustapha
Martin Wilks
Lewis Cooper
Dane Morgan
Ben Phillips
Thomas Karpinski
Neil Preedy
Nick Hughes
Alexis Panayiotou
Hugh Griffiths
Paul James
Chris Jenkins
Gareth Willaims
Lee Russel
Dai Kray
Matthew Penny
Steve Wood
Kaitlyn Jefferies
Joel Clark
Owen Thomas
Wayne Lewis
Leigh Andrews
Karl Renshaw
Kelly Hopkins
Greg Morgan
Jason Bourne
Adam Evans
Ieuan Jones
Rhys Willets
Dane Assirati
Gareth Keech
Shane Evans
Connor Evans
Hywel Chaplin
Jamie Curtis
Richard Davies
Phil Whittall
Scott Haden
Dan Morris
Jamie Rees
Lewis Derrick
Art Malakauskas
Michal Stanek
Brian Knott
Neil Gardner
Rob Gardner


Black
Black
Black
Brown 1 Stripe
Brown
Purple 2 Stripe
Purple 1 Stripe
Purple
Purple
Purple
Purple
Purple
Purple
Purple
Purple
Purple
Purple
Purple
Blue 4 Stripe
Blue 4 Stripe
Blue 3 Stripe
Blue 3 Stripe
Blue 2 Stripe
Blue 2 Stripe
Blue 2 Stripe
Blue 2 Stripe
Blue 2 Stripe
Blue 2 Stripe
Blue 2 Stripe
Blue 1 Stripe
Blue 1 Stripe
Blue 1 Stripe
Blue 1 Stripe
Blue 1 Stripe
Blue 1 Stripe
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue
Blue



White 4 Stripe
White 4 Stripe
White 4 Stripe
White 4 Stripe
White 4 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 3 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 2 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe
White 1 Stripe

Date Belt Awarded

07/08/2010
04/08/2013
18/04/2015
05/02/2013
07/06/2014
24/02/2011
13/06/2012
22/05/2012
21/05/2013
23/06/2013
04/08/2013
17/07/2013
18/05/2014
28/03/2015
22/04/2015
22/04/2015
22/04/2015
23/04/2015
18/06/2011
02/08/2011
22/05/2012
20/02/2013
05/04/2011
23/06/2010
14/12/2011
13/06/2012
02/08/2011
05/04/2011
31/07/2012
02/08/2011
22/05/2012
03/10/2012
20/02/2013
20/02/2013
20/02/2013
02/10/2012
11/04/2009
30/03/2010
17/05/2011
18/09/2011
14/12/2011
20/02/2013
20/02/2013
20/02/2013
20/02/2013
15/06/2013
15/06/2013
17/07/2013
01/12/2013
04/12/2013
04/12/2013
27/01/2015
23/04/2015
09/06/2015

Date Stripe Awarded

13/12/2008
05/04/2011
14/12/2011
14/12/2011
20/02/2013
08/12/2011
20/02/2013
20/02/2013
01/10/2013
01/10/2013
04/12/2013
04/12/2013
04/12/2013
26/03/2014
20/04/2008
23/06/2010
07/08/2010
07/08/2010
18/06/2011
14/12/2011
05/04/2012
27/06/2012
20/02/2013
20/02/2013
26/03/2013
15/06/2013
18/09/2013
25/09/2013
01/10/2013
04/12/2013
07/06/2014
23/04/2015
26/02/2011
26/02/2011
18/06/2011
18/06/2011
18/06/2011
14/12/2011
14/12/2011
14/12/2011
05/04/2012
03/10/2012
20/02/2013
20/02/2013
19/03/2013
19/03/2013
22/03/2013
15/06/2013
17/07/2013
06/08/2013
06/08/2013
13/08/2013
01/10/2013
26/03/2014
The Combat Academy: 
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Belts

JUNIORS

White
Grey / White
Grey
Grey / Balck
Yellow / White
Yellow
Yellow / Black
Orange / White
Orange
Orange / Black
Green / White
Green
Green / Black

For each belt there are four stripes.

Promotions will only be awarded to those that have shown they can use 
the techniques of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a competitive environment, to defeat opponents of a similar size, age and grade to themselves.

With these belts, there are no pre-grading courses and no grading courses to pay for. In fact the belt will have no financial cost what so ever. 

It will however be a very expensive commitment of your time and the effort you put into your training, and will be a test of your fighting spirit every time you step on to the mat.

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