The Rio Grappling Club started as a sports society in 2003 at SOAS University of London by Roberto Atalla, who moved that year to Europe and started teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Grappling at SOAS. In 2004 Roberto met Mauro Chueng, a former training partner that was also living in Europe. Based in Algarve, Portugal, Mauro was more into No Gi and together they started a team that now extends beyond European borders, with more than 100 clubs in 3 continents.

The name Rio Grappling Club is a tribute to one of the best BJJ competition teams that existed in the 90’s in Rio de Janeiro. Masters Murilo Bustamante and Sergio Souza, both now coral belts under legendary Carlson Gracie Senior, united their groups and formed a team called Rio Jiu-Jitsu Club. Despite the success in major tournaments, disputes between Murilo and Sergio divided that team, which no longer exists. Roberto and Mauro met there and shared the mats for over two years, where both received their black belts.

Since the beginning, Roberto and Mauro had the vision to train with and without the Gi, and because of that, it was more adequate to call its name Rio Grappling Club, a tribute to their former team and a message that the sport can be practiced regardless of uniform or specific rules.

Nowadays Mauro still lives in Algarve, south of Portugal, while Roberto splits his time between Poland, Brazil and trips to many countries. Joined by their best students worldwide, the team grows steadily and has affiliated teams in 18 European countries, Brazil, South Africa, Canada and the USA.

In Europe we have groups in Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Belgium, Croatia, England, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia and Ukraine.

Our goal is to deliver a great environment suitable for kids and adults, men and women from all ages and technical levels, where respect and safety are taken seriously.

A pioneer that visited 40 countries bringing his teachings, Roberto Atalla wants to expand the Rio Grappling Club to Asia and South America. If you are a coach and you think that you belong here, contact us to schedule a possible visit and find out what it takes to become part of our team.