Grand Master Ricardo Murgel - Head Instructor - 9th Degree BJJ Red Belt:

Jiu Jitsu Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda » Carlos Gracie, Sr. » Helio Gracie » Flavio Behring » Ricardo Murgel

DOB: 09/16/1945 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

I am Ricardo Murgel, The Head Coach, Instructor, and Founder of the Union Team.  I am one of the few (less than 25) 9th Degree Masters of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the world.  I have a unique background, with no parallel to any other BJJ Master or Professor.  I am currently 74 years old.  l started my Martial Arts & Law Enforcement Journey at the age of 12, back in 1957, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.  I am a Judo Black belt, with extensive training in Boxing, Muay-Thai, Luta Livre (Free Style Grappling), Submission Grappling, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), as a competitor, Instructor, and Coach.  I also have weapons expertise covering edged and improvised weapons as well as firearms.  I am the only 9th Degree Grand Master of BJJ that also is certified by the Peace Officer Standard Training Council (P.O.S.T) as a Guest Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor.  I have been sharing my practical, hands on experience all over the world for more than four decades now. Read my full Q+A interview here. 

In the field of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts, my accomplishments speak for themselves.  I have trained and continue to train and coach hundreds of competitors, including dozens of World, National, and State BJJ and Submission Grappling champions.  I have also trained and coached MMA fighters in the Pride Championships and the UFC. 

As a Law Enforcement Instructor, with specialties in Extreme Close Quarters Combat and Science of Human Behavior (a.k.a. Management of Aggressive Behavior), I have instructed Law Enforcement Agencies all over the world, including Elite Forces.