There are no shortcuts in learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so you can’t waste any minute with the wrong techniques or unqualified instructors. Knowing that, Gracie Barra Texas offers highly trained and certified instructors teaching off an unique system of curriculums tailored for different ages and BJJ experience levels. From self-defense to competition training, from white belt to black belt, from 4 years old and older, Gracie Barra has your back.
Master Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães is the head instructor of Gracie Barra Texas and GBBH, and a true pillar of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community. As a Coral Belt, he brings decades of dedication, discipline, and leadership to the mats, shaping the culture of our school with integrity and enthusiasm.
Master Draculino leads by example. His charisma and passion for the gentle art touch everyone around him, creating an environment that is challenging yet welcoming to students of all levels.
Proven on the Mats, Cages and Rings Before becoming a renowned mentor, Master Draculino proved his “grit” and technique against the best in the world. He is considered one of the top featherweight competitors in BJJ history, holding major titles including:
4x Pan American Champion
2x Brazilian National Champion
2x World BJJ Championship Silver Medalist
Strike Force Featherweight Winner & Abu-Dhabi Veteran
A Life Dedicated to Teaching Beyond his medals, Master Draculino’s true impact is seen in his students. He is recognized as one of the world’s most accomplished instructors, having graduated more than 500 Black Belts. He has mentored everyone from World and MMA champions to everyday practitioners looking to improve their lives.
His disciplined mindset also extends beyond martial arts; Master Vinicius is a law graduate from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), bringing intellect and structure to his teaching methods.
Your Journey Starts Here With over 30 years of teaching experience, Master Draculino is fully dedicated to his family and the Gracie Barra community.
When you train at Gracie Barra Texas, you can count on Master Draculino to be by your side. He is here to support your journey and help you achieve your goals, on and off the mats.
Professor Brandon Mullis boasts over 21 years of dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and earned his black belt in 2006. His journey began in the 8th grade when his father enrolled him in wrestling. After high school, he transitioned to Judo, eventually discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while attending college. In 2000, Professor Brandon’s path crossed with Professor Draculino at a seminar in Lubbock, TX, marking the start of a long and impactful relationship. He joined Gracie Barra Texas in 2010.
With a wealth of experience, Professor Brandon has taught, trained, and competed globally. Starting as a purple belt, he has accumulated over 15 years of teaching experience. His pursuit of excellence in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has taken him to Brazil and Japan, enriching his understanding of the art. Professor Brandon is a featured instructor in two Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructional DVD sets and has authored a technical book detailing the techniques and strategies from his competitive career.
As a committed lifelong student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Professor Brandon is dedicated to mentoring students at Gracie Barra Texas, both on and off the mats. His passion lies in sharing the vast knowledge he has accumulated and assisting each student in reaching their personal goals.
Major Accomplishments at Black Belt:
– 2014 World Masters Champion (IBJJF)
– 2013 European Champion (IBJJF)
– 2011 No-Gi World Champion (IBJJF)
– 2010 No-Gi World Champion (IBJJF)
– 2010 U.S. Open Champion
– 2009 No-Gi Pan American Champion (IBJJF)
– 3x Texas State Champion
– Current UFC BJJ Lightweight Champion
Professor Roberto “Berto” Rivas serves as the Head Instructor for Kids at Gracie Barra Texas and is a prominent figure within our school. With multiple IBJJF Houston Open titles and a victory in the Third Coast Grappling Super Fight at the Black Belt level, he has made a significant mark in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.
Roberto’s journey in Jiu-Jitsu began during his college years in 2010. After his very first class, he was captivated by the sport and committed to attending every session, despite the club’s limited schedule. His enthusiasm was so great that he soon introduced his younger brother, who was 16 at the time, to the art.
His connection to Gracie Barra was influenced by his first coach, Omar Sanchez, who had signed up at the local Gracie Barra in Webster. The welcoming atmosphere and the high level of training at Gracie Barra made Roberto feel at home instantly. The supportive yet challenging environment fostered his growth and solidified his dedication to Jiu-Jitsu.
Roberto joined Gracie Barra Texas as a front desk staff member, and within six months, he began assisting Professor Draculino with the kids’ classes. He is deeply grateful for his role, stating, “I am incredibly fortunate to have the position I have. Helping kids gain confidence, strength, and resiliency through this wonderful art we call Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is truly rewarding”
Professor Andressa Cintra began her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2010 at the age of 15 in a small city in southern Brazil. As the only girl on the mat at the time, she faced significant challenges, but her inherent athleticism and newfound discipline through Jiu-Jitsu transformed her life in remarkable ways.
Despite the initial difficulties, the rigorous training only fueled her passion for the sport. Professor Andressa’s dedication has since propelled her to become one of the leading female black belts in the world. Her impressive list of titles includes:
– 5x Adult Black Belt GI World Champion
– 2x Adult Black Belt No-Gi World Champion
– Pan American Champion (Adult Black Belt)
– 2x Black Belt Adult Brazilian National Champion
– 4x South American Champion (Color Belts)
– American National Champion (Adult Black Belt)
– And many more prestigious accolades
At Gracie Barra Texas, Professor Andressa brings her passion and expertise to both the adult and youth competition teams. She is committed to teaching and sharing the art of Jiu-Jitsu, which has profoundly impacted her life, with the next generation of practitioners.
Professor Lucas Valente’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey began as a child at Gracie Barra BH, Professor Draculino’s primary school in Brazil, influenced by his uncles who were long-time students of Draculino.
After a highly successful career as a colored belt, Lucas transitioned to coaching while continuing to excel on the mats. His dedication and skill led him to achieve black belt status in the USA, where he quickly rose to prominence in the lightweight division. Notably, he is recognized as one of the top-ranked black belts globally at the adult level. His competitive accolades include:
– No-Gi Adult Black Belt World Champion
– Gi Adult Black Belt Brazilian National Champion
– 3x Adult Black Belt Medalist (one silver, two bronze) at the IBJJF Gi World Championships
– 2x Adult Black Belt Medalist (one silver, one bronze) at the IBJJF Pan Ams Championships
In addition to his competitive achievements, Professor Lucas is deeply passionate about teaching. He has produced two highly successful BJJ instructional series with BJJ Fanatics, both of which have become best sellers. His commitment to the growth and development of students and teammates at Gracie Barra Texas is unwavering, as he strives to bring out the best in each individual every day.
Professor Ricardo Rivas began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at the age of 16. He and his brother would wrestle around the house without much knowledge of the art until his brother started taking classes at a local college. This initial exposure led them to enroll at Gracie Barra under Professor Draculino, where they dedicated themselves to training whenever possible. As their skills and commitment grew, so did their responsibilities within the school, gaining Professor Draculino’s trust and respect.
Ricardo reflects on his role, saying, “Being an instructor at this academy is a blessing. One of the best aspects is getting to know all of the students who continue to come through our doors.”
Main Accomplishments:
– IBJJF Pans No-Gi Medalist (2017)
– IBJJF Pans No-Gi Medalist (2018)
– Amateur MMA Record: 2 – 1
Professor Juliana de Lima Carneiro, known as “Ju Thai,” is a 1st Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, a Muay Thai Kru under the legendary Kru Bob Perez, and a seasoned mixed martial artist. Her impressive career includes fights for top organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Invicta FC, Brasil Fight, and numerous other events.
Juliana began her professional MMA journey in 2010 in Brazil. During the initial three years of her career, she remained undefeated with a record of 5 wins and no losses. In addition to her success in MMA, she has competed in Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, securing the Masters IBJJF Brown Belt Pan Ams title.
“My passion for teaching and the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with others is incredibly rewarding,” says Juliana.
As the Head Muay Thai Instructor and GBF program Professor at Gracie Barra Texas, she has played a crucial role in the growth and development of the Muay Thai program at the school.
Professor Isai Cabrera is a first-degree black belt under Draculino with 15 years of training experience and a decade of teaching. His competitive accomplishments include multiple victories at the Houston Open across various belt levels, a runner-up position at the American Nationals, and an undefeated amateur MMA record. He currently holds a 2-1 professional MMA record.
As an instructor, Professor Isai teaches Gi BJJ, No-Gi BJJ, and MMA, catering to all levels and age groups. His diverse experience and dedication to the art make him a valuable asset to our team.
Professor Daniel Carvalho de Oliveira Chaves was born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. He has practiced martial arts since the age of seven, training in Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Judo, and Kickboxing.
At 18, he was introduced to Jiu-Jitsu and Master Vinicius Draculino by a friend. Since then, he has dedicated himself to Jiu-Jitsu, with a strong emphasis on self-defense. This focus led him to explore complementary disciplines, including MMA and Muay Thai—an art he later pursued as an instructor.
Eleven years ago, he placed first in a highly competitive exam with over 30,000 candidates for what is now known as the prison police of the State of Minas Gerais. From the beginning, he worked operationally and as an instructor in self-defense, handcuffing, impact weapons, and firearms.
Recognizing the importance of defense against bladed weapons, he began training in Pekiti Tirsia, a Filipino martial art in which he earned a black belt. He also pursued Tricom, an armed and unarmed self-defense system, where he became a Master Instructor under Master Jared Wihongi.
Seeking a country where individuals are supported in their right to self-defense, he immigrated to the United States with an EB-1 visa, recognized for his extraordinary skills in firearms retention and police self-defense.
Today, he is an instructor of Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and advanced self-defense at Gracie Barra Texas.
Professor Oliver “Hooligan” Long is a second-degree Black Belt under Master Draculino.
He has trained in martial arts throughout his life across multiple disciplines, including Taekwondo, Aikido, Judo, Wrestling, and Krav Maga. He has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Draculino for over 16 years.
As a former NASA engineer who stepped away from his career to prioritize family, he found the opportunity to fully immerse himself in the Jiu-Jitsu community. This path led to his role as Head Program Director and instructor at Gracie Barra Texas.
As one of the Gi and No-Gi instructors, Professor Oliver focuses on refining advanced details that make fundamental Jiu-Jitsu more efficient and effective for students of all levels.
Professor Marco began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu more than 20 years ago. He spent much of his journey at Master Draculino’s original academy in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where he built his foundation under Professor Sergio Benini and Professor Claudio “Caloquinha” Matos.
In 2020, he decided to dedicate his life fully to Jiu-Jitsu and teaching. A black belt under Master Draculino, Professor Marco has continued his development training with him since 2024, deepening his connection to the art and its lineage.
Professor Marco is a strong believer in the life-changing impact of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, especially for children, and is dedicated to helping young students build confidence, discipline, resilience, and respect on and off the mats.
Professor Matheus began training at the age of fifteen as a hobby, in an attempt to start a new cycle in his life. Within a year of training, he had his first competition, and from that moment on, he knew he wanted to train Jiu-Jitsu for the rest of his life.
At 18, he moved out of his parents’ house to dedicate himself 100% to the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle. At 23, he moved to the United States to become a full-time athlete and coach at Gracie Barra Texas.
He has won the IBJJF Houston Open six times.
Professor Jaxon has spent nearly his entire life on the mats, beginning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at just six years old. With over 17 years of experience, he has developed a deep understanding of both the technical and mental aspects of the art.
Known for his disciplined approach to training and his passion for continuous improvement, Professor Jaxon brings intensity, precision, and a strong work ethic to every class he teaches.
As an instructor, he is passionate about helping students of all ages grow both on and off the mats. He believes Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a martial art—it is a tool for building confidence, resilience, discipline, and character.
Whether working with beginners learning their first movements or experienced athletes sharpening their skills, Professor Jaxon focuses on creating an environment where students feel challenged, supported, and motivated to improve.
