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Ty Robinson
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I’ve trained here for 4 years, you will find no better coaching staff, familial and friendly environment, as well as tailored training to your specific needs. Whether you want a new form of exercise, making new friends or dream of testing yourself on a competition stage, GD BJJ has exactly what you’re looking for. Training is for everyone!

Tayler Baird
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Best place to train bjj in the valley

Janelle Mercado
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I have been completely impressed with GD Academy. They have been so welcoming and their coaches are amazing with my little man. I would 1,000% recommend them.

Vladimir Kojic
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It's been 6 months now when our 7year old son started and he love it and so do we. People here are very friendly and the trainers are really good. Definitely recommending!

Sabrina Hernandez
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Both my sister and I train here. I switched from a different jiu jitsu academy to GD last year in May and have not regretted my decision since. There are many classes provided for all skill levels and age groups. Not only does GD supply an amazing curriculum for its students but also a natural formation of a family. Mental health is a huge topic of discussion as it can coincide with practicing jiu jitsu. Gustavo has many quotes on the walls to help encourage his students on and off the mats. Whether you’re looking to do this for fun or test your skills in competition, GD is the perfect place to learn from. Best coaches and teammates by far! Thank you for being so good to my sister and I.

Jeremy Greenfield
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I travel for work and drop in to bjj classes all over the US. This academy was one of the nicest facilities I've been to and Gustavo was super-nice and welcoming. Charissa helped me sign a waiver and answered questions before coming in to an advanced class. The class was great, it focused on a certain system versus a specific move. At the end we did 5 minute rolls that went on past the hour class if you wanted to. Gustavo invited me to a roll along with another black belt too. Everyone was very friendly and professional during the rolls. I will definitely be coming back next time I am in the area.

Maurice Bembry
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I moved from KCMO to join GD BJJ team! EVERY professor is there to help you succeed no matter your rank or experience. Thank you for your encouragement and training. See you on the mat.

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THE PREMIER BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU (BJJ) ACADEMY IN ARIZONA Tempe | Gilbert | Mesa | Phoenix | Scottsdale | Chandler
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THE PREMIER BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU (BJJ) ACADEMY IN ARIZONA

Gustavo Dantas

Owner - 6th Degree Black Belt

Certifications

JIU-JITSU

  • 2014 IBJJF Long Beach International Open Champion (Black/Adult/Feather) CA, USA
  • 2014 IBJJF U.S. National Champion (Black/Master 2/Light) CA, USA
  • 2014 IBJJF Vegas Spring International Open Champion (Black/Master 2/Light) NV, USA
  • 2014 UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Champion (Black/Master2/feather) Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
  • 2012 IBJJF World Champion (Black/Master 2/Feather) CA, USA
  • 2012 IBJJF U.S. National Champion (Black/Master 2/Feather) CA, USA
  • 2010 IBJJF Vegas International Open Champion (Black/Master 1/Feather) NV, USA
  • 2010 IBJJF International Master & Senior Champion (Black/Master2/Feather) RJ, Brazil
  • 2009 JJFJ Rickson Gracie International Champion (Black/Adult/Light) Tokyo, Japan
  • 2008 CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (Black/Light/Master 1) RJ, Brazil
  • 2002 CBJJO World Cup – 3rd place (Black/Ultra Heavy/Adult) RJ, Brazil
  • 98 & 99 USFJJ Joe Moreira International Champion (Brown & Black/Adult) CA, USA
  • 98 FJJRJ Rio de Janeiro State champion (Brown/Feather/Adult) RJ, Brazil
  • 97 & 98 IBJJF World champion (Purple & Brown/Feather/Adult) RJ, Brazil
  • 97 CBJJ Campeonato Brasileiro por Equipes  Champion (Purple/Light/Adult) RJ, Brazil
  • 96 IBJJF World Championships – 3rd place (Purple/Light/Adult) RJ, Brazil JUDO
  • 99 Nevada State Champion
  • 95 & 97 Rio de Janeiro State champion

SUBMISSION WRESTLING

  • 2001, 2003 Abu Dhabi Combat Championships veteran

MMA Record (2-0)

  • 05/03/2003      Win      Brittish Pena      RITC 48    Submission Triangle/Arm Bar 1st Rd.  2:14
  • 02/16/2002      Win      Jesus Salazar      Desert Heat 1      Rear naked Choke 1st Rd. 0:43

Biography

Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 23,1974, Gustavo is a proud father and husband, and a fifth-degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Andre Pederneiras, the co-founder of the team Nova Uniao.

Along with being a world-class competitor and having over 25 years of coaching experience, Gustavo is a published author, a public speaker as well as a certified Mental & Life Coach with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from UFRJ (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro).

Gustavo left Brazil in 1999 with a $2,000, two bags, and one teenage dream: to have his own academy. Somewhere he could make a living and change lives through teaching the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

After many years of sacrifice and dedication, the Gustavo Dantas Jiu-Jitsu Academy was established in Tempe, Arizona, on March 6th, 2012, re-enforcing the statement, “Believe in your dreams. Hard work pays off”.

Before opening his academy, Gustavo was the Jiu-Jitsu coach at Arizona Combat Sports for twelve years, where he achieved his 2-0 Mixed Martial Arts record. During that time, Gustavo started the mission of promoting Jiu-Jitsu in the state of Arizona and now serves as the President of the Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

Under his guidance, a small “in-house” tournament with less than 40 competitors in 2001 grew into a well-respected competition with over 4000 competitors yearly in 2019 with over six events per year, helping Arizona to be recognized as one of the top Jiu-Jitsu areas in the United States.

In addition to running his academy full-time, Gustavo has a podcast called www.thebjjmentalcoachpodcast.com

Dedicated to entrepreneurs, small business owners and/or aspiring entrepreneurs who train jiu-jitsu, the podcast helps those want to take their mindset to another level on and off the mat.

The podcast is an extension of Gustavo’s Mental Coaching Program THE BJJ MENTAL COACH, which its mission is to help the Jiu-Jitsu competitor, to become even more emotionally mature to overcome the mental blocks that can prevent you from performing to the best of your abilities, and achieving the success you desire on and off the mats. www.thebjjmentalcoach.com

And the last, but not least, Gustavo is the co-founder of the non-profit organization Jiu-Jitsu Tribe.

Jiu-Jitsu Tribe supports social projects who offer free jiu-jitsu classes to unprivileged children and young adults in impoverished communities inspiring, impacting and improving their lives to help keep them away from drugs & crime, creating hope and creating champions on and off the mats.

Your donation helps projects to pay for their monthly expenses and facilities makeovers. Visit www.jiujitsutribe.org to learn more.

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