Preface:
I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to shoot at Gracie Barra in the Summer of 2019, meet, and become friends with some of the most talented fighters & coaches in the WORLD.
The individual you see in the pictures below is Max Humphrey, a professional MMA fighter that trains at Gracie Barra under Wes where I followed his "fight camp" for 2 weeks, leading up to his fight at Bellator 222 in New York's iconic Madison Square Garden from a private session.
Max and I also shot a podcast that covers his entire life and career yet to be fully published over 4 hours.
Insert link here
Wes, Chaz, Tussa, and Don are four of the most humbling individuals I have met in my life and my first education on the History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It's not every day you walk away from experiencing a new Culture and Philosophy of thought, looking at the world differently.
All I'll say is Shark Tank.
If you know one culture, you know no culture.
I still speak to Wes, Max and a few of the members via social media.
My goal is to publish my experience with pictures and videos in the months to come.
Cheers,
s.s
d
Founded in June of 2006 Gracie Barra New Mexico been providing jiu-jitsu to the greater Albuquerque area for over a decade. We offer world-class level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction catering to a variety of students with kids starting as young as 3yrs. The schools main focus is to be a teacher for character development, self-defense, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. Our classes are aligned with the Gracie Barra Program Structure developed by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. to meet specific learning needs for people of different ages, and levels. Our clean, progress oriented environment allows students to have a challenging yet fun training experience. Gracie Barra NM is for anyone who values discipline, wellness, martial arts, and respect. It doesn’t matter if you are a busy worker looking to lose weight, a person looking for self-defense or a Professional fighter looking to hone your Brazilian Jiu -Jitsu game. We are sure you will find an exciting and challenging place that will allow you to achieve your goals.
Instrutors
ICP4, ICP5, ICP6, ICP6_Revisited, CPR
Born and raised in Las Cruces New Mexico, Wesley King Started training Jiu Jitsu with Jacob Benitez at Gracie Barra Las Cruces. Wesley showed a toughness that has made him a formidable competitor as well as coach.
Wesley moved to Albuquerque to train under Professor Tussa in 2008 and was such a great technician, motivator, and hard worker that in 2010 he was asked to take over the kids program as well as teach the adult fundamentals classes. Even while being a full time instructor he was able to find the time to become a successful competitor, competing at some of the highest level tournaments in the world. Through his hard work and dedication, Wes is now the Head instructor of Gracie Barra New Mexico HQ and has grown the kids and adult programs to an all time high.
Notable Accomplishments:
ICP4, ICP5, ICP6, ICP6_Revisited, CPR
After graduating from Adams State College, Don Ortega started training Jiu Jitsu in 2003. Studying under Alberto Crane and Draculino, Don found a new passion. In the summer of 2004, Ortega made his MMA debut by defeating UFC veteran Brad Gumm. The following year Ortega returned to Adams State College to finish his final year of wrestling eligibility. With a rekindled fire for competition Ortega claimed 7th place at Division II NCAA National Championships earning All American. Ortega then returned to Jiu Jitsu winning titles in the GI and NOGI divisions. Most notably, he won the 2007 FILA Worlds Championships in Antalaya, Turkey, the ADCC Trials in 2009, and the 2008 IBJJF World Championship. Ortega became the first American to win the brown belt middle heavy division in the IBJJF’s history of the tournament. Don has competed twice in the ADCC World Championship considered by many as the olympics of submission grappling. Professor Don trains daily and teaches at Gracie Barra NM.
Notable achievements:
ICP4, ICP5, ICP6, ICP6_Revisited, CPR
Professor Roberto “Tussa” Alencar is the head instructor of Gracie Barra New Mexico. With over 20 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, professor “TUSSA” has been teaching since he was a purple belt over 10 years ago. Having a lot of enthusiasm, professionalism, and determination he is growing a huge army of Jiu –Jitsu practitioners across New Mexico. Besides his career as a professor, Roberto Alencar has earned many titles as a competitor including 3 time NO GI world champion, 2009 NO GI absolute division World Champion, Pan American Champion, World Runner-up two-time Brazilian national champion. He has also worked his way up as one of the best jiu-jitsu coaches in MMA working with some of the most well renowned UFC fighters in the world such as Alistair Overeem, Holly Holm, Jon Jones and many others. He was even selected to be the head jiu-jitsu coach for Team Australia during the UFC Ultimate fighter reality tv show. For information on private lessons with Professor Roberto please contact our staff.
Main Achievements:
Contact us for more information regarding our free class offer or more information about Gracie Barra New Mexico.
1504 San Pedro NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505.515.4341
Monday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday: 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday: 8:30am - 1:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am - 10:30am
1504 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
In a lifetime dedicated to the growth and development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Master Carlos Gracie Jr. has always guided his efforts and actions by the values of brotherhood, expansion, and integrity. Simply stated by himself:
“My life is dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu. My goal was simply to build a brotherhood to lead the expansion of Jiu-Jitsu while respecting the essence of our art. My students are an extension of my family. I want each one of them to achieve their personal best while helping spread Jiu-Jitsu. We must do that honoring the traditions and efforts of those who came before us.” – Carlos Gracie Jr.
The values and principles that build Master Carlos Gracie Jr.’s personal philosophy have defined to a great extent the culture of Gracie Barra. The table to the right summarizes each one of Carlos’ core values and how they have impacted Gracie Barra as an organization:
Our team color is the red, our team flag is the Red Shield. The Red Shield connects the Gracie Barra community, our students taking their first class, our Black Belts graduating, our athletes in battle, our instructors teaching, our Schools keeping the legacy alive.
The Red Shield was created by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. with the purpose of unifying all of those who represent Gracie Barra, defend the Red Shield and pass forward the legacy transferred down from Grandmaster Carlos Gracie, and other Jiu-Jitsu legends such as Hélio Gracie, Rolles Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr.
The Red Shield’s credibility was built over the years through hard work and excellence shown by the Gracie Barra students, athletes and instructors involved in sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions, teaching programs and community work. The Gracie Barra Red Shield is one of the most recognized symbols in Jiu-Jitsu today and all of those who carry it feel a deep sense of loyalty and commitment to Master Carlos Gracie Jr, Gracie Barra and the Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone movement.
Athletics at Gracie Barra is represented by a sport Jiu-Jitsu competition team known as EQUIPE GB. Athletics within Gracie Barra builds community and pride through the engagement of students, staff, parents, and friends, and creates a portal through which everyone can enjoy the GB experience. Successful athletic performance generates a unique excitement across the Gracie Barra Schools and community, help strengthen bonds among the various arms of our organization, build students loyalty in a healthy manner, and give Gracie Barra members yet another reason to be proud to represent the legacy of Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and defend the red shield.
Athletic participation helps Gracie Barra students grow, learn, and enjoy themselves while developing their body, mind and spirit. Our competition team, values the lessons that have long been taught by sport Jiu-Jitsu competitions: the pursuit of excellence through personal development and teamwork, ethical and responsible behavior on and off the mats, leadership and strength of character, and sportsmanship – respect for one’s opponents, acceptance of victory with humility, and acknowledgement of defeat with grace. By embracing these values, EQUIPE GB members create habits which will lead to a better lifestyle and well-being. While winning is not an end in itself, at Gracie Barra we believe that the efforts by our athletes to be their best will lead them to succeed throughout their lives.
How we dress identifies us as a group and sets, for many people, the values we represent. What we use transmits to the others an idea about who we are. Wearing the red shirt is representing the GB Family.
The “Proud to be part of this GB Family” is stamped on the Red Shield. And have you ever wondered why the red color?
“I want red because it represents heart, blood, and love; All my students fight with heart, have GB Jiu-Jitsu in their blood, and they love our team… Gracie Barra!” – Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Wearing the red shirt is saying it loudly to the world: I believe in Gracie Barra.
The red shirt seeks to promote a sense of unity among the members of the GB team around the world. It promotes unity, support, equality, identity, philosophy and proud of being part of Gracie Barra. Wearing the red shirt is saying: I am a GB Team Member.
The red shirt seeks respect, brotherhood, friendship, loyalty and love for the GB Team. Wearing the red shirt is having it on your chest: I am Gracie Barra!
“When I put the red t-shirt on and drive to the tournament…I automatically become someone stronger, faster, and unbeatable…because I know that, there will be hundreds of GB brothers and sisters wearing the same t-shirt, representing the same values, and supporting me on the battlefield by either competing along side with me, or cheering from the stands. That’s Gracie Barra!”- Prof. Philipe Della Monica
Around the world people are faced with the GB red sea. They identify our uniform and know that there exists a family member from Gracie Barra defending our mentality, representing our philosophy and our values. Wearing the red shirt means keeping our legacy alive.