GRACIE BARRA BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ABQ, NEW MEXICO 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 from Hunington Beach, CA "SURF CITY USA" 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. PODCAST LINK 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. WE ARE GRACIE BARRA: Gracie Barra New Mexico
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.
Instructors Wesley King 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: - US Open Champion 2011
- Abu Dhabi Pro Trials 2011 2nd place
- Abu Dhabi Pro Trials 2013 3rd place (Brown/Black division)
- Arizona State Champion 2012 (beat UFC fighter Jamie Varner in the final)
- World Nogi Bronze Medalist 2013 (Brown Belt)
- World Nogi Silver Medalist 2014 (Brown Belt)
- Master Worlds Silver Medalist 2014 (Brown Belt)
Don Ortega 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: - 2013 World NOGI bronze medalist (Adult Black Belt)
- 2x ADCC Veteran (Barcelona 2009, UK 2011)
- 2008 IBJJF World Champion – (Adult Brown Belt)
- 2007 FILA World Grappling Champion
- 2011 ADCC West Coast Trials – Runner-up
- 2010 ADCC East Coast Trials – Runner-up
- 2009 ADCC Trials Champion
- 2007 World Team Trials National Champion
- 2007 IBJJF Pan American Champion – Purple Belt
- 2006 IBJJF Pan American Champion – Blue Belt
- 2005 NCAA Division II All-American
- 2 Time NCAA National Qualifier
- 1-0 Professional Mixed Martial Arts record
- New Mexico State Wrestling Champion
- 5-0 Amateur boxing record
- New Mexico Wrestling Hall of Fame
Roberto “Tussa” Alencar 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. - 4x World Nogi Champion (2012, 2009, 2008, 2007)
- Pan American Champion (2009, 2013)
- World Silver Medallist (2007)
- Pan American Silver Medallist (2008)
- Brazilian National Open Weight Silver Medallist (2004 brown)
- 2x World Bronze Medallist (2010, 2008)
- 2x Pan American Bronze Medallist (2010, 2007)
Gracie Barra New Mexico SCHOOL LOCATION 1504 San Pedro NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 505.515.4341 Brotherhood, Integrity, Development 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." Carlos
