Carlos Valente is currently a 6th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rickson Gracie. Professor Valente was born in Rio De Janeiro and become involved in martial arts at a very young age.
Professor Carlos Valente met the Gracie family early on and began his training with the famous Rolls Gracie. At the Rolls Gracie Academy he had the opportunity to learn from the Gracie family champion at the time, train and compete with some of the world’s most famous jiu-jitsu fighters.
After Roll’s tragic death in the early 80’s, Carlos Valente continued his training with Rickson Gracie, under whom he earned his black belt. Carlos Valente help teach at the first Rickson Academy in Los Angeles and accompanied Rickson to many of his Mixed Martial Arts Competitions.
Carlos Valente was one of the first instructors to arrive in the United States, second to Rorian Gracie, founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship where Valente served as the fight coordinator. Carlos Valente along with friend Nelson Monteiro were the first instructors invited to teach at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club in the United Arab Emeriates, where he lived and teach Jiu-Jitsu.
Professor Valente has worked to help spread Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu around the world. After being the first to bring Jiu-Jitsu to Hawaii Carlos Valente moved back to California where he currently resides. He teaches at the main academy located in San Diego.
Currently, Professor Valente is also a writer in Grappling Magazine and mentor to many of the world’s best modern Jiu-Jitsu champions such as Vitor Belfort, Fernando “Margarita” Pontes, Andre Galvao, Eduardo Telles and many others.
