Trainers

OWNER & HEAD INSTRUCTOR

PAULO GAZZE JR.

Professor Paulo Gazze Jr. is a 6th Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, the owner and head instructor of Gazze Academy, and a globally respected martial artist whose career spans more than three decades. Under the tutelage of legends like Marcelo Behring and Master Milton “Max” Trombini, he has dedicated his life to mastering and teaching BJJ, Judo, Muay Thai, and MMA—helping hundreds of students develop technical prowess, mental toughness, and a champion’s mindset.

Born into the AABB community in Brazil, Paulo’s martial arts journey began at age four with Judo. In 1993 he embraced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Cia Paulista Jiu-Jitsu in São Paulo, training under Marcelo Behring—Rickson Gracie’s protégé. He started coaching in 1995 in São Paulo, sharing his knowledge and passion with a growing roster of students, and earned his black belt in 2001 under Master Trombini. From 1995–1999 he reigned as São Paulo State Champion for five straight years and broke new ground as the first athlete from Master Trombini’s team to compete internationally, representing Brazil at the IBJJF Pan Ams from 1996 through 1998.

In 1998, driven by a vision to build a premier jiu-jitsu team in Southern California, Paulo relocated to Huntington Beach. There he launched his MMA career with Team Punishment under UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz and quickly became a sought-after ground-game coach for top UFC fighters. When the team dissolved, he brought Brazil’s famed Chute Boxe to Huntington Beach in 2004—further enriching his own training in Muay Thai, wrestling, and MMA, and laying the foundation for Gazze Academy, which he officially opened in 2003.

A decorated competitor and coach, Paulo’s accolades include US Open Champion (2004, Black Belt), five-time São Paulo State Champion, three California State titles, multiple IBJJF Pan American and World No-Gi medals, and European and Rome championships across several weight classes and years. His lone professional MMA bout yielded victories over veterans like Chris Leben and Duane “The Great” Ortiz, showcasing his strategic prowess in the cage.

As a coach, Paulo has guided a who’s-who of UFC talent—Rampage Jackson, Tito Ortiz, Cheick Kongo, Michael Bisping, Evan Tanner, and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, among others—imparting the “chess-like” science of BJJ and MMA that he champions. Under his mentorship, 27 IBJJF World Champions have emerged from Gazze Academy, a testament to his commitment to excellence and his students’ ongoing success on the world stage.

Today, Gazze Academy stands as a beacon of martial-arts excellence, reflecting Professor Paulo Gazze Jr.’s lifelong dedication to discipline, strategy, and cultivating champions both on and off the mat.

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie → Hélio Gracie → Rickson Gracie → Marcelo Behring → Milton Maximiliano Trombini → Paulo Gazze Jr.