Lemme break it down for ya
State of Bjj in CT:
Tier 1 Schools:
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(If you can afford to travel to a tier 1 location, its highly recomended, these schools will provide world class instruction and allow to the progress in the sport most efficiently.)
CTMMA - Fairfield:
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Run by Roger Denton, the first bjj instructor in CT (started w/ rickson in '95 i believe?), brought in probably the best black belts in the world w/ GF Team, regularly has Denilson Pimenta, Vitor Henriques, Vanessa Oliveira, Italo Lin, and Rodolph Viera teaching classes in there... really nothing more to be said about that, Mundial Winning Quality Talent in there and really fantastic fadda lineage "sapateiro" style game to be learned.
American Top Team/ Best Way Bjj - Danbury:
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Run by Luigi Mondelli, multiple time world champ under Dedeco (the champion maker) and all around SUPER nice guy, has an extremely well run team and produced some of the areas BEST mma talents including Ryan Quinn(who's since been moved over to ATT Coconut Creek) and Hitalo Machado )who i believe is running Formiga's MMA program now?).
Gracie Sports - Norwalk
Run by RED belt Marcio "Maccarro" Stambowsky! One of Rolles Gracies original black belts! Plays an indescriptable style of bjj that absolutely needs to be seen! Train with this guy atleast once, truly a living legend!
JiuJitsu and Strength Academy - Cromwell:
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Run by Matt Bryers, but bjj is run by Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa, multiple time world champion (and high level bjj phenom... have personally seen him literally DISMANTLE some of the state's other top black belts... he's really that good...) . Formiga also has his own school in Danbury I believe, since he has recently broken away from Luigi @ ATT.
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Tier 2:
(still provide high level, legit, bjj training)
Carlson Gracie CT: New Haven:
Run by Fabio Araujo, formerly a partner of roger denton's (i believe roger brought him to ct to run his bjj program?), is a student of Possidente, a top student of Perdneias(?) teaching a really slick super tight nova uniao style guard game, has created some of the states finest 1st gen black belt tourney monster's like Dom "The Crippler" Nusdeau & Chris Watson.
Gladiator Team CT - ???:
Run by legendary underground mma fighter Mario "Machete" DiNatale, Currently a top student of Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos , teaches authentic Carlson Gracie super aggressive top game style.
Underdog BJJ - Hartford?/Cromwell?:
Run by Fabio Teles, a straight badass Gracie Barra style game outta rio, this dude is cranking out some of the state's baddest bjj mma fighters right now, i.e Parker Porter...
Brian Olsen's Academy? - West Hartford?:
Run by former Wec Champion Brian Olsen, supposedly legendary Carlson Gracie / BTT Fighter Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos runs bjj classes.
Team Link - Enfield:
Solid Instruction, Producing Solid Tournament Competitors
Renzo Gracie Bjj - West Haven:
Solid Instruction, Producing Solid Tournament Competitors
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*Tier 2a: Good Skill Level - *USE CAUTION*
DeLima Bjj - Danbury:
Run by Marco DeLima, has a checkered history with a certain member of the local bjj community, however appears to be creating some high level prospects regardless.
Ultimate MMA - North Haven:
Run by Andrew Calandrelli, was expelled by renzo gracie from his academy for pulling a Kevin Casey, Ari Bolden'd shaolin, and has made quite a few women in the local bjj scene more than uncomfortable enough to never return to his academy is barely scratching the surface of that spectacular story... regardless he's producing above average bjj competitors and mma fighters.
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Tier 3
(Definetely still legit enough bjj is starting to become more prevalent in the area and trickle down, but only stick around at this level if you absolutely cannot afford to go anywhere else, its still advantageuous to atleast be learning and training some bjj rather than none at all, but there is some seriously HIGH level bjj in this state now, so take advantage of it!)
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the royce gracies ; the self defense centers of "this n that"; karate mcdojos teaching mma/bjj now...
