Saulo Ribeiro or Fabio Santos

[sdfighter]

I'm looking to train in bjj and I can't decide which to choose. I know each are amazing on the mats. I'm just wondering what everyone's opinion is. Who should I choose? Anyone train at both. or one of them? can you guys tell me about your experiences there. thanks.

 

[flashNsmash]

Saulo's English makes me smile, so I'd go with Saulo.

 

[tucker713]

They both a really good, but here how I pick a school:

Instructors (Both are good but does Saulo and Fabio teach all the time?)
Class size (I like a smaller classes)
Comfort level (you must be feel relax where every you go so which one do you feel most relaxed at?)
Schedule (does they class schedule work for you)
Final Cost (can you afford either one or maybe one cost a little less then the other so you go with that one)..


Good luck

 

[sproggdawg]

I live on the east coast now but I trained at Fabio's for a while. If I were you I would definitely go to Fabio Santos. There are numerous reasons I chose him over Medeiros, Roy Harris and others. Fabio teaches ALL of his classes. There are 3 classes a day from tuesday -thursday. One during the day(11-12:30) and two at night (beginner from 6-7 and advanced from 7-8:30). Monday night is open mat and Friday nights is no-gi. Saturday's there are two classes during the day as well, Sunday they are closed. His rates vary depending on how often you train and if you want to sign a long term contract or not. I paid $160 a month for unlimited training and trained up to 5-6 times a week. It was WELL worth it. Fabio is a GREAT guy and a very technical teacher. I personally chose him because when I met him I thought he was the epitome of what BJJ is. Hes only 5'8" and about 155lbs and SCRAWNY. Make no mistake though, I saw him tool much much bigger black belts all over the mat on numerous occasions with a smile on his face. His understanding of technique and leverage are amazing and hes the perfect instructor if your not a big guy(im only 5'8" as well).

Ive also been to Saulo's. In fact I was at the grand opening of his school and attended the Royler Gracie seminar. The school is nice and it was closer to where I lived at the time. Saulo or Xande teach alot of the classes and they have a judo grandmaster who teaches judo there a few nights. Im not sure of their class schedule or their rates but im sure they are higher than Fabio's. Just remember, Fabio had his black belt when Saulo was born!

My advice would be to go to each school and check them out. Dont get wrapped up in the celebrity of the Ribeiros though. Make the choice that best suits you. Fabio offers a free class and Im sure Saulo probably does something similar. Saulo also requires that you fill out a fairly extensive questionnaire before he accepts you. When you go to Fabio's tell him that Chris from Virginia Beach sent you and post back here and let me know what you think!

 

[dapunisher]

Just remember, Fabio had his black belt when Saulo was born!

Just remember that saulo won the word championships in five different weight classes and xande is the current world champion.


Thats fine that this guys is a fabio santos student and loves his instructor but hands down saulo is a more acommplished athlete in the field of BJJ and also is a better instructor. There's a reason why black belts go specifically to train with saulo, he's the best.

 

[Hammer Time]

awesome that u have the choice i wud say visit both schools and see what u like better enviroment wise, no doubt u will get amazing instruction from both and many of ur training partners will be studs. consider urself lucky bro

 

[Spoonman7]

tough choice go check them both out, it would be awesome t train at saulo's i think.

 

[Samurai Jack]

Xande and Lovato are training at Saulo

 

[Bram Wiley]

The Judo program at Saulo's is pretty good.

I train at Rodrigo Medeiros' in Pacific Beach. I like it there -- a lot of good guys to roll with, Rodrigo is a great teacher. I haven't trained BJJ at Saulo's or Fabio's though to compare.

 

[dar185]

Just remember that saulo won the word championships in five different weight classes and xande is the current world champion.

I don't know how he teaches, so don't flame me. But just because someone is world class at performing, doesn't mean they are at teaching. Go to each of their free classes and see which one you like.

Depending on how much Xande is around, I'd train there in heartbeat. He would probably be the number one person I would want to train with in the world. (Then again don't know how he teaches.:wink: )

 

[sproggdawg]

Just remember that saulo won the word championships in five different weight classes and xande is the current world champion.


Thats fine that this guys is a fabio santos student and loves his instructor but hands down saulo is a more acommplished athlete in the field of BJJ and also is a better instructor. There's a reason why black belts go specifically to train with saulo, he's the best.

You say that like you know something I dont. Not everyone trains with the goal of being a world champion or even competing at all. Fabio Santos has won quite a few tournaments himself, but his interest was never in competition. I have an idea for the guy who started the post. When you go to Saulo's ask him what he thinks of Fabio Santos on a personal level. Fabio was playing with Saulo when he was still in diapers. Theyve known each other for a looong time. So other than the fact that they are business competitors, youll hear nothing but praise from either of them about the other.


Do you have any experience at all with Saulo? I do, ive trained with both Saulo and Xande and I still prefer Fabio. How do you know hes the better instructor? Dean lister might disagree with you. Yes there is a reason that high level competitors go to train with Saulo. That reason is obviously that Saulo has had tremendous success in that environment. But take a look at Saulo, hes not your average man either. Saulo and Xande both are fantastic athletes. If youre a fantastic athlete and youre looking to dominate in competition then by all means go to Saulo's. But that desire was never stated by the original poster.

Fabio is a slight man with TONS of experience and knowledge to share. His grasp of leverage and the subtle nuances of the techniques is nothing short of amazing. Ive said countless times that you cant go wrong with either of them. But for your average joe I would suggest going to Fabio's. The man asked for suggestions on who he should train under. He didnt ask us to list their obvious competition credentials. If his decision were based solely on that then he wouldnt be asking the question would he? You can give your opinion without attempting to rubbish mine. Like I said before sdfighter, try a free class at each and then make your decision.

 

[batman69]

and the internerd war begins, good luck gentlemen, may the best geek win, now come out with your fingers typing.

 

[Ninjamurf]

Just remember that saulo won the word championships in five different weight classes and xande is the current world champion.


Thats fine that this guys is a fabio santos student and loves his instructor but hands down saulo is a more acommplished athlete in the field of BJJ and also is a better instructor. There's a reason why black belts go specifically to train with saulo, he's the best.

Others have stated that competing excellence doesn't equal teaching excellence so I'll save you that argument. You bring up the fact that Saulo is a multiple weight class world champion. You must also remember that the Mudials have only been around since 1996. Fabio was 43 in 1996! I would hardly expect him to rack up many "world" titles at that age. And if all you are doing is looking at Saulo's and Xande's "medals" and basing that they are better teachers than Fabio...well, you obviously don't know what you're talking about and it's borderline whether you deserve a response at all. I would be happy to train under any of those three. (As it so happens I currently train under Fabio so he'll get my vote this round.)

 

[Ybot]

I meant to train at both places when I was down there, but was only able to make it over to Fabio's place for a Saturday class. Fabio ran a great class and I would go back. I would still very much like to train with Saulo though, but he only had evening classes, and I couldn't make it.

 

[GracieMMABarra]

Honestly, every school in san diego is good now and days.

 

[The Colonel]

Even though I have mad respect for Saulo, all of his accomplishments, and have seen a few of his instructionals and he is very good, for some reason I'd go to Fabio.

I've always heard very, very good things about Fabio. He's way older and more experienced and I just imagine that you'd learn more from him than someone who has a closet full of trophies and medals. Just my opinion though.

 

[dapunisher]

1st off its funny how all the guys discounting saulo's accomplishments are fabio santos guys.

2nd, yeah all those world titles dont mean he's a good teacher, it's not like he commands a supreme understanding of BJJ tech nique and thoery, and to illustrate my point i'll simply pose a question, who do you think taught xande and turned him into a world champion?????

Lastly, you say oh fabio's got 47 whatever years of experience, well my rebuttle would be the ribeiro brothers exist on the cutting edge of jiu jitsu technique which is awlays evolving and changing, so your argument that fabio is older discredits you some in my opinion but whatever.

The guys asked who is better, and that would be Saulo, I appreciate you guys are fabio students but lets be realistic he's not on Saulo's level.

 

[Big Eck]

I personally would go with Saulo.

 

[sproggdawg]

1st off its funny how all the guys discounting saulo's accomplishments are fabio santos guys.

2nd, yeah all those world titles dont mean he's a good teacher, it's not like he commands a supreme understanding of BJJ tech nique and thoery, and to illustrate my point i'll simply pose a question, who do you think taught xande and turned him into a world champion?????

Lastly, you say oh fabio's got 47 whatever years of experience, well my rebuttle would be the ribeiro brothers exist on the cutting edge of jiu jitsu technique which is awlays evolving and changing, so your argument that fabio is older discredits you some in my opinion but whatever.

The guys asked who is better, and that would be Saulo, I appreciate you guys are fabio students but lets be realistic he's not on Saulo's level.

He didnt ask who was better, hes asked who we thought he should choose. A question that is both easily read and understood by everyone else whos replied to this thread. And no, all those world titles DONT mean hes a good teacher. Nor is Saulo solely responsible for making Xande what he is today. You asked me that question like you know the answer. So please enlighten me. Who are all of Xande's teachers? You still havent even mentioned if you have any experience with Saulo. If you dont then your advice, while appreciated im sure, is only based on speculation. So while were being honest, I wouldnt put much stake in your opinion at all considering that you have no experience with either of the instructors in question.

Yes Saulo is on the cutting edge of competition BJJ. But, for the second time now, not everyone trains to win competitions. Experience never discredits anyone, especially in BJJ. I guarantee that Fabio has more knowledge to share than Saulo. More knowledge than you would ever need to be a great black belt. Not only am I being realistic, but Im actually answering the guys question. Use the search function, the "whos the best competitor" thread is a few pages back. And while your attempting to discredit my opinion by saying that im a "Fabio Santos guy". Try to keep in mind that Ive trained with both and that I now live across the country from both. You can disagree all youd like, but i call like I see it. And I, for one, HAVE seen it.

 

[Timbaland]

I don't think you could lose at either place. Which one is more convenient (closer) to you?