Establishing himself in Belo Horizonte, Aldo Januário became a pioneering figure for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a city not traditionally considered a BJJ hub. His reputation as an educator and competitor grew steadily — first within the Gracie Barra academy structure, and eventually along a more independent path with the founding of his own association, Caveirinha Jiu Jitsu Family.
Around 2010, Januário established a base of operations in Hawaii — a move that proved transformative for the reach of his program. He has described Hawaii as combining the warmth and culture of Rio de Janeiro with the relaxed coastal atmosphere of Florianópolis, making it an ideal environment for the sport to thrive. From that base, he expanded his academy network globally, with former students and promoted black belts carrying the Caveirinha brand across multiple countries.
Coaching Philosophy: Technique, Mentorship, and the Whole Athlete
Januário's coaching philosophy integrates self-defense fundamentals and no-gi training alongside the traditional gi game — a combination he considers essential for producing well-rounded competitors, particularly those pursuing careers in MMA. His approach to mentorship extends well beyond technique. He has spoken openly about supporting students as human beings first, demonstrated when he guided Igor Araújo through the decision to step away from MMA to address family matters following his black belt promotion.
In shaping his coaching identity, Januário has cited Roberto Correa — known as Gordo — and Rafael Cordeiro as key inspirations, drawing from the technical innovations of one of BJJ's most influential figures and the high-performance training model of a world-class MMA coach. The result is a system that blends technical depth with the motivational intensity needed to develop elite competitors.