Muzio de Angelis

Muzio de Angelis was born on April 25, 1972, in Brazil, into a household where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was not simply a sport but a way of life. His father, Pierino de Angelis — a black belt under Gracie Jiu-Jitsu legend João Alberto Barreto — began introducing young Muzio to the art at just five years old, laying the groundwork for what would become a lifelong dedication to the gentle art.

This father-son training relationship was as rare as it was formative. Pierino personally guided Muzio through every belt rank up to blue, instilling technical fundamentals and a deep respect for the discipline at an age when most children are only beginning to discover the world around them. Growing up inside BJJ culture gave Muzio both an exceptional technical foundation and an intimate understanding of the sport from the inside out — advantages that would define every stage of his career.

As Muzio's training deepened beyond the family environment, he sought out new influences to sharpen his game. Sylvio Behring awarded him his purple belt — a milestone that connected Muzio to one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's most storied lineages and signaled his readiness for the next stage of his development. He subsequently transitioned to the Alliance team, training at the renowned Academia Strike alongside Roberto Traven, one of the organization's most influential figures.

Even before earning his black belt, Muzio demonstrated a natural aptitude for instruction. In 1992, while still a colored belt, he began coaching his own team at Academia Corpo Quatro — an early indicator of the leadership qualities that would shape his legacy. Two years later, in 1994, Roberto Traven awarded Muzio his black belt, completing a remarkable journey that had passed through the hands of his father, Sylvio Behring, and finally one of Alliance's most accomplished coaches.

Years of training together at Academia Strike forged a strong personal and professional bond between Muzio de Angelis and Roberto Traven. When Academia Strike closed its doors in 1997, the two channeled their shared vision into a new venture, launching Academia Traven & Muzio. The academy quickly established itself as a respected institution within Brazilian BJJ, drawing students to the technical rigor and competitive culture both instructors brought to the mats.

When Roberto Traven relocated to the United States, Muzio assumed full leadership of the academy and continued to grow it with impressive results. His ability to sustain and expand the school independently demonstrated that his contributions to the partnership had always extended well beyond competition — encompassing the organizational vision and community-building skills that define the most enduring academies in the sport.

The early 2000s brought significant upheaval to the Brazilian BJJ landscape when the Alliance team fractured following internal disputes. Rather than stepping back, Muzio de Angelis stepped forward. He played an active role in forming what would become Brasa Clube de Jiu Jitsu — one of the most ambitious and consequential new organizations in the sport's history. Alongside historic figures including Castello Branco, Felipe Costa, and Octavio Couto, Muzio helped build Brasa from the ground up, contributing the experience, credibility, and network accumulated over two decades in the sport.

Brasa grew rapidly into one of the most competitive and globally recognized teams in world BJJ, producing champions across multiple divisions and continents. Muzio's leadership role within the organization reflects his standing as one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's most trusted figures — someone whose influence extends beyond the competition mats into the strategic and cultural direction of the sport itself.

Instructor and Promoter

Muzio de Angelis has built a dual legacy in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that few practitioners can match — one as a prolific instructor and another as a highly respected competition official. Over the course of his coaching career, he has promoted tens of black belts, placing him among the most productive instructors in the history of Brazilian BJJ. The depth and consistency of his promotion record speak to a teaching philosophy rooted in patience, technical precision, and long-term athlete development.

Referee and Competitor

Beyond the academy, Muzio has earned recognition as one of the most experienced referees within the CBJJ/IBJJF officiating structure, bringing a practitioner's technical knowledge and a coach's understanding of competitive dynamics to high-level tournament officiating. His presence at major IBJJF events has contributed to the integrity and professionalism of competition environments across the sport.

As a competitor, Muzio performed in the Meio Pesado — Medium Heavyweight (88.3kg) division, earning distinction at both national and international levels. His competitive record includes two Internacional de Masters e Seniors titles (2003 and 2008), three Brazilian National silver medals (2004, 2005, and 2008), a Pan American bronze medal in 2000, and a Brazilian national title at brown belt. Together, his roles as instructor, referee, and competitor reflect a comprehensive and enduring investment in every dimension of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's growth and integrity.