Rogerio Taborda

Rogerio Taborda's foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was built in Brazil under two highly influential instructors whose lineage traces directly to the sport's most celebrated family. He trained under Prof. Paulo Guimarães before coming under the guidance of Master Jorge Pereira, a black belt under the legendary Rickson Gracie. This direct connection to the Gracie lineage instilled in Taborda a deep respect for the technical and philosophical principles that define traditional BJJ, shaping both his approach to the art and the pedagogical framework he would later bring to his own academies.

The Rickson Gracie school of thought—characterized by an emphasis on fundamentals, positional control, and the problem-solving nature of grappling—became central pillars of Taborda's teaching identity. These core values would serve as the backbone of everything he built thereafter.

In 2000, Rogerio Taborda relocated from Brazil to the United States with a clear mission: to establish his own academy and share the skills refined under his professors. What began as a single school grew into a network operating under the Tatu BJJ banner, eventually expanding across multiple locations along the East Coast. Taborda serves as the head BJJ instructor for all Tatu BJJ academies in this region, providing consistent leadership and upholding the technical standards forged through his Brazilian training.

The nickname "Tatu"—Portuguese for armadillo—became the defining brand of his academy network, reflecting both his cultural roots and the resilient, grounded style of grappling his schools champion. The armadillo's hallmark toughness and adaptability serve as fitting symbols for the approach Taborda brings to the mat.

Among Taborda's most significant contributions to the sport's infrastructure in the United States is his founding of the Pennsylvania State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Governed under the framework of the IBJJF, the federation introduced a standardized competitive structure to Pennsylvania, creating clear pathways for local competitors to test themselves under recognized rule sets.

The establishment of the federation marked a meaningful milestone in the development of competitive BJJ within the state, giving practitioners at all levels access to regulated tournaments and the broader ecosystem of IBJJF-affiliated events. Through this organizational effort, Taborda extended his impact well beyond the mats of his own academies and into the wider Pennsylvania BJJ community.

Taborda's competitive career reflects a sustained ability to perform at the highest levels of masters competition across both Gi and No-Gi formats. His early success in Brazil produced two Rio Grande do Sul State Championship titles, establishing him as a formidable competitor before his move to the United States.

After relocating, he continued to compete at elite international events. He claimed gold at the 2005 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship in the Black Belt Master Super-Featherweight division and successfully defended that title at the 2007 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship in the same category. His versatility across rule sets became further evident in 2009 when he captured the No-Gi Pan American Championship in the Black Belt Senior 1 Light Featherweight division, demonstrating that his technical command extended well beyond the Gi. Across these performances, Taborda cemented his reputation as a consistent and decorated presence in masters-level grappling competition.