Underdog Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:  Fabiano Teles

Professor Fabiano Teles began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1993 with the Pitbull Gracie Barra team,  founded by Adilison 'Bitta' Lima in Teresopolis, Brazil.  During this time, Fabiano also served 3 years as a marksman in the Brazilian Army,  all the while training Jiu-Jitsu.  Shortly after receiving his brown belt in 1999, in search for more opportunities for his new family, Fabiano moved to the United States.  In the years that followed, Fabiano has trained all over New England, developing a reputation for himself as a skilled grappler and teacher.  During this time, Fabiano founded Underdog Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to provide those students who trained with him an organization to rally behind.  While the opportunity to pursue his black belt from other camps may have been possible, Fabiano always wanted to remain loyal to his first and primary instructor.  After many years of dedication to the art of Jiu-Jitsu, Fabiano was awarded his black belt from Bitta in 2007 during his first visit to Connecticuit for a seminar with the Underdog Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team.

Fabiano was a 3 time State Champion in Brazil and also took first place in the 1999 BJJ World Championship Trials and the Pitbull Cup Championship.  Fabiano has a proven track record for producing both Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu champions.  In 2008, he coached his Pitbull of Ct. Competition Team to third place overall honors for the NAGA New England Adult Gi division.  With a teaching style that is warm and engaging, but a grappling style that is aggressive and uncompromising, Fabiano will push you to develop your skills to a whole new level.

Striking:  Russell Leak

Sifu Russell Leak began training Jeet Kune Do under Master Instructor Chris Smith in 2003.  In the years that followed Russell honed his striking, grappling and weapons technique earning his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Fabiano in 2007 and the rank of Apprentice Instructor under Sifu Smith and Grand Master Richard Bustillo of the International Martial Arts and Boxing Academy (IMB) in Torrance, Ca.  Russell has helped coach and train many of the fighters on the IMB-CT fight team for both MMA and striking competition.  In addition, Russell also serves as manager for Underdog Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu LLC and the IMB-CT fight team.

Strength and Conditioning:  Kevin Doyle

Coach Doyle has had a lifelong passion for athletics and competition.  A Hartford native, Kevin played football, track and lacrosse in high school and prep school at Northwest Catholic High School and Suffield Academy.  He played football during his college years at Assumption College.  He was also a competitive power lifter until 2006.  In 2003, he became a strength and conditioning coach at Northwest Catholic High School.  During this time Kevin helped coach their football team to five consecutive conference titles and they were recognized as the best conditioned high school athletes by a study conducted by the UCONN Kinesiology department in association with Gatorade.  In 2005, Kevin became a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer.  In the summer while working at Northwest Catholic High School, Kevin ran his FASST (Functional Athletic Strength and Speed Training) speed and sport specific training camps for athletes from 5^th grade up through college level.  In 2009, Kevin earned his purple belt under Fabiano with a hard fought 1st place finish @ the 1st Ct BJJ Open tournament

Wrestling:  Josh Kaplan

Josh began training at UBJJ in the August of 2009.  He brings a wealth of wrestling experience to our academy.  Josh has been involved in the sport of wrestling for over 12 years, wrestling all four years at Canton High School in Connecticut, and then at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.  Since graduating from college Josh has stayed involved in the sport of wrestling volunteering as an assistant coach at his former high school.  He enjoys coaching and helping the development of new students.  Josh’s folkstyle wrestling class is a great workout and it is educational at the same time; the perfect compliment to our striking and BJJ classes.

At the 2009 NAGA NAGC competition Josh took first place in his first ever BJJ tournament, placing first in both the white belt and beginner no-gi divisions, winning ten matches total for the day, four by submission.  Josh earned his blue belt for that performance, making him the fastest person to ever earn a blue belt under Professor Teles.

Assistant Instructors

Rafael Quinones

Aaron Olk

Chris Smith

Fabiano (bottom) as a blue belt in Brazil.

  Fabiano and Bitta during 2007 seminar.

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