Fight Sports is a Grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy and team based out of Miami, Florida. It was founded in 2011 by multiple time world champion Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu. Fight Sport's competition team includes a number of jiu-jitsu's top competitors, including many ADCC qualifiers. Fight Sports is also an internationally known Jiu Jitsu affiliation with 32 schools worldwide.[1]
 | |
| Date founded | 2011[1] |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | US |
| Founder | Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu[1] |
| Arts taught | Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Grappling |
| Official website | fightsportsglobal |
History
editFight Sports started as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) academy established in Miami in 2011 by six-time World No-Gi and ADCC champion Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu, one of the most decorated BJJ competitors in history. In July 2022, there were Fight Sports schools affiliates on four continents and over thirty schools worldwide.[1]
In June 2021 Fight Sports announced partnering with Melqui Galvao's project in Brazil, providing an exchange program between their HQ in Miami and their location in Manaus, Brazil. 18-year-old Mica Galvão announced that he was now representing Fight Sports team going forward in competitions, just like most of the Melqui Galvao-trained athletes.[2] One of the best represented teams heading to the 2022 ADCC World,[3] in June 2022 the team announced having hired wrestler Pat Downey to prepare for the Championship.[4] In January 2023 Melqui Galvao announced leaving Fight Sports to open his own academy in Jundiai, Sao Paulo, Brazil.[5]
Sexual assault cases
editIn 2020, a BJJ black belt under Abreu and instructor at Fight Sports Naples, Marcel Goncalves, was accused of sexual assault by a student of his who was 16 years old at the time of the incident.[6] Initially, Abreu drew heavy criticism for his handling of the claims and how he chose to comment on them before he eventually put out a further statement that denounced Goncalves' actions.[7] Since then, Abreu has also been named in a civil suit on the same matter, where he and Fight Sports LLC were accused of "failure to properly oversee its trainers and instructors and its failures to properly care for vulnerable minors training at Fight Sports’ gyms."[8][9] On June 17, 2023, a summary judgement was issued in the case that ruled in favor of Abreu and Fight Sports.[10]
In 2023, a second sexual assault lawsuit named both Abreu and Fight Sports LLC, stemming from an incident concerning another affiliated gym.[11] Mandy Schneider was allegedly sexually assaulted by Rodrigo da Costa Oliveira, the coach of Rockstar Martial Arts Gym in Frisco, Texas, in a hotel room. The lawsuit stated that Schneider told the managers of the gym, but they did not inform her parents or the authorities and instead ordered her to stay quiet.[12] The lawsuit claimed that "The repeated failures of Roberto Abreu and Fight Sports to ensure the safety of underage athletes have fostered an environment ripe for such abuse."
Notable members
editA list of current and former members:
- Aaron "Tex" Johnson[13]
- Sofia Amarante[14]
- Fabricio Andrey[15]
- Valdir Araújo[16]
- Daniel Azevedo [17]
- João Costa[18]
- Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu
- Rodrigo Francioni[19]
- Micael Galvâo[20]
- Marcel Gonçalves[21]
- Maggie Grindatti[22]
- Jacob Mackenzie[23]
- André Porfirio[24]
- Natasha Quiza[25]
- Diogo Reis[26]
- Ricardo Rezende[27]
- Vagner Rocha[28]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "What you need to know about the Fight Sports Jiu Jitsu Team". Jiu Jitsu Legacy. March 1, 2022.
- ^ Hancock, Will (June 14, 2021). "FG MGMT & Fight Sports Announce Partnership with Mica Galvao & Diogo Reis". Fighters Choice – Supplements Developed by Fighters for Fighters.
- ^ Stockton, Corey (February 7, 2022). "Grappling Bulletin: Fight Sports Dominates Trials, Sends Four To ADCC". FloGrappling.
- ^ Coate, Ben (June 15, 2022). "Pat Downey named Fight Sports wrestling coach for ADCC World Championships". Grappling Insider.
- ^ "Melqui Galvao Leaves Cyborg's Fightsports Association". Bjj Eastern Europe. January 4, 2023.
- ^ "Naples martial arts coach accused of sexually assaulting minor". Wink News. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ Burne, Kathrine (August 13, 2021). "Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu And Vagner Rocha Respond To Fight Sports Sexual Assault Allegations". JitsMagazine. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Phil (December 10, 2021). "Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu Sued For Mishandling Sexual Assault Claims At Fight Sports". JitsMagazine. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ Majchrowicz, Michael. "Miami Jiujitsu Legend, Fight Sports Gyms Implicated in Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit". Miami New Times. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ Rogers, Kian (June 24, 2023). "Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu And Fight Sports Win Summary Judgement In Sexual Assault Lawsuit". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ Phillips, Sabrina (June 27, 2023). "Fight Sports And Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu Named In Second Sexual Assault Lawsuit". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
- ^ "Texas jiu-jitsu fighter raped as minor by instructor, world champion named in lawsuit". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
- ^ "Aaron "Tex" Johnson". BJJ Heroes. October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Sofia Amarante". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Fabricio Andrey". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Valdir Araújo". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Daniel Azevedo". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "João Costao". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Rodrigo Francioni". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Micael Galvâo". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Valdir Araújo". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Maggie Grindatti". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Jacob Mackenzie". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Valdir Araújo". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Natasha Quiza". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Diogo Reis". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Ricardo Rezende". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Vagner Rocha". BJJ Heroes. July 27, 2020.