Answers from a BJJ Black Belt

Bruno Brandao

Q. Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in Jiujitsu?

A. I started to training about 14 years old at Brazilian Top team in Brazil where I got my black belt by Murilo Bustamante and Enock Albuquerque.

Q. What advice would you give to your younger self starting your Jiujitsu journey? What advice should they ignore?

A. Keep going, no matter what ! “ the pain you feel today will be your strength tomorrow”

Q. In your experience, what intensity of training is best for learning? How is this achieved? (e.g., proportion of drilling, light sparring, intense sparring in a session/week)

A. Training Monday to Friday Rest Saturday and Sunday. Warm up with drills , position and porrada . 1hr per session.

Q. How often are you experimenting with new moves and positions vs. refining existing techniques within your arsenal?

A. Always try new moves to expand your mind . But always repeat the existing techniques to make your JIU JITSU sharp !

Q. Do you have any advice on recovery and preservation for BJJ, or any practices you wish you implemented earlier?

A. Rest is very important as training. Ice bath and sauna . Also Health food !

Q. Do you use strategies or game plans for upcoming matches or competitions? If so, can you provide an example?

A. 100% focus on your game . Always Believe in your game. JIU jitsu is 20% technique , 20% mind , and 60% heart . Oss

Q. Pre-competition nerves are common—do you have any advice or tips on managing them that you or your students implement?

A. Feel the nerves , they are so important to make your ready for war , Burn the ships ! Be ready to death. Ossssss

Q. Strength and conditioning can be the deciding factor in a match between equally skilled opponents. Do you do any strength & conditioning? Can you give insight into what that looks like?

A. Strength and conditioning are so important. But BJJ drills and training are the way .

Q. When preparing for a match/competition, what does your training look like? (e.g., 8 weeks out, training twice a day, etc.)

A. Half training, half rest !

Q. What’s something you now know that you wish you knew earlier in your Jiujitsu journey? (Techniques, training methods, business advice, etc.)

A. Drills are the secret ! Old school was not a smart training!