Began training in the martial arts at the early age of seven. Started training in Judo around the age of 12. About 2 years after that was introduced to BJJ. He is the only certified Black belt under the legendary Jacaré Cavalcanti in the Carolinas. He is also the highest ranking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt in North and South Carolina and  the only Black belt in North Carolina Certified under the Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu (CBJJ) headed by Carolinhos Gracie and the Rio de Janeiro State Jiu Jitsu Federation (fjjrio) which is the oldest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation in Brazil which was started by Helio Gracie and now is headed by Renzo Gracie's Father Robson Gracie.
 
He also worked on several projects teaching women's self-defended Rape prevention Clinics / Seminars, Kids Safety programs, as well as personal protection, and self-defense classes at hospitals, Colleges and numerous private businesses throughout North Carolina. He also was the Guest instructor for the 2002,2006,2007,2008 ,2009 and 2010 USJA Judo Camp . Also working together with ANOTHER CHOICE a Foster care  agency in Charlotte, NC Providing Free Classes for there Kids. 

He has taught defensive tactics (Subject Control & Weapons Retention) to numerous Law Enforcement agencies and personnel (FBI, Mecklenburg county Sheriff Dept Trainees, DEA, Fire Dept Trainees and US Navy Seals, Marines, and the Air Marshall's  just to name a few). He is recognized as the leading subject control and weapons retention instructor in the Carolinas. Luis is also the President of the North Carolina Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation. 

 Following the strict teaching methods of Jacaré Cavalcanti, the Sucuri BJJ provides the purest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Carolinas. At Sucuri BJJ you grow as a family. That is why Sucuri BJJ is ranked the #1 Team in the Carolinas. The list of  Champions is all a reflection of Sucuri as a person, friend, coach, and instructor.

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Jacaré is a 7th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

He was the 1977 and 1978 Brazilian National Champion. He has trained more than 50 Brazilian champions, and is the head instructor of the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Team. He is highly regarded as one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the world. 

Upon opening his first academy in 1985, he rapidly established a reputation as a gifted instructor and trainer of champions. Since it's inception, Jacare's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy (and the current Alliance affiliates) has consistently held top ranking in all major competitions. Founder of the Alliance Team and Master Jiu Jitsu Team (with 10 member Brazilian academies, each headed by a Jacaré awarded Black Belt instructor), his eleventh academy, located in Atlanta Georgia, is sure to rapidly gain recognition as one of the finest facilities in which to study and train in BJJ. 

Jacaré is the instructor of noted Brazilian champions such as Fabio Gurgel, Roberto Traven, Alexandre Paiva, Anderson Xavier, Leo Costello Branco, Eduardo Jamelão, Leonardo Vieira, Fernando Gurgel, and Vinícius Campelo just to name a few...

Jacaré (Portuguese for 'Alligator') grew up on the mean streets of Rio and holds the last of only five Black Belts awarded by the legendary Rolls Gracie. Gracie, before his death in a 1982 hang-gliding accident, was considered the best Gracie fighter of his era. Following the death of Rolls, Jacaré trained for three years with Helio and Rickson Gracie at the famed Gracie Academy, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the decade spanning between 1975 and 1985, Jacare competed extensively bringing numerous titles home to the Gracie Academy. Armed with knowledge and experience in competition, he decided it was time to start his own academy. 

Jacaré believes his art to be the most complete, practical and proven form of self defense in existence today. Men, women and children can benefit from BJJ training. Jacaré is a hands on instructor who personally teaches the majority of the classes at his Atlanta academy. Devoted to his students, he continues to find the time to travel with them to competitions throughout the world. 

As one of the founders of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation, he has high hopes for the future of BJJ in the US and throughout the world. Jacaré is available for seminars. For information (seminars, group, private, or semi-private classes), call the academy at 404-843-0606.