A man wearing a black Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi, smiling, standing in a martial arts studio with logos on the wall and patches on his gi.
A woman in a black martial arts gi with a red and black belt, celebrating with her arms raised, at a martial arts competition or event.
Mixed martial arts fighter standing in the octagon with a serious expression, wearing a black compression shirt with a red graphic and text, and a chain-link fence background.
A man in a white Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi sitting in a seiza position on a mat, with hands on hips, in front of a large black and white dojo logo featuring the words "Randonori BJJ" and "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu."

  • Lead Instructor

    Hailing from the vibrant city of São Paulo, Brazil, he began his Jiu Jitsu journey at just 13 years old in 2003. Now a proud Black Belt under the renowned Marcelo Mafra and a dedicated member of the prestigious Checkmat Team, Professor Joao continues to refine his craft under the guidance of Professor Lucas Leite.

    Training alongside some of the world's most skilled black belts, he constantly pushes his limits and expands his expertise. With years of coaching and teaching experience, Professor Joao brings passion, precision, and energy to every class.

  • No-Gi Instructor

    Marcelo Fausto, is a highly accomplished jiu-jitsu black belt under Thiago Abreu, developed at The House FC in São Paulo, Brazil—a renowned Checkmat affiliate. Born on November 20, 2000, in São Vicente, Brazil, Marcelo first explored martial arts through judo but found his true passion in jiu-jitsu at age 10.

    Training under coaches like Tio Chico and later Thiago Abreu at The House, Marcelo quickly rose through the ranks, earning numerous titles as a colored belt, including IBJJF World and Pans Championships at blue belt. Known for his aggressive style and signature "Botinha" (collar-grip straight ankle lock), Marcelo made a strong debut in the black belt division with wins over elite competitors like Ashley Williams and AJ Agazarm.

    Promoted to black belt in 2021, Marcelo continues to represent Checkmat as a top lightweight competitor, showcasing the technical prowess and competitive spirit honed at one of jiu-jitsu’s most respected academies.

  • Gi INSTRUCTOR

    TBD

  • Morning Instructor

    His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey began in 2009 under Professor Elizandro (Eli) Beda, a black belt under Checkmat founder Leo Vieira. From the very first class, he was hooked. Driven by an insatiable passion, he dedicated himself to training 5-6 days a week, pouring everything he had into mastering the art. Competing became his outlet, and he seized every opportunity, from regional tournaments to state and World events. Under Eli’s mentorship, he earned his blue, purple, and brown belts. Eli didn’t just teach him techniques; he helped him craft and evolve his own game, encouraging him to make it uniquely his own.

    In 2016, however, his journey took an unexpected turn. Due to work-related travel, he was forced to step away from Jiu-Jitsu for almost six years. It was a difficult pause, but fate intervened. When he finally settled down, he discovered that a Checkmat gym was opening nearby under Professor João Campos Farias. It felt like destiny—he was home again. Since the opening of Checkmat Moreno Valley Randori BJJ, he has been back on the mats, learning, training, and, most importantly, teaching. He’s passionate about helping students understand the “why” behind the “what” and encourages them to explore and improvise.

    Seeing his students have breakthrough moments, where they make a technique their own, is what drives him. Being part of Checkmat has given him the opportunity to learn from legends like Leo Vieira, Marcus Buchecha, João Assis, and many more. But beyond the world-class instruction, it’s the sense of family within Checkmat that truly makes his journey special.