Professor Octavio "Ratinho" Couto is a 6th-degree Jiu Jitsu black belt and one of the most sought-after instructors in the world. He has a unique approach to the art, one that is based on body mechanics, physics, connection, and dynamic meditation.
Professor Octavio born in 1971, got his start in Jiu Jitsu as a teenager training under the great Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti. He sought out a jiu jitsu academy after witnessing and partaking in a fight on the beach where several Jiu Jitsu practitioners dominated the brawl, displaying the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu and making easy work of their opponents. Shortly after the beach fight Ratinho (which means little mouse) walked into the academy where several of the beach fighters were training. His friends told him not to because the students there remembered Ratinho from the fight and were not pleased with him being there. But Octavio was determined and once he went in and proved himself he began training Jiu Jitsu at an almost obsessive pace.
Octavio was a fierce and highly successful competitor but after the early passing of his father Octavio needed to focus more on earning an income to help his family and he dedicated himself to instructing. Over the next several years Octavio developed his instructing style, a style that led him to co-found Team Brasa in 2002, AKXE BJJ one of the largest academies in Rio, as well as developing the training methods for the Italian Police Force, and defense training for Airline staff.
After moving to the United States in 2007 Professor Octavio became a Jiu Jitsu consultant. He has traveled almost one million miles across the globe spreading his knowledge of Jiu Jitsu. He has been a consultant for fighters around the world and coached world champions in both competitive BJJ and MMA, including Strikeforce and UFC Champion Fabricio Werdum. He has also released BJJ instructional videos for BJJ Fanatics.
With over 35 years of experience, Professor Octavio has seen Jiu Jitsu expand as a sport and martial art, and has expanded his own knowledge at the same time, becoming one of the most influential Jiu Jitsu Professors in the world.
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