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Head Instructor: Professor Alex "Cavalo"
Currently a 3rd Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Alex grew up in Northeast. Raised as a natural athlete, he competed in team and individual sports, including Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Volleyball, Swimming, Diving, Cross Country, Bicycling, and Wrestling. During a P.E. Class in the sixth grade, he was introduced to wrestling, where he instantly fell in love with the sport. Once in high school, he joined the wrestling team and quickly earned a spot on the varsity team as a freshman. Alex and his family moved to Orlando, Florida where he continued to earn multiple wrestling titles, including local Metro Champ and State Champ. Alex was also involved with the local USA Wrestling Club during high school and to this day, he continues to coach a local high school wrestling team.
Late in 1997, he was invited by a good friend to check out a submission grappling/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class; there, his “eyes were opened,” and he was hooked for life. Intensive training followed, during which he has had the pleasure of learning from many greats in the Jiu-Jitsu/ Grappling scene, including Carlson Gracie Jr., Royce Gracie, Ricardo De La Riva, Renato Tavares, Rinaldo Santos, Marcelo Grosso, and Matt Hughes, just to name a few. Always the competitor, Alex continues to capture multiple 1st place championships as an active team competitor.
In Alex’s words:
The grappling sports of Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling have brought me many joys and life lessons, both positive and negative. Now, I have reached the point in my life where I want to share my style to help people from all walks of life, promoting Health, Self-defense, Self-confidence, and Motivation to all ages and genders.
Being raised as a shy person, I had trouble opening up and taking a stand for myself. Martial Arts has given me the motivation and self-confidence to face any issue that life may have in store. I have learned to Never saying Never; I always look for any small step I can take to reach my goal. I never dream the Small Dream, but always dream the Big Dream, so when the Small Dream comes through it doesn’t seem impossible to reach my goal in life. Come join us at Central Florida Jiu-jitsu and through the journey learn that you, too, can dream the Big Dream and make a difference in the lives of others.
Lineage:
Black Belt: 2012
Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr > Carlson Gracie Sr > Ricardo De La Riva > Alexis Velazquez
Brown Belt: 2009
Mitsuyo M. > Carlos G. Sr. > Carlson G. Sr. > R. De La Riva > Marcelo Grosso > Thiago Domingues
Purple Belt: 2004
Mitsuyo M. > Carlos G. Sr. > Carlson G. Sr. > R. De La Riva > Marcelo Grosso > William M. Bittencourt
Blue Belt: 1999
Mitsuyo M. > Carlos G. Sr. > Carlson G. Sr. > R. De La Riva > Marcelo Grosso & Dinno Cherem
Late in 1997, he was invited by a good friend to check out a submission grappling/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class; there, his “eyes were opened,” and he was hooked for life. Intensive training followed, during which he has had the pleasure of learning from many greats in the Jiu-Jitsu/ Grappling scene, including Carlson Gracie Jr., Royce Gracie, Ricardo De La Riva, Renato Tavares, Rinaldo Santos, Marcelo Grosso, and Matt Hughes, just to name a few. Always the competitor, Alex continues to capture multiple 1st place championships as an active team competitor.
In Alex’s words:
The grappling sports of Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling have brought me many joys and life lessons, both positive and negative. Now, I have reached the point in my life where I want to share my style to help people from all walks of life, promoting Health, Self-defense, Self-confidence, and Motivation to all ages and genders.
Being raised as a shy person, I had trouble opening up and taking a stand for myself. Martial Arts has given me the motivation and self-confidence to face any issue that life may have in store. I have learned to Never saying Never; I always look for any small step I can take to reach my goal. I never dream the Small Dream, but always dream the Big Dream, so when the Small Dream comes through it doesn’t seem impossible to reach my goal in life. Come join us at Central Florida Jiu-jitsu and through the journey learn that you, too, can dream the Big Dream and make a difference in the lives of others.
Lineage:
Black Belt: 2012
Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr > Carlson Gracie Sr > Ricardo De La Riva > Alexis Velazquez
Brown Belt: 2009
Mitsuyo M. > Carlos G. Sr. > Carlson G. Sr. > R. De La Riva > Marcelo Grosso > Thiago Domingues
Purple Belt: 2004
Mitsuyo M. > Carlos G. Sr. > Carlson G. Sr. > R. De La Riva > Marcelo Grosso > William M. Bittencourt
Blue Belt: 1999
Mitsuyo M. > Carlos G. Sr. > Carlson G. Sr. > R. De La Riva > Marcelo Grosso & Dinno Cherem