Romero “Jacare” Cavalcante

When you win the Mundials, you are at the top of the Grappling World. When you win it twice, you are elevated into the rarest air. One such Champion is Roberto Traven, and his words, transcribed below, must be read with the greatest care and respect:

“I consider Jacare to be the best Jiu-Jitsu instructor in the world.”

Romero "Jacare´" Cavalcanti began training in the early 60s. Soon he was in the Gracie school in Copacabana. Considered by many to be the golden age of BJJ, a single small class could contain Carlos Gracie Jr., the Machados, Rickson Gracie, Crolin Gracie, Fabio Santos, Mauricio Gomes, and others destined for international acclaim.

In time he received a black belt from Rolls Gracie, just months before his tragic passing. Jacare backed up his mat science with academic science, earning a BS in Physical Education at Gama Filho University Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And the science was proved on the mat, where he was the two times Brazilian Champion, and many times Champion of Rio de Janeiro State.

Moving from success to extraordinary success, Jacare founded the Alliance Team, which is always among the top performers on Earth, winning two overall World Championships. Stellar Team Alliance members include Fabio Gurgel, Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros, Felipe Neto, Ratinho, Terere, Roberto Traven, Leo and Rico Vieira, and countless others.

While attending school in the USA, Jacare came to love the country like his own, and in 1995 moved here with his family, opening the world famous Alliance Martial Arts Center. The Atlanta-based program has continued the unbreakable tradition of turning out world class Grappling competitors. It also drew under its banner world class Muay Thai instructor Manu Ntoh, and master of Capoera Mestre Fran.

In addition to the sporting side of martial arts, of particular importance during these troubling time, Jacare, in association with Matt Larson, was chosen by the Army Rangers in Fort Benning, GA. and several Law Enforcement Agencies as their main instructor.

Now a 6th degree black belt, Jacare is not just one of the leading forces of Grappling in the Southeastern United State, or the USA, he is one of the leading forces in the World.

Because he was a great champion in Brazil;

Because he created what many call the greatest team ever;

Because he works tirelessly to perfect the fighting skills of elite soldiers battling terrorism;

Jacare is hereby inducted into the Grappling Hall of Fame as a Founding Member

For further information on Jacare, please visit www.alliancebjj.com

"I want to make a difference and leave a legacy to this world." -Jacare