Grand Master Joe Moreira
Joe Moreira is one of the most accomplished and respected figures in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As a 9th Degree Red Belt, UFC veteran, and founder of Team Moreira, he has spent over five decades refining a system of principles that transcends sport — and applies to life.
Grand Master Joe Moreira
Joe Moreira is one of the most accomplished and respected figures in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As a 9th Degree Red Belt, UFC veteran, and founder of Team Moreira, he has spent over five decades refining a system of principles that transcends sport — and applies to life.
The Journey
A Life in Jiu-Jitsu
1960s – 1970s
Brazil — The Foundation
Joe Moreira began training Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil as a teenager, diving deep into the art during its formative years. He earned his black belt and began developing the principles that would define his teaching for the next five decades.
1980s – 1990s
UFC Era — Proving the Art
Joe competed in early no-holds-barred competition, including the UFC, at a time when Jiu-Jitsu was still proving itself to the world. He was one of the practitioners who demonstrated that technique and leverage beat size and strength every time.
1990s – 2000s
Building Team Moreira
Joe moved to the United States and began building what would become Team Moreira — an international affiliation spanning academies across the country and eventually 22 countries around the world.
2000s – Present
Red Belt — The Circle Snake System
Promoted to 9th Degree Red Belt, Joe continued refining his system of principles. The Circle Snake concept — a framework for understanding movement, position, and timing — became the cornerstone of his curriculum.