The Coaching Team
Learn from certified
black belts
Every program at Carlson Gracie Miami is led by black belt instructors — with a 6th degree master at the helm.
Michel “Buiu” Porfirio Pereira
6th Degree Black BeltFounder • Program Director • IBJJF Certified
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Master Buiu began Judo at age five and found Shotokan Karate as a teenager in Leblon, where his master gave him his first chance to teach. In 1992, two friends — both Carlson Gracie students — introduced him to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and by 1994 he was already an instructor at Nova Geração, helping build future world-stage competitors.
In 1999 he became the first black belt produced by Nova Geração. He went on to teach across Brazil and alongside Ricardo Liborio — the Carlson Gracie black belt and World Champion who founded American Top Team — in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.
His proudest work came off the podium. From 2001, his project Educating Children for the Future taught free Judo and Jiu Jitsu to 300 impoverished children in the Dona Marta favela — some of whom appeared in the films City of God and City of Men. When government funding stopped, he kept teaching anyway, out of love for the art and the kids.
He arrived in the U.S. in 2006, moved to Miami in 2007, and opened Carlson Gracie Miami in 2008. Under his leadership the academy has produced world champion competitors at every belt color. In 2021 he opened his second school, Ghost Squad Castle Rock, bringing the same authentic art to Colorado.
Jose Pita
2nd Degree Black BeltHead Professor • Strength Training Coach
Born and raised in Miami, Jose found Jiu Jitsu in 2013 through longtime family friend Professor Brian Hargrove's Friday Night Fundamentals class — and discovered a passion that never let go. He earned his black belt under Master Buiu in 2018.
After seeing how strength and conditioning transformed his own game, Jose built conditioning into his coaching. It's a family affair — his wife and daughter train too.
Marco Prado
1st Degree Black BeltKids & Teens Professor
Originally from Venezuela, Marco grew up competing in Karate-Do before finding his home in Jiu Jitsu. A black belt under Master Buiu, he has trained and competed with the team for years — winning gold eight times at the IBJJF Miami International Open across two weight classes and two age divisions.
A lifelong youth coach in baseball, volleyball and track, Marco believes a good foundation in life is the key to success — and his son and daughter train right alongside him.
The Full Team
More black belts in your corner
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