About Us

Welcome to BJJ Battalion, where passion meets discipline in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our school is dedicated to providing top-notch martial arts training in a supportive and inclusive environment. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn self-defense or an experienced practitioner aiming to refine your skills, we have something for everyone.

RICCARDO CARMINATI GALLI

Owner/Head Instructor

Born in Italy and raised in Switzerland, Riccardo started Judo at the age of 5, at 14 he was introduced to Sambo and at 17 he became Swiss champion. One year later he began fighting and competing in MMA. He has had the opportunity to train alongside the likes of Igor Yakimov, UFC 6 Tournament Champion Oleg Taktarov and David Rudman.

At the age of 20, Riccardo, moved to Russia where he trained at the University of Moscow. During his time there he was introduced to the Combat-Sambo World Team where he was able to train with multiple time Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko.

Riccardo then moved to Canada, 4 years later, and began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Toronto BJJ under professor Jorge Britto and was able to meet and learn from Saulo Ribeiro, Xande Ribeiro, Royler Gracie and John Danaher.

Riccardo open up BJJ Battalion with a goal to make champions, both in competitive scenes to everyday life.

Using decades of experience to teach the next generations the most effective techniques.

LINEAGE

JORGE BRITTO

Jorge Britto is a 4th degree Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt. He is the founder of the Jiu Jitsu for Life team with Josh Rapport. Among other achievements he is the 2015 World Masters Champion, 2010 ADCC European Qualifier Champion and 2009 World No-GI Masters Absolute Black Belt World Champion.

Vinicius Aieta

Vinicius “Vini” Aieta is a highly regarded Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a black belt under Royler Gracie he became the head coach of Gracie Tijuca (an affiliate gym of Gracie Humaitá) who’s had tremendous influence in the development of some elite grapplers such as: Leticia Ribeiro, “Xande” Ribeiro, Vinny Magalhaes, Gustavo Correa, Fabricio “Morango” Camoes and many others. He has also been called on to coach his own master (Royler) for a few of his MMA fights.

Saulo Ribeiro

Saulo Ribeiro is a legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner and 6th-degree black belt under Royler Gracie, recognized as one of the sport's greatest competitors with 5 IBJJF World Championships and 2 ADCC titles. He is known for winning world titles across four different weight classes and for co-founding Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu with his brother, Xande Ribeiro.

Royler Gracie

Royler Gracie (born December 6, 1965) is a legendary 8th-degree coral belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, coach, and retired mixed martial artist. As the son of Grandmaster Helio Gracie, he is a 4-time World BJJ Champion, 3-time ADCC Champion, and former leader of the famous Gracie Humaitá academy in Rio de Janeiro.

Hélio Gracie

Hélio Gracie (1913–2009) was a Brazilian martial artist and co-founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, widely known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). As a 10th-degree red belt, he refined traditional Japanese Judo and jujutsu, prioritizing leverage and technique over strength, enabling smaller individuals to defeat larger opponents. He is considered the patriarch of the Gracie family legacy.

Carlos Gracie

Carlos Gracie (1902–1994) was a Brazilian martial artist and the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (now commonly known as BJJ), who established the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in 1925. A student of Japanese judoka Mitsuyo Maeda, he adapted traditional techniques for street self-defense and popularized the style through, open-challenge fights (Vale Tudo). He is considered the patriarch of the Gracie family, developing the art with his brothers, including Hélio Gracie, and initiating the global spread of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

MITSUYO MAEDA

Mitsuyo Maeda (1878–1941) was a Japanese judoka, prize fighter, and "groundwork" (newaza) expert who is widely considered one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Known as "Conde Koma" (Count Combat), he traveled internationally to demonstrate Judo's effectiveness in no-holds-barred matches. In 1914, he moved to Brazil, where he taught his fighting techniques to Carlos Gracie, establishing the foundation for what became BJJ.

Tomita Tsunejirō

Tomita Tsunejirō (富田常次郎; February 28, 1865 – January 13, 1937), born Yamada Tsunejirō (山田常次郎), was the earliest disciple of judo. His name appears in the first line of the enrollment book of the Kōdōkan.

KANŌ JIGORŌ

Kanō Jigorō (1860–1938) was a Japanese educator, athlete, and founder of Judo, the first Japanese martial art to gain widespread international recognition and become an Olympic sport. He established the Kodokan Judo Institute in 1882, transforming traditional jujutsu into a pedagogical system focused on physical, mental, and moral development. He was also the first Asian member of the International Olympic Committee.