Roberto Maia
Roberto Maia was among Gracie Barra teachers who left Brazil for Boston; Kenny Florian, John Connors, and John Fain are documented as his black belts.
Biography
Sources for this profile
Gracie Barra, “História,” accessed 13 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Gracie Barra’s official history identifies Mestre Roberto Maia as one of the organization’s first teachers to leave Brazil for Boston.
Where in the source: “2000 – A Globalização do Jiu-Jitsu Brasileiro” — paragraph beginning “A esta altura, a Gracie Barra tinha muitos Faixas-Pretas”.
Accessed:
Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Woburn, “Our Instructors,” accessed 13 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Woburn identifies Roberto Maia as the founder of Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, established in 1995, and says his current gym is in Bellingham, Massachusetts.
Where in the source: “Our Instructors” — Roberto Maia entry, sentences beginning “Roberto Maia is” and “Roberto’s current Gym”.
Accessed:
UFC, “Florian and The Pursuit of Perfection,” accessed 13 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
A UFC profile of Kenny Florian describes Florian as a black belt in jiu-jitsu under Roberto Maia.
Where in the source: “Florian and The Pursuit of Perfection” — paragraph beginning “A black belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Maia”.
Accessed:
Connors Martial Arts Academy, “Instructor,” accessed 13 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
John Connors’s academy biography says he received his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Roberto Maia at Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in October 2006 and has operated his own academy since July 2005.
Where in the source: “Head Instructor” — paragraph beginning “John started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in January of 1999”.
Accessed:
Triumph BJJ, “About Us,” accessed 13 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
Triumph BJJ says John Fain opened the Nashua academy in 2007 with Roberto Maia’s support and received his black belt from Maia in 2011.
Where in the source: “About TRIUMPH BJJ” and John Fain’s “Program director/head instructor” biography.
Accessed: