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Two training partners meeting on the mat.Drawn in cream, forest green, and muted terracotta. People and objects are symbolic illustrations.
Portrait unavailable. General BJJ illustration; not a likeness of this person.Illustration: The BJJ Story

Vinicius Bittencourt Almeida Magalhaes

“Draculino”

Source: gbpearland.com

Draculino built Gracie Barra schools in Belo Horizonte and Houston, teaching students to develop their own styles while continuing to compete.

Biography

Vinicius Bittencourt Almeida Magalhães, known as Draculino, built his teaching career in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Houston. A student of Carlos Gracie Jr. and a Pan Championship winner, he developed Gracie Barra schools whose pupils included competitors with markedly different approaches to jiu-jitsu. His accounts of teaching explain that variety: students needed a broad grounding, then room to develop a style of their own. ## From Rio to Belo Horizonte Born in Rio on July 30, 1971, Draculino had practiced judo before taking up jiu-jitsu as a teenager. In a 2019 interview, he traced the introduction to friends from surfing in Barra da Tijuca and lessons with Totila “Pitoco” Jordan. He recalled training under Carlos Machado at Club Gracie, continuing with Jean-Jacques Machado through purple belt, and then studying under Carlos Gracie Jr., whose classes he had already attended twice a week. Teaching began in Rio. The Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte academy’s biography describes him working with beginners at Gracie Barra, teaching alongside Roberto “Gordo” Corrêa at Marina Barra Clube, and helping Renzo Gracie with classes in Ipanema and at Sociedade Hípica Brasileira. The same account places two qualifications in 1995: his black belt and a law degree from UFRJ. BJJ Heroes reports that he practiced law briefly before making jiu-jitsu his profession. In the mid-1990s, Draculino and Carlos Gracie Jr. established Gracie Barra BH in Belo Horizonte. The academy attributes the choice of city partly to his wife’s family connections and partly to the opportunity to build a school there. His work as an instructor continued alongside competition. At the 1996 Pan Championship, he won the adult black-belt light-featherweight division. Two years later he took the Pan title at featherweight and finished second in that division at the World Championship, representing Gracie Barra. ## A school with several teachers Draculino’s description of coaching starts with fundamentals and training focused on particular situations. From that foundation, students could develop techniques suited to their bodies and preferences. He pointed to Samuel Braga’s flexibility in guard, the ground position in which a practitioner uses the legs to control an opponent; Rômulo Barral’s spider guard; and Erik Wanderley’s half guard and pressure. In his explanation, these differences belonged within the same teaching approach. He wanted pupils to exceed his achievements, while recognizing success in teaching and personal development as well as competition. Lucas Valente’s recollections show how the Belo Horizonte school worked for a young student. His uncles trained under Draculino, and he grew up around the academy, learning from several instructors. Valente recalled joining the adult class at twelve, where older and stronger training partners made technical understanding essential. He credited both Draculino and his uncle with daily guidance. When discussing promotion to black belt, he described Draculino looking beyond results to a student’s behavior and maturity. The school continued through a group of instructors after Draculino moved abroad. In a December 2009 interview, he described colleagues maintaining the Belo Horizonte classes while Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo had joined him in Houston as head instructor. Asked about his team, Draculino identified the Belo Horizonte work as his proudest teaching accomplishment and said he wanted to build something comparable in Texas. ## Teaching while still competing In an essay written in 2008 and later republished by Graciemag, Draculino dated his move to lead Gracie Barra Texas in Houston to May that year. He also explained why, at 37, he returned to adult competition after concentrating on pupils and mixed martial arts. He wanted his new students to see that an instructor could continue to enter tournaments. His account of the 2008 No-Gi Worlds, contested without the traditional training jacket, covered both success and a mistake. He described winning his veteran featherweight division before losing to Johnny Ramirez in the adult competition. While trying to pass Ramirez’s guard, he had entered a triangle choke. Reflecting on the match, Draculino accepted responsibility for the error and credited Ramirez. He also cautioned readers against imitating his refusal to submit. The lesson he offered included admitting a poor decision, rather than treating persistence alone as an achievement. A local invitation brought him back to MMA in 2010 after roughly five years away. Before Strikeforce Houston, he described preparation involving conditioning, striking, wrestling and jiu-jitsu, with help from fellow coaches and students. He placed this return within a much longer working life as a teacher, describing MMA as a comparatively small part of it. On August 21, he beat Rocky Long by unanimous decision. ## How he explains control Draculino’s technical teaching gives a more detailed picture of what he means by preparation. In an interview republished by Graciemag in 2020, he separated attacking an opponent’s back into four problems: getting there, staying there, overcoming the opponent’s defenses and completing a submission. He explained that pressure while advancing through positions could make an opponent turn away. Once behind, the attacker needed to keep the hips aligned, maintain contact with the chest and adjust the legs as the opponent moved. To explain the value of retaining a position, he recalled a training exchange with his student Carlos Terrinha. By his account, he spent 45 minutes controlling Terrinha’s back before securing a submission. The anecdote illustrated the patience he wanted students to bring to positional work. He also described changes in his own approach as he aged: with less speed available, he relied more on pressure and increasingly used mount, the position astride an opponent’s torso. Gracie Barra Texas now identifies Draculino as a seventh-degree coral belt, the red-and-black rank. BJJDOC reported that Carlos Gracie Jr. presented it to him at Gracie Barra’s Florianópolis headquarters on December 6, 2025. Gracie Barra Pearland’s instructor page lists him as head instructor of both Gracie Barra Texas and Gracie Barra BH.

Sources for this profile

  • Gracie Barra BH, VINICIUS DRACULINO, August 27, 2010.(opens in a new tab)

    • The academy biography dates his black belt to March 1995 and his UFRJ law degree to July that year.

      Where in the source: Diplomas paragraph — “Em 1995”.

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    • Conflicting accounts

      The academy biography dates the opening of Gracie Barra BH by Draculino and Carlos Gracie Jr. to October 1995.

      Where in the source: Diplomas paragraph — “Em outubro”.

      Accessed:

    • Vinicius Bittencourt Almeida Magalhães, known as Draculino, was born in Rio de Janeiro on July 30, 1971.

      Where in the source: Opening paragraph — “30/07/1971”.

      Accessed:

    • His early teaching included Gracie Barra beginners, classes with Roberto ‘Gordo’ Corrêa at Marina Barra Clube, and assisting Renzo Gracie in Ipanema and at Sociedade Hípica Brasileira.

      Where in the source: Teaching paragraph — “Marina Barra Clube”.

      Accessed:

    • The academy biography says Belo Horizonte was chosen partly for his wife’s family connections and the city’s market potential.

      Where in the source: Choice-of-city paragraph — “potencial de mercado”.

      Accessed:

  • Gracie Barra Pearland, About Draculino, undated.(opens in a new tab)

    • Vinicius Bittencourt Almeida Magalhães uses the nickname Draculino.

      Where in the source: Biography opening — “(Draculino)”.

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    • Pearland’s biography identifies Draculino as a coral belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. and dates his birth to July 30, 1971.

      Where in the source: Opening biography — “July 30, 1971”.

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  • BJJ Eastern Europe, interview with Vinicius Draculino, August 15, 2019.(opens in a new tab)

    • Draculino recalled that surfing friendships in Barra da Tijuca led to teenage jiu-jitsu lessons with Totila ‘Pitoco’ Jordan; he had previously trained judo.

      Where in the source: Opening answers — “surfing”.

      Accessed:

    • He recalled studying with Carlos Machado at Club Gracie, then Jean-Jacques Machado through purple belt, and finally Carlos Gracie Jr.; he already attended Carlos’s classes twice weekly.

      Where in the source: Training-path answer — “purple belt”.

      Accessed:

    • Draculino described broad fundamentals and situation-specific training as preparation for students to develop specialties suited to their bodies and preferences.

      Where in the source: Coaching answers — “specific training”.

      Accessed:

    • He illustrated this approach through Samuel Braga’s flexible guard work, Rômulo Barral’s spider guard, and Erik Wanderley’s half guard and pressure.

      Where in the source: Coaching examples — “Erik Wanderley”.

      Accessed:

    • He wanted students to surpass his achievements and viewed competitive, teaching and personal accomplishments as different forms of success.

      Where in the source: Students and success answers — “better than I am”.

      Accessed:

  • BJJ Heroes, Vinicius ‘Draculino’ Magalhães, undated.(opens in a new tab)

    • BJJ Heroes reports that he worked briefly as a lawyer before dedicating himself professionally to jiu-jitsu.

      Where in the source: Relocation paragraph — “worked as a lawyer”.

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  • Graciemag, Especial: Pare de bater na trave nas finalizações com as dicas de Vinícius Draculino, March 29, 2020; interview first printed in issue 256.(opens in a new tab)

    • In a technical interview, Draculino divided back attacks into establishing position, maintaining control, neutralizing defenses and finishing.

      Where in the source: First technical answer — “quatro aspectos”.

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    • He explained how pressure from passing and dominant positions could induce an opponent to turn away, and emphasized hip alignment, chest contact and adaptable leg hooks in retaining back control.

      Where in the source: Reaching and holding the back — “ganchos”.

      Accessed:

    • He recalled holding his student Carlos Terrinha’s back for 45 minutes in training before finishing, using the memory to explain patience and positional control.

      Where in the source: Training recollection — “45 minutos”.

      Accessed:

    • He said declining speed with age had made pressure more central to his game and that he was using mount more often.

      Where in the source: Final answer — “velocidade”.

      Accessed:

  • Jeff Liwag, Grappling Insider, Gracie Barra’s Golden Boy: An Interview With Lucas Valente, June 29, 2020.(opens in a new tab)

    • Lucas Valente described growing up around Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte because his uncles trained under Draculino, with several instructors contributing to his development.

      Where in the source: Opening answer and teachers section — “two of my uncles”.

      Accessed:

    • Valente credited daily guidance from Draculino and his uncle, and said Draculino judged readiness for black belt through conduct and maturity as well as competitive ability.

      Where in the source: Advice and black-belt answers — “whole package”.

      Accessed:

    • Valente recalled entering the adult class at twelve, where stronger, older partners pushed him toward technical understanding.

      Where in the source: Finishing-technique section — “12 years old”.

      Accessed:

  • Graciemag, Vinicius Draculino, Jiu-Jitsu e os vagalumes no breu, August 26, 2024; republication of Draculino’s 2008 essay in issue 139.(opens in a new tab)

    • In an essay about 2008, Draculino dated his move to lead Gracie Barra Texas in Houston to May that year.

      Where in the source: Beginning of first-person account — “mês de maio”.

      Accessed:

    • He wrote that he returned to adult competition at 37 after focusing on MMA and pupils, intending to show his Houston students that instructors could keep competing.

      Where in the source: Explanation of competitive return — “37 anos”.

      Accessed:

    • He described winning his veteran featherweight division at the 2008 No-Gi Worlds, then losing to Johnny Ramirez in the adult bracket after entering a triangle choke during a pass.

      Where in the source: Veteran and adult match narrative — “Johnny Ramirez”.

      Accessed:

    • Reflecting on the Ramirez match, he acknowledged his mistake, credited his opponent and discouraged others from copying his refusal to submit.

      Where in the source: Closing reflection — “ninguém deve pensar em seguir”.

      Accessed:

  • Graciemag Newsroom, After 25 years of Jiu-Jitsu, Draculino trains with Frank Edgar and comments on Strikeforce debut, August 12, 2010.(opens in a new tab)

    • Before Strikeforce Houston in 2010, Draculino explained that a local matchmaking invitation drew him back to MMA after about five years away.

      Where in the source: Introduction and invitation answer — “Saul Soliz”.

      Accessed:

    • He described preparing across conditioning, striking, wrestling and jiu-jitsu with help from coaches and pupils, while considering MMA a small part of his longer teaching life.

      Where in the source: Preparation answer — “all the aspects”.

      Accessed:

  • Graciemag, Strikeforce: Feijão and Jacaré take titles; Galvão knocks out Macaco, August 22, 2010.(opens in a new tab)

    • Draculino defeated Rocky Long by unanimous decision at Strikeforce Houston on August 21, 2010.

      Where in the source: Draculino paragraph and event dateline — “August 21, 2010”.

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  • Graciemag, Draculino full blast into 2010, December 29, 2009.(opens in a new tab)

    • In December 2009, Draculino said several instructors maintained teaching in Belo Horizonte while Marcelo ‘Uirapuru’ Azevedo had moved to Houston and served as head instructor there.

      Where in the source: First academy answer — “Marcelo Uirapuru”.

      Accessed:

    • Graciemag’s December 2009 introduction dates the Belo Horizonte Gracie Barra branch to 1995 and names Rômulo Barral among its black belts.

      Where in the source: Opening historical paragraph — “1995”.

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    • Draculino called his work in Belo Horizonte his greatest accomplishment as a teacher and hoped to build something similar in Houston.

      Where in the source: Answer about his team — “greatest achievement”.

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    • He was developing an instructional website for instructors without access to an established teaching method, featuring technique, strategy and training footage.

      Where in the source: New-project answer — “instructors”.

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  • IBJJF, World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 1998, official results.(opens in a new tab)

    • Representing Gracie Barra, Vinicius Magalhães placed second in adult male black-belt featherweight at the 1998 World Championship.

      Where in the source: Category “Adult / Black / Male / Feather”; second place Vinicius.

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  • IBJJF, Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 1996, official results.(opens in a new tab)

    • Vinicius Magalhaes of Barra Gracie won adult male black-belt light featherweight at the 1996 Pan Championship.

      Where in the source: Category “Adult / Black / Male / Light Feather”; first place Vinicius.

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 1998, official results.(opens in a new tab)

    • Vinicius Magalhaes of Gracie Barra won adult male black-belt featherweight at the 1998 Pan Championship.

      Where in the source: Category “Adult / Black / Male / Feather”; first place Vinicius.

      Accessed:

  • Gracie Barra Texas, Professor Draculino Earns Coral Belt, undated.(opens in a new tab)

    • Gracie Barra Texas identifies Draculino as a seventh-degree red-and-black coral belt.

      Where in the source: Opening promotion paragraph — “7th Degree”.

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    • Draculino holds seventh degree in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

      Where in the source: Opening promotion paragraph — “7th Degree”.

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  • John Davis, BJJDOC, Carlos Gracie Jr. Promotes Draculino to Coral Belt, December 8, 2025.(opens in a new tab)

    • BJJDOC reported Carlos Gracie Jr. presenting Draculino with his coral belt at Gracie Barra headquarters in Florianópolis on December 6, 2025.

      Where in the source: Opening ceremony paragraphs — “December 6”.

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  • Gracie Barra Pearland, Instructors, undated.(opens in a new tab)

    • Gracie Barra Pearland identifies Draculino as head instructor of Gracie Barra Texas and Gracie Barra BH.

      Where in the source: Vinicius profile opening — “head instructor”.

      Accessed:

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