Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu: Academies and Legacy
Founded 2009 by Marcelo Garcia
About Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu
Marcelo Garcia rose to international prominence in the early 2000s with a series of dominant ADCC performances — including memorable submissions of much-larger opponents. His no-gi game became foundational reference material for an entire generation of grapplers.
Marcelo opened his New York City academy in 2009 (initially as the head of Alliance NYC, later as MGiNYC). The academy has become a hub for both high-level competitors and serious recreational grapplers, with notable students including Marcelinho Garcia (his son) and dozens of competition-level black belts.
The MGiNYC online instructional platform was one of the first major subscription-based BJJ instructional sites and remains influential. Marcelo's teaching emphasizes problem-solving, position-based progression, and high-volume sparring.
Style & Philosophy
Position-driven, sparring-heavy no-gi (and gi) approach. Famous for X-guard, butterfly guard, north-south choke, and rear naked choke setups. Curriculum is conceptual more than checklist-based.
Notable Practitioners
- →Marcelo Garcia
- →Bernardo Faria
- →Mateusz Szczeciński
- →Henrique Ceconi
- →Paul Schreiner
Find a Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy (5)
New York
- Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu NYC250 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
- Marcelo Garcia Academy NYC
Dallas
- Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu of Dallas5706 E Mockingbird Ln Ste 230, Dallas, TX 75206, USA
Gainesville
- Marcelo Garcia Academy Gainesville
Mineola
- Royal
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Marcelo Garcia's academy? +
Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy NYC (MGiNYC) is in midtown Manhattan at 264 W. 40th St. It's one of the most active high-level training rooms in the world, with strong morning, afternoon, and evening sessions.
Who is Marcelo Garcia? +
Marcelo Garcia is a Brazilian BJJ black belt, 5x IBJJF World Champion (gi), and 4x ADCC champion (no-gi). He's widely considered one of the greatest no-gi grapplers of all time. He's particularly known for the X-guard, the arm drag system, and the rear naked choke.
Is MGiNYC affiliated with Alliance? +
Yes. Marcelo earned his black belt under Fabio Gurgel and remains affiliated with Alliance, though MGiNYC operates as its own brand. Most Alliance NYC alumni are also part of the broader MGiNYC family.
How much does MGiNYC cost? +
Membership is in the range of $300-$400/month for unlimited training, with single-class drop-in rates around $40-50. Pricing reflects the Manhattan location and the academy's reputation.
Related Lineages
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