Union Team BJJ

Led by 8th degree BJJ Master Ricardo Murgel, Union Team BJJ is the Premier Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Headquarters for kids, teens, and adults seeking to learn REAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and self defense techniques in Alpharetta, GA.

I am Ricardo Murgel, The Head Coach, Instructor, and Founder of the Union Team. I am one of the few (less than 20) 8th Degree Masters of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the world. I have a unique background, with no parallel to any other BJJ Master or Professor. I am currently 70 years old. l started my Martial Arts & Law Enforcement Journey at the age of 12, back in 1957, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. I am a Judo Black belt, with extensive training in Boxing, Muay-Thai, Luta Livre(Free Style Grappling), Submission Grappling, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), as a competitor, Instructor, and Coach. I also have weapons expertise covering edged and improvised weapons as well as firearms. I am the only 8th Degree Master of BJJ that also is certified by the Peace Officer Standard Training Council (P.O.S.T) as a Guest Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor. I have been sharing my practical, hands on experience all over the world for more than four decades now.

In the field of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts, my accomplishments speak for themselves. I have trained and continue to train and coach hundreds of competitors, including dozens of World, National, and State BJJ and Submission Grappling champions. I have also trained and coached MMA fighters in the Pride Championships and the UFC. As a Law Enforcement Instructor, with specialties in Extreme Close Quarters Combat and Science of Human Behavior (a.k.a. Management of Aggressive Behavior), I have instructed Law Enforcement Agencies all over the world, including Elite Forces.