More Than a Jiu-Jitsu School
Every school has a story. Some begin with a business plan. Others begin with a dream.
Bulls BJJ Colorado was built from a lifelong passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a mission that extends far beyond competition. Behind the Bulls name is Professor Marco Almeida, a Brazilian black belt whose journey has taken him from small-town Brazil to coaching internationally before establishing Bulls BJJ in Colorado.
Today, Bulls is recognized for helping children, adults, and entire families discover the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a welcoming environment where everyone belongs.
A Dream That Changed Direction
Like many Brazilian children, Marco Almeida dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. Unfortunately, recurring spinal injuries forced him to leave that dream behind at an early age.
Everything changed when he was 14 years old.
While watching television with his father, Marco saw the very first UFC event. A smaller, lean fighter named Royce Gracie was defeating much larger and stronger opponents using Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
That moment changed his life forever.
Marco immediately decided he wanted to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Waiting for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Arrive
There was one problem.
At that time, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was still concentrated mainly in Rio de Janeiro and had not yet spread across Brazil. Marco lived in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, where there were no BJJ schools.
Instead of giving up, he dedicated himself to other martial arts, including:
Throughout those years, Marco earned titles in every martial art he practiced. Yet his dream of training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu never disappeared.
The Beginning of His BJJ Journey
In 1999, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu finally arrived in his hometown.
Marco joined the local academy, which was led by a blue belt under the supervision of Grand Master Júlio Secco, one of the highest-ranked practitioners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
His dedication quickly stood out.
After earning his blue belt, Marco became an instructor within the same team, helping develop new students while continuing his own journey.
Becoming a Black Belt
After eight years of training, Marco realized he needed to continue learning from larger and more established academies.
He began training in the state capital under Professor Gustavo Ramos Campos (“Guto”), who awarded him his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt in 2013.
Receiving his black belt was not the end of the journey.
It was only the beginning.
Building Champions
Over the following years, Marco became a multiple-time champion in numerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organizations.
His greatest accomplishment, however, was developing others.
Students who began with no experience became successful competitors under his instruction, while his teams consistently earned top finishes in team championships.
The Birth of Bulls
In 2016, Marco officially founded Team Bulls.
The inspiration for the name came from an unexpected place.
Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, Marco had another passion: raising Bull Terriers. His registered kennel operated from the same property as his academy.
Students often watched the dogs playing and rolling together before class.
One day they jokingly told Marco:
“Coach, you train us and you train the dogs—we feel like Bull Terriers too.”
Over time, “Bull Terriers” became simply “Bulls.”
Marco realized that building a team around a strong identity rather than a personal name would create something that could grow far beyond himself.
The Bulls name was born.
Coaching on the International Stage
Marco’s success as both a competitor and instructor led to an invitation to become the head coach of the Kazakhstan National Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team.
Working with elite athletes allowed him to expand his coaching philosophy and represent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu internationally.
A Life-Changing Accident
During his time in Kazakhstan, Marco suffered a serious training accident that required two surgeries and three months of hospitalization.
The experience changed his perspective.
Rather than ending his passion for teaching, it strengthened his desire to use Jiu-Jitsu to improve people’s lives—not only through competition but through personal development.
After recovering, he chose to begin a new chapter in the United States.
Bringing Bulls to Colorado
In 2024, Marco officially opened Bulls BJJ Colorado.
This time, his vision was different.
Instead of focusing primarily on building champions for tournaments, he wanted to build a school where every person could experience the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Whether someone wants to:
there is a place for them at Bulls.
A School Built for Families
Today, Bulls BJJ Colorado has become especially known for its children’s program.
Parents often tell us that their children gain confidence, discipline, focus, and respect while having fun.
It is also common to see entire families training together.
Fathers, mothers, and children regularly share the mats, creating memories while improving their health and learning valuable life skills.
This family atmosphere has become one of the defining characteristics of Bulls.
Looking Toward the Future
The story of Bulls is still being written.
Every new student becomes part of that story.
Our mission remains simple:
To use Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a tool to strengthen families, build confidence, develop character, and create better citizens for future generations.
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