New Brazilian Martial Arts kicks into gear

It reads like a movie script. Man fights his way out of slums, achieves international fame, loses everything, and through jiu jitsu finds religion. A man who has been through it all, the height of his dreams only to lose it all and for his redemption he gives credit to God and others.

His gym is located on Ranch Road 12 near the Junction and named Fighteria. It is a new twist in martial arts and religion, but there are many paths to God. The sign out front shows that.

Gleidson Moraes Cutis grew up in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Living in the slums, he had to protect himself from bullies. He started at five years old. “At ten or eleven jiu jitsiu came into my life and then I never stopped…I was featured in my native Brazilian state as I became state champion.”

In 2008, in his division he fought and won the World Championship in New York.

Moving to MMA in 2011 he became professional. “With a 7 and 4 record, I fought all over the world, Brazil, Canada, Italy and the U.S.” He also fought in the UFC and was featured in a world broadcast.

He got married, had a daughter and the family lived in the U.S. Then the bottom fell out. His wife moved back to Brazil with the baby. His world was shattered, family members were far away and so he moved back to Brazil.

“It was the darkest years of my life. The years 2016 to 2018, January… I went back to Brazil… I got back on track. I got lost. Too many cameras, too many lights… I became an Uber driver to make money. It was the darkest ever in my life.”

He was baptized; hope came back into his life. He started teaching his first love again, jiu jitsu, and in January 2019 he opened a school in San Marcos. Now he is located in Wimberley, giving credit to God and a new way to self-defense.

“There is a bullying culture. We are the anti-bully. You get to know yourself, your story, your identity.” He continued. “At 15 to 16, I learned to teach and have a B.A. in physical education from the Uniabeu Universitario.”

Classes are for all genders, all ages. Kids can start as early as 3 and there are also classes for teenagers, for those over 40, and “we offer strength classes for ladies, for fitness.”

According to their website, “Our students increase their balance, strength, coordination, and flexibility, while learning important skills like team work, respect, effective communication, and focus.”

Adult classes not only keep you in shape, but also teach you self-defense. Kickboxing classes are also available.

Ladies classes provide self-confidence and help to teach using confidence and using it in their daily lives. The classes show women how to defend themselves and take control of any threatening situation.

Learning from a professional, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be a fun way to protect yourself. They are located at 10330 Ranch Road 12 in Wimberley, and for more information concerning classes and times, their website is located at fighteriatx.com .