Checkmat

Checkmat was founded in 2008 by brothers Leo, Ricardo, and Leandro Vieira following their departure from Brasa Clube de Jiu-Jitsu. The name merges 'checkmate' with 'mat,' reflecting the team's view of BJJ as a strategic discipline akin to chess. Led by multiple-time world champion Leo Vieira from Signal Hill, California, Checkmat grew rapidly by attracting elite competitors including Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida and Lucas Leite, and today operates over 200 affiliated schools worldwide.