​Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ)

Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani is a 5th degree Black Belt and World Champion in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ). He is the Head BJJ Professor/ Coach at CheckMat North Carolina. He started BJJ at 16 years old under Professor Rillion Gracie. Soon after Mushu moved to Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and began training with one of the Grandmasters, Carlson Gracie’s Black Belts, Fernando Pinduka. After many years of training and competing, he was rewarded with his Brown Belt and relocated to New York with his family. He continued his training with Roni Cardosa, an Alliance Black Belt under Fabio Gurgel. In 1999, he became a Certified BJJ Black Belt under Jacare Cavalcanti.