Grappling Magazine
Paulo Guillobel
One of the Elite
By Jose Fraguas

Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Guillobel is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructors in the United States. He recently won the 2003 Pan-American Championships, setting an example of how a dedicated instructor can also successfully compete in big tournaments. A persistent dedication to success, despite major obstacles, has always been Guillobel's driving force. Displaying the qualities of an original thinker, he has a very analytical approach to both learning and teaching: "Regardless of what style of martial arts you are practicing, you should always allow room for additional knowledge to improve what you have. Don't think that you know everything - or that what you know is all there is to know - because you'll be digging you won hole." By combining the positive elements of athletic competition with the deeper aspects of true martial arts instruction, Paulo Guillobel has truly transformed himself into "one of the elite."

Q: How long have you been practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu?

A: Since 1988. My First teacher was Jorge Pereira - a Carlos Gracie Jr. black belt - and I have been training with the Machado brothers for the last four years. During this time, I have successfully competed in many tournaments and events. I won national and state competitions in Brazil, and since my arrival in the United States I have been competing in tournaments all around the country. In 2003, I won the Pan Ams. That was a great feeling because only the best compete in it. When I was in Brazil, I trained jiu-jitsu, judo and boxing, but I also started training in wrestling once I got to the United States. Wrestling is a different form of grappling that can create some problems for a BJJ practitioner due to its ways of attacking, defending, and controlling an opponent on the ground. It lacks submissions and other tactical aspects of jiu-jitsu, but it is very helpful in many aspects of ground control. I truly think that wrestling complements Brazilian jiu-jitsu very well. You need to know how to make both arts blend in a smooth way. Wrestlers have great training methods and drills that nay jiu-jitsu practitioner can benefit from.

Q: Was jiu-jitsu easy for you to learn?

A: When I first started jiu-jitsu, it was very easy to learn the techniques. I felt like it was my martial art. I was always one of the best in my weight at every belt, but to get really good you have to train and stretch a lot in order to avoid injuries and to get your game flowing. Physical talent doesn't mean anything if you don't put in time on the mat. You may be better than another guy in the first stages of the training, but if he trains more than you he will make you tap regardless of your natural talent. Hard work and consistent training are more important than natural talent. Talent without passion and dedication means nothing. But if you have natural talent and also work hard you can become a legend in any sport.

Every day at the academy I learn something new. When I got my black belt I felt like I was starting all over again. Plus, the Machado brothers have plenty of things to show and I feel very lucky to have a chance to learn from them. A lot of my previous perceptions of jiu-jitsu have changed with the years. Today, we have great instructors all over the world and you have to be more dedicated if you really want to be good at it. I have been extremely lucky since I always had great teachers and excellent training partners. With a great teacher next to you, it is easier to improve your technique and performance. You have to learn to be patient and understand that the good things take time. In any sport or activity excellence won't happen overnight - jiu-jitsu is no exception. Jiu-jitsu is not an easy martial art, which is why it is one of the best martial arts.

Q: What changes have you seen in jiu-jitsu since you started?

A: Compared to 20 years ago, there are BJJ schools all over the world now. There are a lot of people in different cultures who see the same concept in different ways - this gives BJJ different options to expand. Bu the bad news is that jiu-jitsu used to be more relaxed and technical in the past. Now we have a bigger tactical arsenal but a lot of people lack the basic foundation that helps you to reach the higher levels of the art. Evolution is good as long as we don't forget who we are and where we came from.

Q: What should a person do if they want to train jiu-jitsu?

A: The first thing is that you have to look for a good school, because not all academies offer a good training and teaching method. Then when you start, commit yourself to the training and go for it - that is the way to have fun. The better you get the more fun it will be. Also, remember to train smart and don't go crazy. Injuries will come very easy if you don't train wisely and these injuries will slow your progress.

In mixed martial arts, you need a good trainer and coach to guide you. Unfortunately, too many people jump into the cage without proper training. Some teachers send their students to fight too soon because they want to become championship trainers, but they don't realize that you can't do that unless you truly prepare your students. What is really unfortunate is that the students don't know any better and follow their teacher's orders - even if these are crazy! A good teacher prepares a student the right way before sending him to fight mixed martial arts or vale tudo.

Q: What drives you to keep training and teaching?

A: I love what I do and I think this is the thing that pushes me day after day. The fact that I keep learning every day - there is always something new on the mat - keeps me on my toes. I love to compete and BJJ helps me to keep in shape too.

Q: Who would you liked to have trained with?

A: There are two people I would love to have trained with - Rickson and Royler Gracie. I am a huge fan of those two. I have been watching them fight my whole life - ever since I was a kid - and they have been the motivation for my personal training and for my desire to compete. They are the number one examples of what all jiu-jitsu practitioners want to be.

Q: How do you prepare yourself before a tournament?

A: I meditate a lot. I always try to connect with my inner self. I also stretch a lot and try to relax, focusing on my breath and my heartbeat. I also do the "Gimnastica Natural," which helps me a lot on my moves and speed when I'm using jiu-jitsu techniques. The bottom line is that jiu-jitsu has to be natural. If there is any technique that is not natural then you have a problem. That's why BJJ is so different from other arts - you have to adapt the techniques to your own body to make them work. Not everybody can perform them the same jiu-jitsu technique the same way. A jiu-jitsu technique is not a ballet movement that all the dancers have to follow exactly. You have to understand the principles of why and how the technique works and then adapt it to your own body structure. Only then can you truly express real Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Q: What fighter has inspired you?

A: I have always admired Jean Jacques Machado. Every time I look at him or train with him I realize here is a guy who was born with a limitation - only half a hand in a sport where grip is everything - but yet became the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. If he could overcome something like that, then all my petty complaints mean nothing. He is my biggest spiritual inspiration.

Q: Why do you practice jiu-jitsu?

A: That is a hard question because the answer involves many personal factors that are different for each individual. Everyone has a different point of view about this subject; some do it to get more self0confidence, some learn to fight, others because it is a good workout and simply makes them feel good. I think BJJ is a way of life, a challenge, a physical chess game. It is far more than simply fighting or grappling with another person. In Japan, the symbol of jiu-jitsu is water - that's because water is adaptable to any space, is unbreakable, and flows - but yet it is always water. It changes its shape but not its form. That is how I see jiu-jitsu and that's how the art should be used in competition. I also think it is how we should act in our personal lives.

Q: What are the most important qualities of a successful BJJ competitor?

A: There are several. The first is determination - you have to focus on what you are doing and train hard to be the best. The next is humility - you need to be humble to respect who is at a higher level than you because you are going to have to learn from them. You have to respect everyone but fear no one. Finally, you need courage and lots of creativity.

On the physical level I would say cardio and flexibility are the most important aspects, but you also have to work on your strength - because sooner or later you are going to need it. You should never only lift weights, because you might get stiff and lose your endurance - which in jiu-jitsu is extremely important. Weeks before the competition, you have to work on sprints to get quicker; that will help you to gun your engine when you need it.

Q: Is it beneficial for BJJ competitors to study other martial arts?

A: That depends on your final goal. If you want to be a BJJ competitor, you have to spend all your time on the mat, training. Judo and wrestling will help in this. However, kickboxing, kung-fu or karate won't do much for you. There fore, there is no need for a jiu-jitsu practitioner to spend time training in other arts. But if you want to be an MMA fighter, you have to study a martial art that teaches you how to strike and to defend against punches and kicks. This kind of training will give you more options when you are facing an opponent in the cage.

Q: How does fear affect a competitor's performance?

A: I have felt fear many times during my competitions. Fear of losing, of getting hurt, of not doing your best are all reasons why someone may feel fear. But you can use fear to your own advantage because you need fear to develop courage. A good fighter overcomes his fear, but if you let fear take control of you then it is going to be hard to succeed in a fight or in life. If something scares you then you should face it. If you do that, then you have beaten fear. Courage is nothing more than having done something before.

Q: What are your thoughts on the future of jiu-jitsu?

A: I think we need more organization. We have the best product but we don't know how to sell it. We have to go after the big sponsors and get them to invest money in what we are doing - but in return we need to show a cohesive structure they can rely on. I like the way NHB has been managed; it is helping jiu-jitsu grow. Sport jiu-jitsu and submission fighting need events with credibility and professional referees, judges, and accredited organizations. We're starting slow but we'll get there.

Q: What's the key for beginning students to stay in the art?

A: Keep training and believe that you are learning the best martial art ever. BJJ is growing fast and one day, for sure, it will be a very big sport. But in order to make this happen we all need to work together with the same goal in mind! New students should learn how to be patient and remember to always show respect for your partners. Try to focus on what you are doing with determination. Have the courage to train with everyone and to balance all the aspects of your life. All practitioners should develop these qualities from the early stages of their jiu-jitsu training. And like Jean-Jacques Machado likes to say, "Leave your ego at the door.