Master Leo Dalla

In 1987, at the age of 13, Master Dalla started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (also known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil under Jorge Pereira. In 1993, after years of training and successful competition, and having passed through all the required belts (Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, & Brown), Master Dalla became the very first student to receive a Black Belt from Master Pereira. Known in Brazil and throughout the world simply as “DALLA”, he is one of the most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) fighters and instructors in the world.

Similar to some other martial arts, training lineage is very important in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Master Dalla’s teacher, Jorge Pereira, received his Black Belt from the legendary Rickson Gracie. We are very fortunate to have a Black Belt of Master Dalla's pedigree and seniority teaching in Northern Virginia.

Master Dalla has dedicated his life to teaching martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 2002, at the request of his well-known Black Belt student Lloyd Irvin, Master Dalla moved from Brazil and began teaching in the greater Washington, D.C. area. He teaches personally at his schools in Ballston and Woodbridge, VA every night and also instructs on a periodic basis at schools throughout Northern Virginia that are part of the BIG BROTHERS network run by a number of Master Dalla's black belts.

With Northern Virginia as his adopted home and the home of his children, Master Dalla has committed himself to spreading the teaching, practice, and philosophy of traditional martial arts through the study of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.