Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro
Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro (born February 24, 1979 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) specialist and mixed martial artist (MMA). He holds a professional MMA record of 20 wins and 2 losses.
Widely regarded as one of the most gifted grapplers of all time, the Nova Uniao product earned his black belt while still a teenager and went to on to win the CBJJ Mundials (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship) four times, once as a purple belt in 1996 and three times as a black belt in three consecutive years (1999, 2000, and 2001). He competed in the ADCC World Championship, the most prestigious no gi grappling competition in the world in 2000 and 2003.
"Shaolin" is considered one of the best lightweights in MMA. He has fought several organizations all over the world, including Shooto Japan, Shooto Hawaii, Rumble on the Rock (Hawaii), Cage Rage (England), and K-1 HERO'S (Japan). He has held the Shooto welterweight (154 lb) title, as well as the Cage Rage World lightweight championship. FIGHT magazine recently named Shaolin as one of the fighters they'd like to see on the Brazilian team if MMA ever makes it into the Oympic Games.
With his new academy, Modern Martial Arts, Shaolin's focus now turns to sharing his vast knowledge with his students and building their skills through a solid Jiu Jitsu foundation.
Other Staff
Jen Sung - Program Director
Jen was born into a Martial Arts family, both her parents being Black Belts, and has been training since she could walk. She is a 2nd degree Black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a BJJ purple belt. Because of her passion to teach and her love for children, she decided to make the Martial Arts a career. In late 2008, Jen jumped at the opportunity to help BJJ legend Vitor Shaolin build his school and get a once in a lifetime chance to train with the world champion. Jen is the Program Director and kid's instructor at VSBJJA. Her favorite part of the day is getting on the mats with the kids and watching their dedication, perseverance, and love for the Martial Arts grow into Black Belt excellence.
Marcos "Loro" Galvao - Instructor
Loro is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Nova Uniao founder André Pederneiras. He is a Grapplers Quest Pro Division Champion, a five time Brazilian National Champion and a two time World Champion. He has fought in the WEC, Shooto, Ring of Combat, and is currently in contract with Bellator Fighting Championship. He has a great passion for teaching the sport of MMA to others, and encourages his students to never give up on their dreams, whatever they are. He is greatly inspired by his family, and cites helping his mother build her house as one of his proudest accomplishments.
Alex Ecklin - Instructor
Alex has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since September of 2006. He currently holds the rank of Brown Belt and continues training daily with Shaolin and Marcos Loro. A well-rounded martial artist, Alex has trained in several other arts and also holds the rank of green belt in Judo. He believes that BJJ is not only great for getting in shape but that it also builds confidence and develops a strong character that will help in other aspects of life. He enjoys eating, cooking, fashion, reading and watching classic movies. Alex is still actively competing and his favorite positions are the kimura and sweeps from half guard.
Van Allen Flores - Instructor
Van began his training with Shaolin in 2008. After years of dedicating himself on the mat and to the school, he was promoted to brown belt. Now he trains and teaches full time at the academy. He loves to teach and share techniques with his students. He takes joy in watching them improve not only in BJJ, but life in general. He also enjoys competing in BJJ tournaments and has won several tournaments in his young career. He believes that through perseverance, you can achieve and attain anything! He credits his positive mentality and outlook on life to his instructors Shoalin and Marcos Loro, as well as his training partners and friends! OSS!
Located in the heart of Time Square, in Manhattan
Our facility is fully equipped with men's and women's locker rooms with 4 private showers.
Committed to providing a safe, clean, and friendly environment.
I have trained at many schools throughout the US and have had some excellent instructors, but Shaolin has certainly been the greatest instructor I have trained with. His passion and dedication to you and your success is top notch. I am tempted to move back to New York just so I could train with him more. - Kipp Sorensen
I have trained under many instructors in many disciplines, and Professor Shaolin's passion for Jiu Jitsu, and the level of care he gives to every student, from white to black, is unsurpassed. He takes the time to build your game from the ground up, even if he has to tear it down first. So much so that he transformed me, a top playing Judo guy, into a sweep crazy guard player. If you want an instructor to show you a couple of random submissions then walk off the mat while you roll, Shaolin is not for you. If you want someone to REALLY teach you what Jiu Jitsu is about, come to VSBJJ. - Julio Rivera
Shaolin is a great teacher with a vast knowledge of BJJ, and is always willing to help you with techniques! - Shaun Gumbs
It's one thing to be a black belt. Quite another to be, as others have said on this forum, a living legend. But what good is all that if you can't teach? Thankfully, teaching is Shaolin's greatest gift. He cares deeply about the art of BJJ, the curriculum and the well-being of his students. Case-in-point: En route to Japan to fight Shinya Aoki, Shaolin took time from his travels to reach out to me, one of his many students, to ask about a recent (and minor) injury. Who else does that? - Tim Griggs
Coming to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Vitor Shaolin is one of the best decisions I've ever made. Within my first three months, I dropped almost 30 pounds and started feeling much better overall. Running for a bus no longer leaves me out of breath, and I can chase my son around the park for hours. Now, 9 months after starting, I'm down from 195 to 160, and I can see my abs for the first time since college. As a side effect, I found my lifestyle becoming healthier in general, even my posture has improved. That's not too bad for a 43-year-old software engineer
I won't say it was an easy achievement, though. The first few classes really pushed me to my limits. However, BJJ is so interesting and challenging on so many levels that it was easy to stick to it. Shaolin is a great teacher, he's very involved in all the classes and there's a good balance between learning and practicing. Also, the people I've met there are really great - it is more like a family than a gym or a school. I highly recommend coming here if you are at all interested in BJJ, or just getting healthier. - Matt Van Horn
I did not want to go out this way. I didn't want to leave my wife a widow to raise children alone because i was too lazy to shape up. I wanted to do what kept me fit during my teens and early twenties. The answer was Martial Arts. I shopped around for several schools and enjoyed the tour at each facility, then I saw a flyer for a MMA expo being held at the Javitz Center. A defining moment in my new life was when I took a fan picture with Wanderlei Silva and was disgusted with myself. I dwarfed one of the most intimidating MMA figures with my unhealthy girth. That chance encounter was the last straw
The following week I walked into the martial arts school, non the less at 297lbs with a pre diabetic condition, fatty liver symptoms, simple put I was overweight. When I first started working out, I was always out of breath in the first 15 minutes. Heart was pounding in my ears. It was insanely difficult, but it was worth it. I knew each time I came to class, I would be making myself better in some way. The environment at the school fostered brotherhood and confidence. After 10 months I lost 50lbs and now I disappear in my clothes. Do yourself a favor and join us! - Arlande Julien
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