Nova União, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Nova União is a training center for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports in Rio de Janeiro, serving both beginners and competitive athletes. The academy offers programs across different weight categories and skill levels.
The center was formed in 1995 from the merging of two established organizations by André Pederneiras and Wendell Alexander. From that foundation, it developed into a leading institution for combat sports training.
This training center holds deep ties to lower-income communities, offering people there a pathway to learn martial arts and pursue professional opportunities. That connection shapes daily life at the academy and shows in the diversity of those training.
The facility is located in Rio de Janeiro and is reachable by public transportation. Visitors should check in advance about training schedules, as classes run at different times throughout the day.
One of the academy's students, B.J. Penn, made history as the first non-Brazilian to win gold in the black belt division at Mundials. This achievement brought international attention to the center and demonstrated the strength of its training methods.
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