Since 2008 | World Champions | One Family
Checkmat Jiu Jitsu Organization
Founded in 2008, Checkmat was born out of a passion to create a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team rooted in family, positivity, and excellence. Today, that same passion lives on through 200+ schools worldwide, shaping a genuine and supportive global community of BJJ practitioners.
We are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions.
We are Family.
We are CHECKMAT.
History of Checkmat
Early Success
Checkmat is one of the most successful teams in the history of competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Despite being a relatively young team, it has made a powerful impact on the global BJJ scene with numerous world championship titles and a strong international presence in over 16 countries.
The name “Checkmat” cleverly combines the terms “checkmate” (as in chess) and “mat” (the battleground of BJJ), symbolizing the strategic and tactical nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
How It All Started
Checkmat was founded by Leonardo Vieira and Ricardo “Rico” Vieira, two elite grapplers raised under the legendary Alliance team in the 1990s. In 2002, after internal disagreements within Alliance led to the expulsion of several fighters, the Vieira brothers joined the newly-formed Brasa team.
However, over time, the brothers felt Brasa lacked direction and strong leadership. Determined to create something better, they broke away and in 2008, launched their own team — Checkmat.
From those bold beginnings, Checkmat quickly grew into a powerhouse in the BJJ world, known for producing champions, fostering community, and preserving the purity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.