What It Means to Train Under a World Champion's Black Belt in Melbourne

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, lineage matters. Who taught your coach, and who taught theirs, shapes the quality and philosophy of the techniques you'll learn. At Good Jiu Jiu in Moorabbin, that lineage runs directly to one of the most decorated competitors in Australian BJJ history.

Who Is Marcelino Freitas?

Marcelino Freitas is a fifth-degree black belt and one of the most accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the world. A three-time World Champion, seven-time Brazilian National champion, and two-time Pan Pacific champion, Marcelino began training at age 12 under Master Andre Pederneiras — the legendary coach and founder of Nova Uniao, the team that produced fighters like Jose Aldo and Leonardo Santos.

Marcelino moved to Australia in 2010 and has been teaching, competing, and building the BJJ community across Melbourne's south-east ever since. His academy in Mordialloc is one of Australia's most respected.

Nelson Lay — Black Belt Under Marcelino

Good Jiu Jiu head coach Nelson Lay has been training BJJ since 2007. He received his black belt directly under Marcelino Freitas — a promotion that means everything in the BJJ world, because Marcelino does not promote lightly.

Nelson has competed at State, National, and Pan Pacific level, winning titles across multiple belt levels. More importantly, he has a gift for teaching. The techniques he passes on are not watered-down approximations — they're the same competition-tested methods that produced his own medal haul.

Why This Matters for You as a Student

When you train at Good Jiu Jiu, you're not learning a self-taught interpretation of BJJ. You're receiving a curriculum that has been refined through thousands of hours of competition and teaching at the highest level. The guard passes, sweeps, and submission setups you'll learn have been pressure-tested at Pan Pacific level.

Beyond the technical quality, the culture at Good Jiu Jiu reflects Marcelino's approach: technical precision, consistency, and a training environment where everyone is valued. No ego. No meatheads. Just good jiu-jitsu.

Train Where the Lineage Lives

If you're in Melbourne's south-east and want to train with a black belt who received his rank from one of the sport's greats, Good Jiu Jiu is right here in Moorabbin. Your free trial class is waiting — come see what world-class lineage feels like on the mat.