Meet the Professors Behind Horizon
Horizon Jiu Jitsu Academy is led by Professors Fabio Coelho and Mathaus Moreira, two lifelong Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, with decades of combined experience training, competing, and teaching.
From the mats of Brazil to Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, they have built their careers around high-level Jiu Jitsu and helping students of all ages develop skill, confidence, discipline, and a lasting connection to the art. Fabio remains listed among Renzo Gracie Academy’s current BJJ instructors.
Their Approach to Teaching
High Standards. Patient Instruction. Genuine Investment in Every Student.
Technical knowledge matters, but knowing how to teach it matters just as much.
Fabio and Mathaus believe students progress best when high-level instruction is paired with patience, structure, encouragement, and attention to the individual. Their goal is to make Jiu Jitsu understandable and challenging without making the academy intimidating.
That approach is reflected in how students and parents describe training with them: knowledgeable and technically detailed, but also welcoming, patient, positive, disciplined, and genuinely invested in helping people improve.
Whether they are helping a child build confidence, introducing an adult to Jiu Jitsu for the first time, or working with an experienced competitor, the focus remains the same: teach well, challenge appropriately, and help every student continue progressing.
Professor Fabio Coelho
More Than 30 Years Dedicated to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Professor Fabio Coelho began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age 14 under renowned professor Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães. He earned his black belt in 2006 under Cristiano “Titi” Lazzarine and Draculino before continuing his development within the Renzo Gracie lineage and becoming a longtime instructor at Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City. RGA’s current profile confirms his Belo Horizonte roots, early training under Draculino, black-belt lineage under Renzo Gracie, and teaching role at the academy.
Over more than three decades on the mat, Fabio has developed a deep understanding of the technical and strategic side of Jiu Jitsu while teaching students across a wide range of ages and experience levels.
His approach emphasizes strong fundamentals, precise technique, strategic thinking, and understanding why a technique works rather than simply memorizing movements.
Just as importantly, students describe Fabio as patient, encouraging, positive, and exceptionally knowledgeable. His ability to break complicated concepts into understandable pieces allows beginners to build confidence while giving experienced students the detail they need to continue refining their Jiu Jitsu.
At Horizon, Fabio brings together decades of experience, authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a teaching style centered on helping every student reach their potential.
Professor Mathaus Moreira
A Lifelong Practitioner With a Passion for Developing Students
Originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Professor Mathaus Moreira began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age 11 and has spent more than 18 years training in the art.
He began teaching in 2017 and went on to spend several years at Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, working with students of all ages and helping develop its youth Jiu Jitsu program.
Mathaus also brings extensive competition experience to his teaching, having tested his Jiu Jitsu in world-class competition throughout his development. Competing against accomplished athletes in demanding tournament environments has given him firsthand experience applying technique, strategy, composure, and problem-solving under pressure, perspective he now brings into the way he teaches and develops his students.
That competitive background is only one part of what he brings to students.
Parents and students consistently emphasize his ability to combine structure and discipline with an engaging, welcoming teaching style. He has particular experience working with children, helping young students stay focused, enjoy training, and build confidence while learning real Jiu Jitsu.
At Horizon, Mathaus is committed to creating a family-oriented environment where kids and adults can be challenged, feel supported, and continue developing both on and off the mat.
What Students & Parents Say
“For the past several years, I’ve trained one-on-one with Fabio. You’d have a tough time finding a better teacher and human being. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without a smile on his face. His knowledge of jiu-jitsu is on another level. What’s even more impressive is the insane amount of patience, positivity, and encouragement he brings to teaching it.”
Hunter Seidman
“Both myself and my children have had the privilege of training under professor Mathaus. He is extremely welcoming to everyone from beginners to experienced competitors. He takes safety, especially for beginners or those without experience, very seriously.
With the kids, Mathaus can command a class of 60+ and keep discipline, develop skills and confidence.”
Eric Weinberg
“Mathaus and Fabio are two of the best instructors I’ve met. They are amazing with kids and world-class teachers for adults! I highly recommend to anybody at any level who wants to train Jujitsu from beginners to advanced!”
Nicholas Koury
From Belo Horizonte to New York to Horizon
Built on Tradition. Created for the Next Generation.
Fabio and Mathaus share more than a hometown.
Both grew up learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Belo Horizonte before eventually bringing their experience to New York and becoming part of the Renzo Gracie Academy community. Fabio’s RGA biography specifically traces his start in Belo Horizonte under Draculino, while Mathaus’s competition record documents years representing Renzo Gracie Academy.
Horizon is the next chapter of that journey.
The academy gives them the opportunity to bring together the traditions and technical standards that shaped their own development with the type of training environment they want to create for their students: serious about Jiu Jitsu, welcoming to beginners, supportive of families, and built for long-term growth.
Come Train With Fabio & Mathaus
Credentials can tell you where a professor has been. The best way to understand how they teach is to experience a class yourself.
Meet Fabio and Mathaus, step onto the mat, and see whether Horizon is the right place for you or your family.
Your first class is free.
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