Snake Pit U.S.A. Luta Livre/Luta Livre Esportiva is a separate entity/program under the Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling Association.
To earn promotions in our Luta Livre program you must successfully complete each corresponding Catch Wrestling skill level in a timely manner. This must be accomplished under the close supervision, instruction and guidance of an approved & currently recognized Snake Pit U.S.A. Representative Coach who is also one of our approved Luta Livre Rep Coaches. All Luta Livre promotions must meet the highest standards and guidelines set forth by The Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling Association.
Also known as Brazilian Catch Wrestling or Brazilian No-Gi Submission Wrestling. This program and curriculum is ONLY available to Snake Pit U.S.A. approved Representative Coaches to be instructed at their respected Snake Pit U.S.A. Official Training Centers around the world.
To apply to become an official Snake Pit U.S.A. Representative Coach and make your Academy an Official Training Center, please see bottom of page.
WHAT IS LUTA LIVRE?
Luta Livre was created by Euclydes “Tatu” Hatem in Rio de Janeiro. Hatem was one of the greatest Catch Wrestlers that ever lived and remained nearly undefeated throughout his career.
Luta Livre is a Brazilian No-Gi Submission Grappling art based primarily on Catch Wrestling with a dose of Old School ground based Judo. Euclydes “Tatu” Hatem began teaching Catch Wrestling techniques to others in Rio de Janeiro in 1927 while experimenting with some of his own innovative techniques.
”Tatu” welcomed and fought in many challenge matches with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champions culminating with his major victory over George Gracie in a Catch rules bout in 1942 when he submitted George Gracie with a reverse Double Wrist Lock.
The Art continued to expand when one of his students, Euclides Pereira defeated Carlson Gracie in 1968. The Luta Livre Art focuses heavily on takedowns, ground fighting and unlimited submissions due to their importance in Vale Tudo matches. The ground fighting includes the vast use of leg locks, which in the past was nearly completely ignored by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In the 1970s Luta Livre was strongly influenced by the father and son duo Fausto and Carlos Brunocilla. The Brunocilla’s were Tatu’s pupils and were in turn responsible for graduating many Luta Livre Masters.
Also around the 1970s, the art of Luta Livre was influenced by Roberto Leitão, a practitioner of Judo and Wrestling. Leitão also articulated the “Theory of Grappling”, sometimes referred to as “Theory of Luta Livre.”
Some of the Art’s recent prominent Grapplers & High level Mixed Martial Artists & Grapplers including UFC Champions are; Marco Ruas, Pedro Rizzo, José Aldo, Glover Teixeira, Murilo Bustamante, Renato Sobral, Rousimar Palhares & 2024 ADCC Champion, Mica Galvao
LUTA LIVRE INFORMATION & BRIEF HISTORY VIDEOS:
VIDEO CREDITS: DIDOS: YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@DIDOS
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SNAKE PIT U.S.A. HEAD COACH, JOEL BANE’S LUTA LIVRE LINEAGE:
Rufino dos Santos > Euclydes “Tatu” Hatem > Carlos Brunocilla > Hugo Duarte > Joel Bane
OUR HEAD COACH JOEL BANE IS A 5th DEGREE BLACK BELT & THE FIRST-EVER NORTH AMERICAN TO BE PROMOTED TO BLACK BELT IN LUTA LIVRE BY 9th DEGREE RED BELT/GRAND MASTER HUGO DUARTE.
TO APPLY TO BECOME AN AFFILIATE/REPRESENTATIVE COACH AND MAKE YOUR ACADEMY AN OFFICIAL SNAKE PIT U.S.A. CATCH WRESTLING & LUTA LIVRE TRAINING CENTER, SIMPLY COMPLETE THE APPLICATION AT THE FOLLOWING LINK:
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