Jorge Patino

Jorge Luis Patino, universally known by his iconic nickname “Macaco,” is a legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt under Waldomiro Perez Junior and a pioneer of professional mixed martial arts (MMA). An incredibly intense and colorful figure, Macaco was a central architect of the ultra-competitive São Paulo grappling scene during the 1990s and 2000s, legendary for his ferocious fighting spirit and bitter rivalries.

Early Life and the Birth of Cia Paulista
Born on May 8, 1973, in São Paulo, Brazil, Patino was an exceptionally athletic and high-energy child. Before discovering Jiu-Jitsu, his primary athletic outlets were competitive Judo and Rugby.

In 1992, at the age of 19, Patino was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by his neighbor and close friend, Roberto Godoi. Godoi brought him to train under Waldomiro Perez Junior, the founder of the famous Cia Paulista academy. Patino proved to be a remarkably quick study, and by 1994, Perez, Godoi, and Macaco joined forces to open an affiliate gym together.

The Split and Intense Cross-Town Rivalries
The joint venture lasted only a year before Godoi and Macaco broke away from Perez to establish their own independent academy. Around this time, Macaco also made his professional MMA debut, fighting five times in 1995 alone. His aggressive style and willingness to fight anyone elevated the new team’s name across Brazil.

In 2001, a severe financial disagreement caused an aggressive falling out between Macaco and his longtime partner, Roberto Godoi. Patino left to form the Macaco Gold Team. The feud became deeply personal; the two former friends routinely clashed at local tournaments, exchanging harsh words before trading victories on the mats. The rivalry finally culminated in a highly publicized professional MMA bout, which Macaco won via TKO.

Macaco was also famous for his multi-year, volatile feud with the late Ryan Gracie. The two frequently traded insults in the media, which famously boiled over into a physical backstage altercation at a local combat sports event. Though Macaco repeatedly challenged Gracie to an official fight, the matchup never materialized.

Transition to Chute Boxe and Coaching Legacy
To evolve alongside the rapidly changing landscape of mixed martial arts, Macaco recognized he needed to vastly improve his striking. He joined the world-famous Chute Boxe academy, training alongside legendary modern strikers while simultaneously running his Macaco Gold Team branches.

As a coach, Macaco’s intense training methodologies proved highly effective, cementing his legacy as a premier talent scout and mentor. He is directly responsible for developing and producing top-tier MMA world champions and standouts, most notably former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles “do Bronx” Oliveira and light-heavyweight contender Thiago Silva.

Main Achievements
While best known for his legendary wars in the MMA cage, Patino achieved elite success on the international grappling circuit:

1st Place: IBJJF Pan American Champion (2000*, 2001)

1st Place: Circuito de Lutas MMA Champion (1995)

2nd Place: IBJJF Pan American Championship (1997 brown)

3rd Place: CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2000)

3rd Place: ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship (2000)

*Closed out the bracket with teammate Roberto Godoi

Fighter Profile
Nickname Origin: “Macaco” translates to monkey in Portuguese. He was given the name by a childhood friend because he was constantly climbing trees and leaping around his neighborhood.

Weight Division: Peso Meio-Pesado (88.30 kg / 194.5 lbs)

Team Association: Macaco Gold Team / Chute Boxe