Leonardo Dalla

Leonardo Nunes Dalla Costa, commonly known as Leo Dalla, is a highly respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt and an influential coach who was a dominant super-heavyweight competitor during the 1990s.Early Life and Competitive CareerBorn in 1974 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dalla began training Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 13 after a friend invited him to a class. He trained exclusively under Master Jorge Pereira, earning a reputation as one of the toughest and most uncompromising grapplers in Rio’s famous “Zona Sul” (South Zone).His competitive success and dedication to the sport culminated in June 1993, when Pereira awarded him his BJJ black belt. Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, Dalla established himself as an elite international competitor, particularly feared for his relentless pressure guard passing.Co-Founding “Big Brothers”In 2000, after Master Jorge Pereira relocated to the United States, Dalla and several of his prominent training partners decided to establish an independent team. Alongside Otavio “Tatá” Duarte, Wander Braga, and Luiz Guilherme “Guigo”, Dalla co-founded Big Brothers. The academy quickly became a powerhouse, producing top-tier competitive results on the international circuit.Moving to the United States and Coaching LegacyIn the early 2000s, Dalla spent time coaching in Rockville, Maryland, where he crossed paths with Lloyd Irvin. Dalla became a pivotal figure in Irvin’s development, serving as one of his primary instructors. Years later, Irvin brought Dalla back to the United States permanently to open an academy in Virginia, where Dalla played a foundational role in growing the local East Coast BJJ community.Main Achievements1st Place: IBJJF World No-Gi Champion (2011 Senior 1)1st Place: IBJJF Pan American Champion (2007 Master Absolute, 2008 Master Weight & Absolute, 2010 Senior 1)2nd Place: IBJJF World Masters Championship (2015)2nd Place: Brazilian National Championship (1996, 2000 Absolute)2nd Place: Brazilian National Teams Championship (1999)3rd Place: IBJJF World Championship (1998, 1999)Practitioner ProfileWeight Division: Super Pesado (100 kg / 221 lbs)Favorite Technique: Pressure Guard PassingLineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Jorge Pereira > Leo Dalla