Today we’d like to introduce you to Vagner Rocha.
Brazilian born Vagner first began training Martial Arts at the age of 16 while growing up in South Florida. Currently, Rocha is the founder/owner and master instructor Vagner Rocha Martial Arts (VRMA) located in Pembroke Pines FL, as well as an active professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor. VRMA has been established since 2008.
Early into his Jiu Jitsu training, Vagner displayed exceptional talent, and quickly stood out as a top student for his rapidly growing skills, technique, and superior work ethic. Through competition, Rocha emerged as one of the top grapplers from the state of Florida winning the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation’s (IBJJF) Pan American Championship and placing 3rd in the IBJJF’s World Jiu Jitsu Championship in 2007. Along the way to these prestigious victories, Rocha consistently proved his superior grappling ability as a multiple-time Grapplers’ Quest, Copa America, and NAGA Advanced Division Champion. Also in 2007, Rocha was awarded his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under esteemed grappler Pablo Popovich and successfully completed his certified instructor training.
Beginning in 2009, Rocha began his professional MMA career fighting in notable organizations including Bellator (defeating Igor Gracie) and Strikeforce. In between professional MMA bouts, Rocha continued to put his grappling dominance on display by winning the ADCC North American Trial in 2010. With an impressive MMA record, Rocha was signed by the UFC and made his promotional debut against perennial top contender Donald Cerrone in 2011. In just his second UFC bout, Rocha defeated Ultimate Fighter alumni Cody McKenzie by submission due to a rear naked choke. That same year, Rocha won the 2011 Abu Dhabi World Pro trials as well as medaled in both his weight and the absolute division of the Abu Dhabi Professional Championship.
After another UFC bout against Jonathan Brookins in 2012, Rocha fought for the South Florida based Fight Time Promotions winning the ISKA Title Belt by submitting Mike Bruno and becoming the promotion’s Lightweight Champion. As champion, Rocha fought and dominantly defended his title three times within 2013. Victories included a unanimous decision against Kamrin Naville, a submission victory by rear naked choke against James Reese, and yet another submission victory this time by triangle choke against Randy Barroso. Rocha’s impressive record and exciting fighting style caught the attention of the MMA world, being awarded “Best Pro MMA Fighter” at the 2013 Florida MMA Awards. Vagner Rocha, Lightweight Champion
In 2013, Vagner broke his leg during training and he was forced to take a year off of fighting and competitions. Many doubt him saying he would never be as good as he was after the incident but that only fueled Vagner’s fire on returning to the cages stronger than ever. Following his stint in Fight Time Promotions, Rocha made his UFC return in 2014.
After vacating the belt, Vagner returned to the Fight Time Promotions cage on April 22nd of 2016 and defeated Gabriel Miranda via TKO (punches) in the first round. Most recently, Rocha earned an amazing third-round TKO victory over Rafael Alves by way of devastating leg kicks to regain his title of Lightweight Champion on August 12, 2016, becoming the first and only man to hold the Lightweight Title in Fight Time Promotions’ six-year history.
On 2017, even though Rocha started the year off by winning another Pro MMA fight at the Fight Time Promotions against a tough opponent, Yoislandy Izquierdo, he decided to redirect his focusing back on Jiu-Jitsu competitions. He was a finalist on both, EBI 11 and EBI 13, defeating big names such as Craig Jones, Issa Able, PJ Barch & Nathan Orchard. He won the exciting ADCC West Coast Trials for the third time, submitting three out of six opponents, defeating AJ Argazam in the finals.
Later in 2017, he won Bronze at the ADCC Worlds Championship in Finland, showcasing hard-working victories, including the one against Garry Tonon. But it was in November that Rocha made history in the Jiu-Jitsu World, he became the first ever to win the COMBAT JIU JITSU WORLD Lightweight Division and the first one to ever win in regulation by TKO due to strikes.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As mentioned before, in 2013, Vagner broke his leg during training and he was forced to take a year off of fighting and competitions. Many doubt him saying he would never be as good as he was after the incident but that only fueled Vagner’s fire on returning to the cages stronger than ever. Following his stint in Fight Time Promotions, Rocha made his UFC return in 2014. Being an active athlete and full-time head instructor of his own gym, Vagner is considered a role model for many with his determination and perseverance through tough times.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Vagner Rocha Martial Arts – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
At the Vagner Rocha Martial Arts Academy we teach self-defense focusing on BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU to kids, women and men all ages.
We are The Best Martial Arts Program in South Florida!!! We offer THE HIGHEST LEVEL INSTRUCTION as taught by Vagner Rocha. With impressive credentials and competing in some of the most prestigious competitions, Vagner has many accomplishments that fighters across the world would be proud of. Few in the world can compare to our head instructor’s list of accomplishments. Rocha has successfully competed in the sport’s most prestigious events, and possesses a unique blend of world-class technique and experience that set him apart from other Jiu Jitsu instructors and competitors.
As a result of Master Rocha’s curriculum, VRMA students have shown vast improvements in short periods of time, evidenced by placing and winning in numerous tournaments throughout the state of Florida. Unlike most other academies, Master Rocha attends EVERY class and is hands on in correcting mistakes and monitoring all students.
But not just Vagner, all of our other QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS participate in competitions regularly, and train to improve their technique every day.
Our curriculum is adapted accordingly to your needs because not everyone has the same goals. Whether you want to be physically fit, learn self-defense or train for championship competition, our school will help you to achieve your goals.
We are a FAMILY owned and operated academy.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The plans for the future are always strive to be better than we were last year! Businesswise, 2018 marks the 10 years of establishment of the business, we will celebrate with a BBQ with our students and their friends & families. As an active athlete, I already have events all across United States scheduled with the next one with a super fight on January 12th in Sacramento, CA.
Pricing:
- We offer 1 FREE week trial, no pressure, just enough time for the person find out if our school is the right one for them!
Contact Info:
- Address: 8904 Taft St
Pembroke Pines FL 33024 - Website: www.vagnerrochamartial.com
- Phone: 954-432-8788
- Email: info@vagnerrochamartialarts.com
- Instagram: @vagnerrochamartialarts
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/VagnerRochaMartialArts
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