About Us

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After opening the first Jitsu Academy location in Wallingford, CT in 2017,. Danilo and Jess moved their family to South Carolina and opened JitsuAcademySC on January 8th, 2022 in Columbia, South Carolina. The facility offers the highest level of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts for kids and adults of all ages and abilities.

Danilo Cherman was born on the January 21, 1983 in Brazil. With the support and backing of his uncle, Danilo started training at age 14. His first instructor was Andre “Dede” Pederneiras, a black belt instructor under Master Carlson Gracie.

Andre Pederneiras is the founder of the Nova Uniao Academy in Flamenco, Brazil. His Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school and team is considered to be the best team in the World in lightweight in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA. Andre Pederneiras was also elected the Best MMA coach in the World of 2010. He has taught Danilo along with some of the most well known names in the sport today. A distinguished list of students include BJ Penn, Jose Aldo, Vitor Shaolin, Robson Moura, Gustavo Dantas, Marlon Sandro, Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, João Roque and Wagnney Fabiano.

Danilo Cherman is Nova Uniao prodigy with 3 consecutive world championship wins. He won the CBJJO World Cup as a Purple Belt in 2002, again the next year as a Brown Belt in 2003 and then swept the Black Belt division in 2004 to finish first in front of his 2 Nova Uniao teammates who finished 2nd and 3rd.

From his first day at the academy, Danilo always trained with Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro and after Vitor’s successful MMA career took flight and his opening of his Jiu Jitsu studio in Manhattan, Vitor found the opportunity to bring Danilo close to him again. He introduced Danilo to Lions Den CT owners in Connecticut who were looking for a Black Belt with the talent and knowledge Danilo has to teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mix Martial Arts (MMA) for them. As of August 2011 his Professional record is 9-4, with fights in Shooto Japan, Shooto Brazil , Cage Rage ( UK ) and Ring of Combat.

Danilo is also a professional Mixed Martial Artist and instructor. He has over 20 years of knowledge of the correct techniques and strikes that are the most effective in creating combinations and attack patterns. He has a professional record of 9 wins and 4 losses. In those battles he won 6 of them by submission and 3 by judges decision.

He combines techniques of Muay Thai Boxing, American Boxing, Kick Boxing, Judo and his passion, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to create an all around game. 

Danilo has developed his team over the past 10 years into a well oiled machine that is gaining momentum and consistently produces gold medals in Jiu-Jitsu competitions and wins in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) through out New England and the northeast.

This team functions like family, we train with each other, help each other, through class and tgh we encourage it”, you don’t even have to compete. You can go at your own pace and learn as fast or as slow as you desire. Its up to you.hrough life. Danilo and his knowledgeable students will take the time to teach you the proper ways to perform each technique and explain the “how to” and the “why” behind it. No need to try to guess what you are suppose to do, it will be explained to you until you understand it and then practiced until you do it effortlessly. Danilo is an excellent instructor and is passionate about fostering your ability to be your best.

Although this team fights hard and is hungry for wins and championships, you don’t have to train as hard “though we encourage it”, you don’t even have to compete. You can go at your own pace and learn as fast or as slow as you desire. Its up to you.