Professor Rodrigo is at the heart of Ground Control’s culture. His energy on the mats is contagious, and his passion for jiu jitsu shows in every class he teaches. Prof Rod strives to make every class engaging and informative. Respected worldwide for his precision, creativity, and good nature even in the heat of competition, Prof Rod has built a reputation that now shines through his students. Both adults and kids from Ground Control are being recognised for their own technical skill and sportsmanship, a reflection of the standards he sets every day.

Always hungry to learn, Prof Rod regularly attends seminars with industry leaders and world champions, bringing fresh knowledge and evolving techniques back to the gym. He also invites visiting instructors to The Entrance, giving students the rare opportunity to train with world‑class athletes and broaden their experience.

As a teenager in Brazil, Rodrigo was passionate about martial arts and practiced Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Capoeira, and Judo. However, he eventually left martial arts to pursue his other passion: competitive surfing. After moving to Australia, Rodrigo rediscovered his love for Jiu Jitsu and began training more seriously.  Rodrigo is proud of his accomplishments in both surfing and Jiu Jitsu, and he continues to enjoy both sports finding, like so many others, that the sports complement each other well.

BJJ Competition achievements:

• KUALA LUMPUR INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHAMPION
• WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITOR
• 3 x AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPION
• 2 x NSW STATE CHAMPION
• VIC STATE CHAMPION
• QLD STATE CHAMPION
• 3 x PAN PACIFIC CHAMPION
• 2 X SOUTH PACIFIC CHAMPION
• GOLD Triple Bull BJJ Open 
• BRONZE Triple Bull BJJ Open NO-GI
• GOLD Grappling Industries 
• GOLD Events Jiu Jitsu GI
• SILVER Sydney Cup BJJ
• SILVER Sydney Cup BJJ
• SILVER Pan Pacific Jiu Jitsu Championships
• GOLD Abu Dhabi AJP Jiu Jitsu Pro
• GOLD Central Coast BJJ Open + many more