A brief compilation of testimonials and press releases about Leonardo Xavier.

Full Testimonials

"Leo Xavier is an excellent teacher and his attention to detail is truly amazing.  Leo takes the time to form the Jiu-Jitsu to the students and provides a combination of instruction and encouragement that motivates his students to be their best.

Leo's academy is more like a family than a school and Leo encourages students to support one another.

As a Special Agent the techniques I have learned from training with Leo have enable me to better control situations and increase my confidence in my abilities to defend myself and others.

I highly recommend anyone interested in realistic training in a good environment to come and take advantage of the opportunity to train with Leo."

-- W. Loden, Special Agent

Houston, TX

"From the very start, Leo makes it clear that BJJ is for everyone and not just MMA fighters. Over the years I have had other instructors and I have studied other martial arts.  I have never met a better person or a better coach than Leonardo Xavier. He is the best teaching black belt in the United States. Period. When I started training with LX, I was overweight and out of shape.  I lost 23 pounds and was able to get into the best shape of my life.  Leo changed my life for the better.

Give him a chance to help you change yours."

-- Rick A. Eckerson, Attorney

Houston, TX

"I have trained with others in Houston and they are good and I thank them but Leo has two distinct advantages. FIRST and most important his instruction and ability to teach is the best. He truly listens to your needs to improve and is very in touch with the students. I mean this guy is TEAM! SECOND Leo has a proud and storied heritage. His lineage to the roots of BJJ (Gracie Family) makes him a good choice for those like me who want to preserve the sport and art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu."

-- Joseph Cantu, more than 25 years in the martial arts business

Houston, TX

"As a police officer, I have to be ready to face various physical altercations on the job. After joining LX Jiu-Jitsu, I now have the confidence and ability to succeed in any physical altercation I'm faced with. If you are looking to get in the best shape of your life and learn effective Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, LX Jiu-Jitsu is the right place. Leo is the most technical and knowledgeable instructor in the area. The training environment is also very confortable and personal. So, if you are looking for authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructed by a world class BJJ black belt, LX Jiu-Jitsu is the place to be."

-- William Alford, Police Officer

Houston, TX

"My name is Timur Yilmaz and I am currently a student enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Leonardo Xavier for the first time at the beginning of June ’05 during my summer break with no previous experience in this art. My reasons were two-fold: to learn self-defense and to get in better shape. With Leo’s help, I accomplished more than I had hoped to."
Ful history

-- Timur “Ty” Yilma, Student
Austin, Tx

"I started training in Jiu-Jitsu for self defense and there is no question that BJJ is the most effective proven fighting system, whether it’s on the mat or on the street."
Full history

-- John Labis, MD
Houston, TX

"I found Leo from his website and met with him to discuss my goals of learning self-defense.  I thought learning self-defense would help me because I am often in potentially dangerous situations working with the mentally ill..."
Full history

-- Amy Wheeler, Occupational Therapist
Houston, TX

Leonardo Xavier Seminar in Oklahoma

I am going to look into coming to OK for the seminar. I am not sure if I can make it but I am dying to get out there and train with you and your guys.
Leonardo Xavier puts on one of the best seminars I have ever been in. I always come out with a much better understanding of the positions he teaches and Jiu Jitsu in general. He has this system of teaching that really makes understanding the positions easy. One thing I notice with every one of his seminars I have been to, not only do I learn the Mechanics of the moves, but how they will work, when to use them how to set them up and most importantly, how I can make them work for my body type!! I am 210 lbs and he adjusts the positions he teaches to work for a 100 lbs guy and a 210 lb guy.
Leonardo is always a pleasure to train with!!!!
-- Casey Strobel ("The Strobe")

Best teacher in the WORLD !!
TITAN academy looks FUN !!
-- Jay Crain ("crossface")

Nothing but the best in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques to be found anywhere in the free world
-- Scott Hewitt ("titanjiujitsu)

It is nice to know that we reached 100 replies on this topic. However only about 10 have anything to do with post #1. Leo is good natured and likes people to have fun at seminars. This makes for a more relaxed atmosphere and better learning invironment. But don't mistake that by thinking you won't learn anything. Leo gives his all and holds nothing back. You will learn from his seminar and take something with you that you can use. These are the reasons I chose to associate my school with his organization. We have less than 3 weeks left before the seminar dates.
-- Scott Hewitt ("titanjiujitsu")

I am glad you had a good time. This is the 4th seminar that Leo has done at Titan Martial Arts and so far the best. The techniques we learned were absolutly amazing but yet simple. This is the trademark of Leonardo Xavier's teaching style. It is very unfortunate that others have not been able to see and feel this type of training. We have plans for the future that will give others a better chance to feel the magic and help spread the word of what jiu-jitsu is all about. I want to thank everyone who attended for his/her support and a special thanks to Leo for his love of the art and willingness to share.
-- Scott Hewitt ("titanjiujitsu")

Leo is a bad @ss. His seminar I attended was awesome, I would recommend anyone to come up and train with him and Scott. Two class acts. We even have people driving up from the best state in the country to attend his seminars. It's a great atmosphere up here so if any of yall can make it I highly recommend it.
-- TexDeuce

Leo's teaching style is amazing! I really look forward to working the details he smoothed out for me!
-- Tracey Graham ("bjjchic ")

Oriiginal Link

Titan Martial Arts is very proud to anounce the distinction of being named the Oklahoma representative for the Leonardo Xavier Association.  After a year long search for an associaton that would provide us with the quilities we were searching for, we finally found that person in Leo.  Leo has established himself as a premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor, as well as a world class competitor.  Leo will be giving several seminars and training sessions throughout the year to help us in our training and our preparation for upcoming tournaments.
-- Titan Martial Arts website

Original Link

Anyone that was at the seminar can tell you they now understand why Leo is called "The Wizard".  Websters dictionary says that a wizard is,  a magician; one very skilled at a certain activity.  Leo is all of this and more.  He is a teacher, a friend, and a coach.  If you missed this seminar don't worry, he will be back many times in the future.  Thanks to all who made it to the seminar.
--Scott Hewitt, Titan Martial Arts

Oriiginal Link

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Last nite i had a private lesson with Leonardo "Batatinha" Xavier. He is not only the nicest BJJ black belt i've met, but he is the best black belt teacher-period. I wasnt expecting to be able to do much- my elbow is still in that big and bulky brace from the dislocation and ligament damage. Leonardo knew exactly how to work around that, and gave me new moves and opened my eyes to new aspects of jiu-jitsu. In his private lessons, unlike privates with other black belts, he rolls with you for pretty much the whole hour. Then he will stop and show you a move, and you repeat it a few times, and go back to training. Then, leonardo will put himself in a position where you can use that move, and he will continue to put himelf in different positions where you can use the same move! it really opened my eyes on how to use different moves in different positions. Leonardo will be at Joe Priole's Champion Martial Arts in Maple Shade, NJ, tonite at 7pm for a seminar. I strongly advise anyone in the area to check it out. The number is 856-482-9555.
Original Link

ADCC News - May 23, 2001 - "Who's minding the store?" - Kid Peligro

"All I can say is WOW!"
Klif, TPC - http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/
Original Link

"The Private with Leonardo was the best one hour of training I have ever had. Leonardo exposed lots of holes in moves and positions that really helped my game. I highly recommend taking a private or two with him to anybody!"
The Kimono Kid, (Clay Copelland) TPC - http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/
Original Link

"I agree with Clay, the private I had was by far the best hour I've spent training. See ya'll tonight."
Hawk, TPC - http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/
Original Link

"Leo is da BOMB!!"
Jayc, TPC - http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/
Original Link

"Yesterday was awesome!!!Leonardo taught 6 privates and everyone learned something that will really help their game.
Thanks Batatinha!!!! Great to have you here."
Hawk, TPC - http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/
Original Link

"Batatinha was 16 in his bluebelt fights. The competion was the Brasileiro and made him blue belt champion. The fights are awesome.The funny thing is that the only way he looks different now is that the hair fell off his head and grew on his chest-lol. About the last fight on the tape agains Parrumpinha I think that match was a little more politically motivated because they wanted 2 Vasco fighters in the finals because it was to be shown on Sport TV (remember the 2 guys carrying the flag?). If you listen closely during this match you'll hear the crowd chanting the name B*A*T*A*T*I*N*H*A .....go back and watch your tape....the crowd knew who won that fight."
Patrick, TPC - http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/
Original Link

"Patrick- I made the the mistake of watching Leos first two fights on the tape this morning before I went to school. Now school is going by so slooooooooow. Every period I'm just thinking about getting home and finishing watching that tape!"
The Kimono Kid, (Clay Copelland) TPC - http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/
Original Link

"Ask around the academy about how good his private lessons are (Mike, Pat, Jason, Randal, and Jay got some on his last trip....I think Mike and Pat got 3 each). He teaches different than any instructor I've ever had in that he builds off of what you already know and doesn't show you "Hollywood" techniques that you'll never be able to pull off against an advanced fighter. He "fine tunes" your technique."
Patrick, TPC - http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/
Original Link

"Leonardo Xavier, from Gracie Humaitá, demostrated a lot of endurance and won the super fether weight division."
(Brazilian) Fiighting News, nº. 04 (Cover: "Hélio Gracie, O Mito")
Distributor: Fernando Chinaglia S. A.

"...Leonardo Xavier winning over Adriano Lúcio on the great super featherweight brown belt final."
Gracie Magazine, nº. 13 ( Cover: "... mais Uma vitória de Rickson Gracie" )
Distributor: Fernando Chinaglia S. A.

" ... Leonardo Xavier cofirmed the good phase he's living and took the super featherweight after winning the final for 4 x 0... Both fighters were top among the category, the most disputed in the belt."
Tatame Magazine, nº. 27 (Cover: "Royce, ele está de volta") - page 25
Distributor: Fernando Chinaglia S. A.

"...“He’s a very good athlete. He shrinks in such a way that you are afraid of being flipped all the time" - Marcos "Parrumpinha" da Matta". An english translation of the full article can be found here.
Gracie Magazine, nº 43 (Cover: "Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu")
Distributor: Fernando Chinaglia S. A.

"Leonardo is a guy with strong moral principles, communicative, compromised with the responsabilities he assumes, besides being a dedicated and talented athlete."
Sérgio Freire, Jiu-Jitsu brown belt
Sócio Diretor da Gulf Incorporadora


ADCC News -Mar 16, 2002 - "Leonardo 'The Wizard' Batatinha Seminar in Texas" - Kid Peligro
Link to the original post here.