Instructors
Daniel “Mãozinha” Galvão
Lead Professor and founder of “Mãozinha Brazilian Jiu Jitsu”
Daniel is a 6th Degree Black Belt under Master Ricardo De La Riva (Red-White Belt). He is currently the highest ranking black belt in North Houston, and has over 25 years experience instructing a wide range of students internationally, from children to professional fighters.
Originally from Belém Do Para, Brazil, birthplace of the founders of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Carlos & Helio Gracie, Daniel has lived around the world both teaching and competing in Jiu Jitsu & MMA.
Daniel believes that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is valuable for everyone- not just athletes. It is one of the paramount forms of martial arts for both adults and children, as it instills discipline, confidence, and respect in those who practice.
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU LINEAGE
Carlos Gracie – Carlson Gracie Sr. – Ricardo De La Riva – Daniel “Mãozinha” Galvão
Professional Coaching Experience
United Arab Emirates – Military Presidential Guard Jiu Jitsu Coach
Abu Dhabi Education Council – Secondary School & Military High School Jiu Jitsu Coach
AKA : Dethrone MMA (Fresno, CA) – MMA & BJJ Coach
Ulysses Pereira Gym (Brasil) – MMA & BJJ Coach
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
– 1st place – Royler Gracie Cup 1997
– 1st Place – State League Rio de Janeiro
– 1st Place – Absolute League of Rio de Janeiro Open Weight 1999
– 1st Place – Cyclone Cup Rio de Janeiro 1999
– 1st Place – State Champion of Rio De Janeiro 2001
– World Pro Abu Dhabi Championship (2014) Black Belt Winner
-F2W Pro 66 Winner & Submission of the Night
-F2W Pro 103 Winner & Submission of the Night
NoGi Jiu Jitsu/Grappling
-2nd Place – Grappler’s Quest UFC Expo 2010
-3rd Place – ADCC trials 2005
-3rd Place – IBJJF Worlds Long Beach 2009
-Ist Place – IBJJF PanAmericans NoGi 2022
IBJJF Certified Black Belt
MMA & BJJ Referee
MMA Amateur & Pro Fighter- Brasil
Safe Sport Certified
Emily Bacher Galvão
Professor & Women’s Team/Youth Instructor
Emily received her black belt in 2023 from Prof Daniel Galvão after beginning her training under him in UAE 2014. She currently co-instructs our kid’s classes, and leads our Women’s Program at Mãozinha BJJ.
She has competed at all levels, and is a 2x Bronze medalist at IBJJF Master Worlds, Pan Americans, Jiu Jitsu Con, and is a multiple times Gold medalist/podium at IBJJF Opens & at local competitions.
Emily is a co-founder Houston Femme BJJ, a Houston-based organization originating in 2018 that brings women and young ladies from around the Greater-Houston area (and beyond) together for training and fellowship opportunities through monthly meetups and organization of scholarships for women to compete and continue their training.
IBJJF Certified Black Belt
Safe Sport Certified
Alan Jackson
Professor & Youth Instructor
**COMING SOON**
Fred Dugoni
Professor & MMA Kickboxing Instructor
Fred began his Martial Arts training in 2007 with Kickboxing, MMA, and weapons training in Roseville, California under Dave”Madman” Marinoble. After extensive training in 2010, Fred earned his Trainer Cerfitication in Kickboxing, and later in 2012, earned his brown belt. He has an extensive teaching background with both Beginner and Advanced students, as well as . Fred completes his MMA training with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and earned his Black Belt under Prof. Daniel Galvão in 2024.
Wallan Pessanha
Professor & NoGi/MMA Kickboxing Coach
Wallan is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Professor Daniel Galvão. Originally from Rio De Janeiro, Brasil; Wallan initially started his Martial Arts training with MMA, and in 2010 had began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has travelled throughout Latin America gaining training and fighting experience in Brasil, Mexico, and Colombia, and now here in Texas.
Wallan enjoys competitive Jiu Jitsu and MMA, and has fought Internationally in IBJJF, CBJJ, and FJJ Rio State Championships, achieving gold at the Rio International Submissions Cup, and well as podium at multiple IBJJF, CBJJ, and local competitions.
Jared Haines
Junior Instructor
Jared began his BJJ journey in 2018 under Professor Daniel Galvão. As a homeschool student, he was initially looking for a P.E. class, and after research came across Jiu Jitsu. After trying one class, he fell in love, and has since been attending classes regularly.
Jared began as one of our youth members, and is now a Brown Belt, awarded by Professor Daniel in 2024. He bgean assisting in our adult and youth classes as a blue belt, and is now one of our Junior Instructors in our kids and beginner adults classes.
Jared enjoys training with his friends, meeting new people, and now teaching BJJ.
