Grand Union Jiu Jitsu Elephant and Castle

Located in the heart of Elephant and Castle, Grand Union Jiu Jitsu Elephant and Castle is led by Cesar Lima, a respected Roger Gracie black belt and one of the city’s most experienced instructors. Cesar first made his mark in London’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene in 2007 by establishing Roger Gracie’s inaugural affiliated academy in central London. Over the years, with the help of early students like Max Lima and a roster of talented practitioners, the academy developed its own identity and reputation, ultimately evolving into Grand Union BJJ. The team’s roots remain closely tied to the values and technical heritage passed down from Roger Gracie, but with a clear drive to foster its own approach and community. Classes at Grand Union Jiu Jitsu Elephant and Castle are structured to suit practitioners at every stage. Beginners attend fundamentals sessions that focus on controlled drilling and introduce the key principles of BJJ, with an emphasis on safe, structured progress and limited sparring. Mixed-level classes bring together students from white to black belt, encouraging knowledge-sharing and practical application, while advanced sessions offer deeper technical training and competition-level sparring for those aiming to test themselves further. Each class follows a consistent structure of warm-up, technique explanation, partner drilling and, where appropriate, sparring. The academy offers a clear pathway for progression and welcomes students regardless of age, background, or previous experience. The curriculum is designed so that anyone can start at any time, and the team takes pride in guiding new members from their first steps through to advanced practice. With over 150 students and a firm place in London’s BJJ community, Grand Union Jiu Jitsu Elephant and Castle remains dedicated to both personal development and technical excellence on the mats.

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