B.J. Penn's victory at the Mundials marked the first time a non-Brazilian native won gold in the black belt category. Since 2008 Nova União has become a familiar name in the mixed martial arts scene as a result of stabling the former #1 ranked featherweight fighter in the world, José Aldo, as well as Renan Barão, the former UFC Bantamweight champion, and another top ten ranked featherweight in Marlon Sandro.[1]
Jiu Jitsu
The Nova União jiu jitsu team was recently re-organized by two 1st generation black belts under André Pederneiras in the United States. Gustavo Dantas, President, and Robson Moura, Vice-President, have been charged with overseeing the new changes. The team was created by Wendell Alexander and André Pederneiras, and is known primarily for its lightweight fighters. The competition team is usually reserved for the top four competitors during that time period.
Nowadays they have gyms around the World from East to West in cities and countries such as Bangkok, Phuket (Thailand), Australia, the United States, Zurich (Switzerland), Canada, etc.
Gustavo Dantas - Nova União Jiu Jitsu President in the United States.
Tony DeSouza - UFC veteran and inventor of the "Peruvian Necktie" submission.[2]
Robson Moura - Eight-time Mundial World Champion in BJJ. Split from Nova União and developed his own association, RMNU Academy (Robson Moura Nations United), with locations over the United States, as well as Canada, Ireland, Germany, and Brazil.
João Roque - UFC veteran, one of the original Nova União fighters and 5th degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
