Instructors
Rafael de Freitas
Instructor
Rafael de Freitas, also known by his nickname “Barata”, is a 4th Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and founder of Smartjits Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. He is best known for his creation of a shoulder lock submission named by Rafael as the “Baratoplata”. He is also an accomplished BJJ and MMA competitor having won countless titles. His nickname “Barata” means cockroach, given to him during his youth for his quickness and frenetic pace on the soccer field.
Rafael was born and raised in Brasilia-DF, Brazil. He began his martial arts training at the age of 5 in Capoeira. As he grew older, he added several other martial arts to his expertise, including Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Muay Thai. He eventually found Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 14, where he settled training under Aílson Henrique Brites (Jucão). In March of 2007, Rafael came to the United States to compete at the Panams Championship and got invited to be part of the Gracie Barra Academy in Alb, NM. He arrived in the US as a brown belt and by indication of his professors he was awarded his black belt in December of 2007 by Carlos Gracie Jr. After over 15 years as a black belt, Professor Rafael founded the Smartjits Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico and provides the highest level of instruction and training, self-defense, competitive expertise, and over 25 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience.
Rafael is also well-recognized in the MMA community. As a fighter, he holds a professional record of 07 wins 02 loses 1 draw. He got to participate in the Reality TV Show THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER, Season 18.
Professor Barata has spent years working with some of biggest names of the sport, such as:
- HOLLY HOLM (Former UFC Champion)
- MICHELLE WATERSON (UFC Contender and Former INVICTA Champion)
- NICCO MONTANO (Former UFC Champion)
- RAY BORG (Former UFC Title Challenger)
- DONALD “COWBOY” CERRONE (Former UFC Title Challenger)
- LANDON VANNATA (UFC Contender)
- KYLE NOKE (Former UFC Contender)
- TOM DUQUESNOY (Former UFC Contender and Former BAMMA Champion)
His most notable BJJ achievements include:
- 1st Place – World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2022
- 3rd Place – World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2021
- 3rd Place – Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu Jitsu 2021 (Brazilian National)
- 3rd Place – Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2019
- 1st Place – World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2016
- 3rd Place – World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championship 2015
- 3rd Place – World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015
- 3rd Place – Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015
- 3rd Place – Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014
- 2nd Place – World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2013
- 2nd place – World Jiu-Jitsu No Gi Championship 2012
- 3rd Place – World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2012
- 2nd Place – Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2012
- 1st Place – Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2011
- 3rd Place – World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2010
- 3rd Place – World Jiu-jitsu Championship 2010
- 2nd Place – Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2010
- 2nd Place – Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2009
- 2nd Place – Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2008
- 1st Place – World Jiu Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2007 (Brown Belt)
Reece Killebrew
Instructor
Meet Reece Killebrew. He is a black belt under Professor Rafael “Barrata”Freitas. Reece’s “day job” is owner/operator at RepubliQ Gym, where he teaches boxing, kickboxing and strength and conditioning. He brings his passion for fitness and blends it with the SmartJits training style. Reece is an active competitor on both the IBJJF and F2W stages, having recently won golds at the Austin and Orlando Open along with a Silver medal at IBJJF Masters Worlds. Reece has a passion for teaching and will ensure his students develop a solid foundation of the fundamentals, but more importantly, will have fun and learn to protect themselves. Join Reece on Mondays and Fridays at 12pm!
Ray Martinez
Instructor
Andres Archuleta
Instructor
Andres Archuleta is a brown belt instructor under Professor Rafael Freitas. Andres began practicing combat sports at an early age and fell in love with no gi jiu jitsu. After competing in no gi competitions across the Southwest Andres found a newfound passion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is an avid competitor having competed at countless tournaments including F2W, IBJJF Pan Americans, IBBJF Worlds, and IBBJF No Gi Worlds. Andres would live on the mats if he could and constantly wants to do just one more round. He loves to share his knowledge and help others reach their jiu jitsu and life goals.
Coaches
Tyler Norwood
coach
Tyler began training jiu jitsu in March of 2019 to get in better shape and make positive and encouraging friendships. From day 1, the gentle art was effective in realizing those goals. He has lost almost 100lbs, gained many close friendships, and coaches in kids classes. Tyler says, “I’m hooked on jiu jitsu because it’s physically challenging, intellectually stimulating, and socially rewarding.” Tyler plans to continue pursuing better health and gain confidence and skill to compete more often. He works in health insurance as a business analyst and when he’s not at work or SmartJits, he enjoys spending time with his wife, reading, hiking, and traveling to the gulf coast.
Alex Saint Charles
coach
Coach Saint started Jiu Jitsu on Dec 4, 2019 and has over 7 years of experience as a martial artist having practiced Boxing, Muay Thai, Judo, Karate, and MMA. Coach Saint has comp\eted in numerous competitions spanning all the martial arts styles previously mentioned. Coach Saint is from Miami, FL, and moved here to Albuquerque,NM in dedication to his pursuit of becoming a better martial artist.
ANTHONY ARCHULETA
Coach
Anthony Archuleta is 40 years old and is married and I has 3 kids: 1 daughter and 2 sons. He has been training Brazilian Jiujitsu for over 4 years. He has been coaching kids jiujitsu for the past 3 years as a blue belt. He also works with kids Church groups as well as enjoying a full time job.
SmartJits
8520 Pan American Fwy NE,Albuquerque, NM 87113