Maguilla began studying martial arts in junior high school. At age 11, Maguilla followed in his father's footsteps as a boxer. However, he quickly realized the limits of boxing and in 1985 his friend, Joao "Frango" Luis (a black belt under Ricardo De La Riva), persuaded Maguilla to try Jiu-jitsu.

Nominated as one of the Best Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Instructors by ADCombat Club and Black Belt Magazine.

Maguilla was so impressed with the immediate effectiveness Jiu-jitsu offered, he became a student at Carlson Gracie Sr.'s academy in Copa Cabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He earned his yellow belt the same year. It took just one more year to earn his blue belt, by which time he was able to control opponents 15 years his senior. The boost in self-esteem lead Maguilla to compete in Jiu-jitsu tournaments.

Over the next 5 years(1985-86-87-88-89), under Carlson Gracie and as a member of the world champion team "Nova/Uniao", he racked up numerous state champion victories with only a single loss.(over 200+ fights)

In 1988, Maguilla finished training with Carlson Gracie and began an even more intense training regimen with the renowned Andre Pederneiras.(Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Sr.)

In 1997, Maguilla earned his black belt from Andre Pederneiras and came to the United States, opening his own academy in Silver Spring, MD where he now teaches others his own brand of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu,Self-Defense,Vale tudo and Free-Style BJJ.

Interview By Gene "Aranha" Simco

How long have you been practicing Jiu-jitsu?
	A Little over 16 years now (I started in feb 1984).
Who do you feel was your greatest influence in the martial arts?
	My Father (deceased) was a former boxing Champion (he won the South American Military Championship) he kept me in line 24 Hours a day, and a close second would be Carlson Gracie Sr, He showed me the way to become a Champion and a complete fighter.
Do you feel that Brazilian jiu-jitsu schools are placing too much importance on Sport Jiu-jitsu, and if so, do you think that has a negative effect on Jiu-jitsu as a martial art?
	Some yes, some no. A lot of schools today they put more emphasis on sport and forget the whole idea of Jiu-Jitsu (Self-Defense) That is okay but at the same time it is bad because you will watch a great Sport fighter who takes several first places killing everybody doesn't know how to protect himself in a real fight. (In a real fight you cannot apply some sport movies) Of course this is negative for Jiu-Jitsu but all depends where you train.
Do you think time should be equally divided between 'Sport' practice in jiu-jitsu and Self Defense or do you think Sport helps prepare you for Self Defense situations?
	Training is like going to school (you have several classes in one day) so what you should do is try to divide a week in Sport and Self-defense training (gi and no gi) sport prepares you for a fight but you should know what to do because the game is different.
How is Jiu-jitsu different in the US and Brazil?
	Well first of all in Brazil we have several BJJ academies, people love to train hard and always develop new techniques, In US we have some BJJ academies - people love to train hard(but they don't have much time like the Brazilians) and also they develop a lot techniques (Not so fast like in Brazil but the US is doing great - just look results from World Championships,PanAmerican games, Brasileiro de equipes) always you see an American fighter there.
As a Jiu-jitsu instructor, are you concerned that American teachers will 'water down' BJJ making it easier to get to black belt - similar to what happened in the US with Tae Kwon Do?
	Well, it is all ready watered down, I know you - I know you have been training Jiu-jitsu for several years and you are still purple Belt, but how about the some guy that has less years training and never competes, never shows the world how good he really is becoming a Black Belt. Also, how about the Brazilian who comes to US and changes Belt Color inside the airplane. My philosophy is like I tell my students everyday; Belt don't fight for you so what is better - Know how to protect yourself or have a Black Belt and have you face punished on the street? 2- I like money like anybody who will read my interview, but I cant sell you the Belt or promote you if you really don't know how to control the art. If I do this I am not going to sleep in peace - this is not Honor, the bottom line is some people will sell his own mother, his own honor and Integrity to make a little money.
Carlos Gracie Jr. wants to make a governing body for Jiu-jitsu in the United States like there is in Brazil, do you see this happening any time soon?
	Well I believe jiujitsu is still a walking all fours in the USA, we have some tournaments but nothing that compares to Karate-Taekondo or Boxing so if this happens, it will take some years.
Some jiu-jitsu black belts say that time limits and points in jiu-jitsu go against what jiu-jitsu is all about. They say it allows people to stall the game and go for points instead of submission. What is your opinion on this subject?
	Well sport jiu jitsu goes against what jiu-jitsu is about (our art like I said is created for Combat not for rules) but we should have competition and we should follow the rules (of course if you want follow the rules I don't I can't go fight a competition and try stall the fight and win by advantage I am from the Old BJJ school, in my time we won fights by making people tap, very few times by points- Today what we watch in BJJ competition is people trying to make advantage points and stall the fight. Very few people today fight with an open game.
What is your opinion of time limits in NHB?
	When you are ready, you can put time limits, no time limits, all kinds of rules will be not a problem for you. ( time limit will be Bad for a BJJ fighter only if he goes against a heavy and stronger guy because you know we need take the time like a python snake)
Do you feel that breaking up a fight into rounds (standing them up after a certain amount of time) is unfair to Jiu-jitsu players?
	We should be able to adapt to play all the games. If you know you are going to fight with time limits and rounds make the adaptation for this. What is unfair to me is some times they stop a fight just because the guy has a little blood on the face ... come on, this is Vale_Tudo , I know they do this more to gain the TV respect but they don't stop a Boxing match just because a little blood.
What do you think about this whole Rickson vs. Sakuraba argument? Is Rickson past his prime?
	I believe if they put some $$$ at this situation he will fight Sakuraba, but at the same time I believe he should fight Sakuraba for the Head of the Family (Helio) , Like Carlson did when Waldemar Santana defeated Helio Gracie. That is the True Way of the Samurai Code. But that is for him make the decision not me, I am nothing compared to him.
What do you think is the future of Jiu-jitsu?
	Great if we start Clean - all this BS we have today (fake Black Belts-Fake schools-People selling Belts.....) since we're never going to clean the house completely, I believe Jiu-Jitsu will survive :)
What are your future plans in jiu-jitsu? Any fights coming up?
	Priority Plan = always is be in shape and healthy and work hard. Upcoming fights? Well I always keep my eyes open for an upcoming fight, I really want to do a Vale-Tudo in Japan. Did you see how they treat the fighters there??? Man, that is the real deal! It's not like USA - they call you and offer a fight for you for $500-$1,000 ... what a joke. So if any promoters read this and really want to put some real money down let me know I will do my the best to make a great show in your tournament (but don't send me an e-mail or call me to fight in your Tournament for Free Because I know you make $$$$$.)
Thanks for the Interview Maguilla!!
	Thanks JiuJitsu Net, for this great chance, Thanks Kagi Kimonos for sponsor Maguilla and Team (also if you are looking for a Summer Gi check out the new KAGI Canvas). www.jiujitsugi.com www.bjjonline.com

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