Gabriel Almada 
Bernardo Passos carries the flags of Luta Livre and Jiu-Jitsu on the European continent. The 24-year-old is a black belt in both sports and has been living in Paris, France, for a year and three months. Bernardo started training in Luta Livre in 2015 through master Ricardo Cardoso and took up Jiu-Jitsu about a year later.
Bernardo has won several titles in BJJ and grappling. He has already won the Opens in Paris, Madrid, Lisbon and London, organized by the IBJJF, and won a superfight at the ADCC event in Scotland. He also has numerous victories in other grappling tournaments.
Bernardo is the head coach of the Heel Hook Team in Rio de Janeiro. He chose this name for his team because he specializes in the heel hook. “I started doing leg locks when I was a white belt in Luta Livre and I’ve developed a lot in this methodology of attacks. So I wanted to choose a name that really represented me,” said the black belt.
In an interview with VF Comunica, Bernardo Passos told us how he perfected his heel locks and explained why he chose to focus on grappling over gi Jiu-Jitsu.
VF COMUNICA: Why did you choose to develop more in grappling than in the gi, like most?
BERNARDO PASSOS: I come from a Luta Livre background and I started training BJJ a year and three months later to perfect my Luta Livre game.
You’ve said that you train at the UFC champions’ academy. Have you ever trained with them?
I have the opportunity to help prepare some grappling athletes who are going to fight in renowned MMA events such as UFC, Ares and PFL in September and October here in Paris.
Why did you name your team Heel Hook Team?
Well, I started doing leg locks when I was a white belt in freestyle fight and I’ve developed a lot in this striking methodology. So I wanted to choose a name that really represented me, so I decided to call it Heel Hook Team.
What’s the secret to becoming so skilled at heel hooks?
I’ve been shaping my style around leg locks since 2015. Obviously, I train all the techniques to be a complete athlete, but I chose to invest in leg locks because they can finish people of any weight with ease, without having to push at all. As I weighed 63kg when I started training, I had to develop some methods to be able to finish heavier and more experienced training partners.
When will you fight again?
It’s likely that I’ll make my debut as a BJJ black belt at the European Nogi in October.
