Gabriel Almada 
Black belt Guybson Sa has a successful Jiu-Jitsu career as a competitor, but has also developed a successful work as a professor and team leader in the United States. Guybson is the founder of Spartan Academy Martial Arts, in Columbia, and has trained many BJJ and MMA athletes.
He opened the academy ten years ago and today Spartan Academy Martial Arts is a benchmark in the state of South Carolina. The school offers quality facilities to its students and has established itself as one of the most competitive teams in the region. Guybson is one of the most decorated professors in the United States and has vast experience on the mats.
Guybson Sa spoke to the VF Comunica team and told us how Jiu-Jitsu has changed his life since he landed in the United States.
“I arrived in the United States in 2009, at the age of 21. I didn’t speak English or have any money, I just had my Jiu-Jitsu and a lot of will to win. Looking back, I see that it was all worth it, because today I feel very gratified to have an important role in society. Today I can live the life of my dreams and it’s all thanks to this martial art that my father passed on to me,” said Guybson.
Arriving in the United States
The black belt recalled the challenges he overcame before settling in the region and highlighted the notoriety of Spartan Academy Martial Arts today.
“We opened the doors of Spartan Academy for the first time in 2013 and I had to start a job here completely from scratch. My wife, Juliana, and I didn’t have much idea of business, so it was all a learning curve. She always took care of the administration and I took care of the classes. We always did everything with a lot of love and, thank God, it always worked out very well. After three years, our mat was already small. So we had to expand. This year, we’ve completed ten years of hard work and sweat, but also of great success. We’re an example to the whole of the Southern United States, both in terms of organization and marketing management, uniforms and what has helped to further propagate and expand the Jiu-Jitsu scene in the region,” explained the professor.
Guybson Sa scores victories over Jiu-Jitsu idols
Competing is in Guybson Sa’s essence, so the professor continues to be active in championships. He has defeated several Jiu-Jitsu stars, such as Marcus Buchecha and Rodolfo Vieira throughout his career. He mentioned his most important victories and told us how his love for competition came about.
“I love being a professor, but competing is definitely in my blood. It’s something I always need to keep me motivated. The world titles are certainly the most important. But I’m also undefeated in superfights with over 23 wins. My wins against Rodolfo Vieira and Marcus Buchecha are always the most talked about, but I think my super fight against Hector Lombard was one of the most remarkable. He had never been finished and no one expected it to happen at a grappling event in Georgia. Many Jiu-Jitsu athletes didn’t want to face him because he’s so dangerous in the nogi, but I trust my art and I always like to be the underdog,” said Guybson.
Guybson is a reference in Jiu-Jitsu teaching
Guybson pointed out that his dream was to be a wrestler, but his desire to be a professor matured over the years.
“I never wanted to be a professor, I always wanted to compete and fight, but since I was a child my father always said that one day I would be a professor and that I would even replace him in the name: Professor Sa. So I grew up watching my father and brother teaching and I think that motivated me to want to be like them. I’ve been teaching since 2007 and today I can say that it’s also one of my passions. I’ve become a great professor and have trained several champions in Jiu-Jitsu and MMA,” said the black belt.
Guybson remains active in competitions
Recently, Guybson led his students in a renowned regional event and shone as an athlete and professor.
“This competition took place in our city, Columbia, in South Carolina. We competed in NewBreed, which is a national circuit event and is a very competitive tournament when it comes to our city. We managed to win as a team with an absurd points difference to second place. My students showed grit and determination, so I’m very proud of each one of them for representing my flag so well,” shared the black belt.
When it comes to competing with and without a gi in Jiu-Jitsu, Guybson Sa is an expert on the subject. He, who has a broad view of both disciplines, spoke about the growth of nogi.
“I think they grow in parallel, the two are very important for an athlete’s development. The gi is generally known as the traditional one, but you can’t be a complete competitor without the nogi, even if you’re also an MMA athlete. I think everyone has their own preference, but it’s always good to remember that there is no one without the other,” concluded the black belt.
