Daniel C. B. Vianna

Daniel Vianna is the owner and head instructor of Vianna Brothers Jiu Jitsu in Chicago and a sixth-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Raised in the Leme neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, he began jiu-jitsu at age eight under Rolls Gracie, studied judo under Virgilio Castro de Moura at 12, and later trained under Vina Lisboa before Carlson Gracie Jr. became his first jiu-jitsu instructor, alongside Marcelo Alonso. Vianna moved to Chicago as a purple belt in 1994 and in 1995 became an instructor and partner at Carlson Gracie Jr.'s academy, the first BJJ school in the city. He earned his black belt in 2000 and has more than 20 years at that rank. He also fought professional MMA, going 6-1-2 against opponents including Matt Hughes, Shonie Carter and Dave Strasser. In 2013 he and his brother Pedro founded the Vianna Brothers academy.