Grappling

February 1, 2026

6 min read

How We Teach Grappling: A Modern Approach to Skill Development

Traditional martial arts teaching follows a familiar pattern: watch, copy, drill, then spar. Our grappling program takes a different approach. Grounded in ecological dynamics, the constraints-led approach, and live-first training, we develop adaptable grapplers who solve problems under pressure.

Eugénio

Grappling Instructor

Grappling

Training Philosophy

Motor Learning

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Academy

January 31, 2026

5 min read

Alpha Combat Academy Code of Conduct

The principles and standards that guide every practitioner at Alpha Combat. Our code of conduct ensures a safe, respectful, and focused training environment for everyone.

Ricardo Serrão

Head Instructor

Academy

Code of Conduct

Training

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Grappling

January 31, 2026

7 min read

Grappling Class: Rules & Code of Conduct

Our grappling program follows a submission-focused approach inspired by the ADCC ruleset. These rules exist to protect everyone and ensure our program remains a welcoming, challenging, and safe environment for practitioners of all levels.

Eugénio

Grappling Instructor

Grappling

Rules

Safety

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Grappling

January 15, 2026

8 min read

What Grappling Actually Is?

When people try grappling for the first time, they have no clue what to do. And that's completely okay. The goal of this article is to provide a basic understanding of what grappling is and what two sweaty people are actually trying to achieve on the mat.

Eugénio

Grappling Instructor

Grappling

BJJ

Wrestling

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No-Gi

November 5, 2025

15 min read

Modern No-Gi BJJ: Evolution and Cutting-Edge Techniques

The landscape of no-gi grappling has undergone a revolutionary transformation in recent years. From submission-only competitions to the integration of wrestling and judo, modern no-gi BJJ represents the pinnacle of grappling evolution.

Eugénio

Grappling Instructor

No-Gi

Grappling

BJJ

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Why Every Person Should Train Martial Arts

Youth Development

October 28, 2025

6 min read

Why Every Person Should Train Martial Arts

After 27 years dedicated to martial arts and coaching students from beginners to world-class competitors, I've witnessed firsthand how transformative proper training can be for young people.

Ricardo Serrão

Head Instructor

Youth Development

Training Philosophy

Character Building

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Judo

October 15, 2025

8 min read

The Fundamentals of Traditional Judo

As a 3x Brazilian National Champion and Pan-American Champion who's dedicated over two decades to mastering and teaching Judo, I can tell you that this art represents one of the most refined and systematic martial arts ever developed.

Ricardo Serrão

Head Instructor

Judo

Traditional Martial Arts

Technical Training

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Self-Defense

October 1, 2025

10 min read

Urban Self-Defense: What Really Works?

As a self-defense instructor for the Lisbon Municipal Police and someone who's spent over 27 years studying combat effectiveness, I've learned that real-world self-defense looks nothing like what's portrayed in movies.

Ricardo Serrão

Head Instructor & Self-Defense Expert

Self-Defense

Urban Safety

Police Training

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Martial Arts

September 15, 2025

8 min read

Martial Arts in Lisbon: How to Choose the Right Academy

Thinking about starting martial arts in Lisbon? This guide covers choosing the right discipline, what to expect from your first classes, and where MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, and broader martial arts training fit in Lisbon.

Ricardo Serrão

Head Instructor

Martial Arts

Lisbon

Beginner Guide

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Jiu-Jitsu

September 1, 2025

7 min read

Jiu-Jitsu in Lisbon: How to Choose the Right Academy

A practical guide to finding the best Jiu-Jitsu academy in Lisbon. Learn gi vs no-gi, what to look for in a coach, and how to compare Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and grappling options in Lisbon.

Ricardo Serrão

Head Instructor

Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ

Lisbon

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MMA

August 15, 2025

6 min read

MMA Classes in Lisbon: What to Expect from Your First Class

Nervous about your first MMA class? Here is everything you need to know about MMA training in Lisbon, from what to bring to how classes are structured.

Ricardo Serrão

Head Instructor & MMA Expert

MMA

Lisbon

First Class

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