We pride ourselves on providing martial arts instruction fueled by the refusal to be stagnant. While other schools continue to focus on old teaching methods and aging principles, Raposo prioritizes innovation. We are constantly searching for new ways to optimize our training process and better our students.
Rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach to Jiu-Jitsu, we tailor instruction to individual students and their specific needs. At Raposo BJJ, we believe that every athlete who steps onto our mat brings a unique perspective and is looking to accomplish a different goal.
Whether it’s a 6-year-old dreaming of becoming a world champion martial artist or a 45-year-old looking for a more effective way to work out, our curriculum is designed to lead each and every student to success.
Established in 2023, Raposo BJJ has become a pillar in the Slidell, Louisiana community and provides a fresh perspective on what it means to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Raposo BJJ Academy was founded by Erick Raposo, an IBJJF-certified third-degree black belt and a Super Fight, IBJJF Open, American National, and Brazilian National Champion in both Gi and No-Gi.
Born in Brazil, Professor Raposo has a long background in BJJ and is thrilled to bring his many years of training, experience, and success to the students of Raposo BJJ.
At Raposo BJJ Academy we are a family, and our school is bound to become our students’ second home. We are a judgment-free zone, where mistakes are viewed as growth opportunities and your instructors and fellow students are your #1 supporters.
You’ll learn a lot of impressive skills and gain many new abilities at Raposo BJJ. But the most important thing you’ll acquire during your time here?
Here at Raposo BJJ, our staff is the secret to our student’s success. Each instructor has a rich background in martial arts and is eager to train the next generation of martial artists. Meet the team below!
Professor Erick Raposo is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3rd degree black belt and a highly respected instructor and athlete in the martial arts community. He has been training and teaching for over 20 years and has earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced instructors.
He has competed in numerous tournaments and has won several championships, including the Brazilian and American National, Pan American Championship, and World Championship. Professor Erick is also a certified black belt and referee under the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
He is passionate about teaching and sharing his knowledge with his students, and his classes are known for their technical precision and attention to detail. He is committed to helping his students reach their full potential in life and Jiu-Jitsu.
Professor Stephanie is a critical care nurse, wife, and mother of 2. She started Jiu-Jitsu in 2016 with Professor Raposo for self-defense and as a way to participate in a hobby that the whole family could enjoy.
Since starting she found a love for the competition scene. Some accomplishments include 5 Times Black Belt World Champion and an outstanding career on the color belts with 4x IBJJF Master World Champion, 4x Pan-American Champion, and 8x American National Champion.
Stephanie is a Black belt under Professor Raposo as his first female black belt. In addition to competing, Stephanie loves watching students grow and progress beyond what they originally thought they could achieve. “Stronger every day-“
Professor Dave is a small business owner and true lover of Jiu Jitsu. He started his journey with BJJ in 2015 as a way of connecting in a new community. His passion quickly grew and in 2018 he competed in and won his division in his first IBJJF competition.
He moved to the Northshore in 2019 from Houston and began training at Vida Jiu-Jitsu, where he later began coaching, which further ignited his passion for Jiu Jitsu.
Professor Dave received his black belt in 2023 from Greg Lapin at Vida Jiu Jitsu and is a black belt under Professor Raposo. He teaches and trains nearly every day of the week.
Dave grew up in Bay St Louis MS. He and his wife love the beach life and helping others grow in their own journeys.
His style is very technical and he takes a common sense approach in his teaching, breaking steps down in detail to make sure anyone and everyone can apply it, no matter their skill level.
Professor Eric has been involved in Martial Arts since the age of 5. He started his journey doing Traditional Shotokan Karate where he competed at the national and international level, winning several national titles. After hurricane Katrina, Eric moved to Lafayette with his family where he continued to build his striking background training in Muay Thai and boxing. He started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2011 when he was pursuing his interest in MMA.
From there, his interest and passion shifted to Jiu-Jitsu. He trained in Lafayette through 2019, receiving his brown belt a month before moving to Mandeville for his career, where he started training at Vida Jiu Jitsu. He began regularly coaching classes and in September of 2022, Eric received his black belt from his Professor and close friend Greg Lapin and is a black belt under Professor Raposo. He is an active competitor and has competed at the local to international levels, including IBJJF Master Worlds and PanAms.
Professor Eric is always willing to help where he can and is committed to the non-stop growth of Raposo BJJ Academy.
Professor Don has been practicing Jiu-Jitsu since 2005 when he started his law enforcement career in West Virginia. He has trained with some of the best practitioners in the world in an effort to improve his Jiu-Jitsu knowledge for law enforcement, competition and self defense Jiu-Jitsu applications.
Don achieved the rank of black belt in 2019. He enjoys passing his knowledge along to both new and experienced students. Don pushes his students to achieve excellence using fundamental techniques and learning how to push their limits in sparring and competition. Don moved to Louisiana in late 2022 and is thankful to have found his home in the greater New Orleans area.
Came in from out of town.I wanted to keep rolling.These guys were let me come in.No charge was a fantastic role.They taught me some new stand up game that i'm definitely gonna add to my arsenal. I recommend this place for anyone.
Very clean and well-maintained gym. Classes are informative and engaging no matter your skill level. The instructors are knowledgeable and next level when it comes to technique. They truly make sure you understand everything you are learning and how to correctly apply it. Highly recommend this school if you’re looking for a quality jiu jitsu gym.
World class Jiu Jitsu with a highly welcoming environment!!
Great people and environment!
Professor Raposo and his team are definitely the real deal! Their Jiu Jitsu, strengths and techniques have allowed many excellent finishes including several world championships and multiples number one placements including team wins. If you get the opportunity to train there, take it and enjoy the experience. You will be a better person and practitioner of our art! Thanks again professor!!!
Raposo!! Amazing Jiujitsu!! Meeting Professor Eric Raposo was incredible. From the second you walk in the door to the instruction, it was top notch, next level standards. Being new at the gym, I felt like I was training there for years. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, Raposo has you covered!! I am so happy to have been able to visit when I am in the area!! Stop what you are doing and go meet Professor Eric Raposo now!!! Thank you.
Felt great to stop by and visit Raposo BJJ. Great atmosphere!! Great quality training & everyone is welcoming.
Such a friendly bjj community! Had a chance to cross train at an open mat. Many great training partners, including high level female athletes! Everyone was very safe, aware, and technical. Please check them out!
Great! If you're looking for world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and instruction, this is the place!!!
Hands down best gym in Slidell. Multiple World champion instructors and world champion students. Best family environment and the best fellowship I’ve ever been apart of. The best training equipment, and even a cryotank for cryogenic therapy and recovery, that is open to the public to use! If you choose anything where else in the area, you’re automatically settling for second place. A lot of places fake a lot of credentials, but you can’t fake results, and we have the gold medals to prove it. Whether you want to learn self defense, become a competitive athlete, or just get in better shape while making new friends, this is the place for you. No question about it!
A house lead by the best, lead by hard work, honor and family. The place I want to be everyday!
Prof Raposo and his BJJ academy is the best in Slidell, LA, and has such an amazing environment and great people who become family
Stopped in from out of town, and I can say I'd want to train here full time if I lived in the area. Erick Raposo shared his knowledge well, the gym was clean, and everyone at the gym was welcoming and friendly. I look forward to my next visit to Slidell to train here again!
I felt very welcome by Professor Erick and his team. Very quality jiu jitsu instruction and a great atmosphere to train in.
Environment for kids and adults and world class instruction, go check it out for yourself.
Amazing training with top-tier BJJ instruction from Professor Erick Raposo. This place is hidden gem in Slidell, LA (𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘕𝘰𝘭𝘢). An excellent opportunity to train with some world-class champions. Beyond the high-level curriculum provided here, Erick and his team are just good vibes all around. If you are looking to just enjoy some rolls with good people (✓), or looking to evolve your Jiu Jitsu to another level (✓), definitely go here. *** 10 stars if I could ***
Great gym run by great people! Family oriented, team environment, high level BJJ instruction, large training space...hands down best place to train in the area!
Visited after a competition. Erick is a wizard. Really friendly students and clean gym. High level women (purple and brown) and several visiting black belts were there for an open mat so I got amazing training in.
Great place and super clean!
the instructors are amazing! great place for the whole family to train
The best jiu-jitsu academy in Slidell.
Erick is an excellent teacher of Brazilian Jiu jitsu with countless hours of training, teaching, and competition experience. Runs class smoothly and helps breakdown techniques. If you’re looking for self defense, self confidence, or even just a workout or new skill Rapaso BJJ does an excellent job.
World class instruction from a world class guy! Whether you’re a competitor, hobbyist, or anything in between, Professor Erick will get the best out of you.
Erick Raposo is a great coach. It's been a privilege to have him guide my development in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and to introduce my daughter to the martial art. I know he will create an environment here where everyone will grow and develop.
Amazing jiu jitsu and awesome vibe! Can’t recommend professor Raposo enough!
Erick is a very personable, high-level instructor. He has a gift for breaking down the missing pieces to the puzzle for any style of Jiu jitsu and the atmosphere of his classes is very welcoming!
There are very few gyms in the US that can say the head instructor is a world class jiujitsu athlete, moreover one who is currently ranked #1 in his weight class for IBJJF.... And you have him in Slidell, LA... which is crazy! The facility is super nice and kept very clean, great atmosphere, and Professor Raposo is one of the nicest human beings on the planet. You will be very hard pressed to find one person with anything bad to say about him. If you are anywhere within a 45 minute drive of his gym, this is a no brainer, you need to be going here.
Erick is not only one of the top ranked blackbelts in the world but an incredible coach. No matter your Jiu Jitsu experience he can help you reach your goals wether that's winning gold medals or just having fun training. Do yourself and your family a favor by checking out his gym.
Very high level black belt that offers a positive environment that is welcoming to all.
Great place!!!
Whether a hobbyist or competitor, you cannot go wrong with training under Professor Raposo.
One of the best professors around! Professor Erick is an amazing teacher with years of experience teaching anyone from small children to older adults. He’s the most caring coach and leads by example. Slidell is lucky to be gaining him!! Highly recommend!
Aside from having an incredible amount of BJJ knowledge and a passion for teaching, Erick is on of the best people I have ever known. He truly cares for each person he trains in BJJ and does anything he can to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed in life. Slidell is gaining pillar of the community both on and off the mats.
Highest level of BJJ on the gulf coast.
Professor Erick is fantastic at taking complexed techniques & simplifying them in a way that is easy to learn. He is very personable and has created an atmosphere that feels more like a family than just an academy. I couldn’t recommend him and his school enough! You will not be disappointed!
A welcoming place where everyone is valued and accepted. Students, adults and children, are instructed by Prof. Erick Raposo and other very talented instructors.
You won't find a better coach. Whether you're looking to compete in tournaments, learn to protect yourself, or just have fun learning this incredible martial art, Erick Raposo can help you.
Level of instruction is unmatched!
I want to express my thoughts and opinions about Professor Erick Raposo. He is awesome!! Professor Erick Raposo has patience, provides advice, and guidance. His support and influence helps me excel in jiu jitsu on the mat and off the mat. Through motivation, enthusiasm, and excellent communication skills he elevates me to my highest jiu jitsu potential. I am almost 60 years old (not as sharp as the younger generation) so feel like this is not an easy task for him. He takes the time to understand my needs as a student. The depth of details, extra miles, smiles, and excitement I see in him says it all.….I am so grateful!!! My heart for jiu jitsu is full of happiness. I truly am one of the luckiest jiu jitsu students. Don’t miss out on a magical experience. Raposobjj is the best of the best!!!!!
Erick is a top quality person with a highly developed Jiu Jitsu skill set. Slidell is blessed to have someone of his caliber investing in the community!
Erick Raposo has some of the highest level Jiu jitsu and is hands down one of the most caring and passionate Professors.
Now Offering Cryotherapy!
Speed up your recovery and experience all of the benefits of active cold therapy!
We just need a little info and we’ll reach out right away
