Origin
Carlson Gracie
A founding figure of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the technical heritage behind Brazilian Top Team.
International BJJ Team
Icon BJJ is a global Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team founded by Zé Marcello — connecting academies and instructors around the world through shared standards, lineage, and technical depth.
Founded by
Zé Marcello
6th Degree Black Belt
Lineage
Brazilian
Top Team
Network
Academies
across Europe
The Icon Standard
From the morning class in Milton Keynes to a seminar in Sintra, the technique, structure, and standard remain the same.
Icon BJJ is not a directory of gyms. It is a team — connected by lineage, by shared standards, and by the trust between black belts who train, teach, and grow together.
One name, one standard, carried through every academy in the network.
📸 Replace with portrait of Zé Marcello
Founder
Founder of Icon BJJ · World Champion · Brazilian Top Team Lineage
Zé Marcello — José Marcello Rodrigues — founded Icon BJJ to build something larger than a single academy: a team of academies, connected by lineage, technical standards, and direct relationships between black belts.
He trained under Sérgio "Bolão" Souza of Brazilian Top Team, became a World Champion in 1997, a European Absolute Champion in 2008, and has since produced over fifty black belts internationally. Today he teaches, develops instructors, and oversees academy growth across the Icon network.
Lineage
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, lineage is the technical record that proves what's being taught came from somewhere — and that the instructor has earned the right to pass it on. Icon's lineage runs through one of the most decorated teams in the sport.
Origin
A founding figure of modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the technical heritage behind Brazilian Top Team.
Team
One of the most respected and decorated BJJ and MMA teams in the sport's history.
Master
Black Belt, Brazilian Top Team — Zé Marcello's direct instructor and mentor.
Icon BJJ
6th Degree Black Belt, World Champion. Carrying the lineage into academies internationally.
"Lineage isn't history. It's the technical record that proves what you teach actually came from somewhere — and that you have earned the right to pass it on."
The Network
Each Icon academy is led by a black belt connected to the team. Find your nearest academy below, or browse the full directory.
United Kingdom,
Zé Marcello 6th Degree Black Belt
The flagship Icon academy in the UK, taught directly by the founder. Adults, kids, and No-Gi programmes.
View AcademyUnited Kingdom
Instructor profile pending Black Belt · Icon BJJ
An Icon-affiliated academy serving Watford and the surrounding Hertfordshire area.
View AcademyUnited Kingdom
Instructor profile pending Black Belt · Icon BJJ
Icon BJJ in the Thames Valley — adults and kids classes throughout the week.
View AcademyUnited Kingdom
Instructor profile pending Black Belt · Icon BJJ
Icon BJJ in the East of England — full weekly schedule for adults and kids.
View AcademyPortugal
Instructor profile pending Black Belt · Icon BJJ
Icon's Portuguese chapter, training in the Sintra municipality.
View AcademyFrance
Instructor profile pending Black Belt · Icon BJJ
Icon BJJ in south-east France — part of the team's growing European presence.
View AcademyInstructors
Every Icon academy is led by a black belt who has earned the right to teach under the Icon name — through years of training, competition, and direct instruction within the team.
📸 Portrait · Zé Marcello
Milton Keynes · United Kingdom
📸 Portrait · TBC
Watford · United Kingdom
📸 Portrait · TBC
Sintra · Portugal
📸 Portrait · TBC
Valence · France
Seminars & Team Events
Seminars, gradings, instructor development, and international team gatherings — the moments where the network trains together.
Event dates and details will be confirmed and published as they are scheduled.
Affiliation
Affiliation with Icon BJJ is a relationship between black belts — built on technical respect, shared lineage, and a willingness to uphold the team's standard. We work with a small number of academies, by invitation, introduction, or serious enquiry.
For instructors and academy owners ready to teach under the Icon name and connect to a wider international team.
Affiliation begins at the black belt level. Academies are led by qualified instructors with verifiable rank.
A clear and credible BJJ lineage matters. We value where you've trained and who you've trained under.
Icon is a team, not a logo. Affiliation means becoming part of how the team trains, teaches, and connects.
We work with academies committed to the long view — building students, standards, and reputation over years.
For Students
Browse the network and connect with your nearest academy. Local details, timetables, and trial classes live on each academy's own page.
For Academy Owners
Selective affiliation for black belts and academy owners ready to teach under the Icon banner. Earn the connection — and the team comes with it.