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Your first BJJ class is free. Beginners welcome. No experience needed.2643 W Chicago Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622 · (866) 977-7021
Professor Andre Terencio, 6th degree BJJ black belt, Chicago

Professor Andre “Negão” Terencio · BJJ Instructor in Chicago

Andre “Negão” Terencio

Black Belt · 6th Degree · Co-Founder

Co-founder of Brazil 021, co-owner of Brazil 021 Chicago and one of the most respected referees in the sport.

15 yrsIBJJF head referee
5 yrsFJJRio referee
Gold2018 IBJJF Boston Open, black belt
PRIDEBJJ head referee & Chicago organizer

About Professor Andre

André Fernando Alves Terencio is a tournament director and co-founder of Brazil 021 School of Jiu-Jitsu and of the Brazil 021 Project, a non-profit organization. He also co-owns Brazil 021 Chicago. In April 2026 he was promoted to 6th-degree black belt.

André has an extensive career as a referee: five years at FJJRio, the first Brazilian jiu-jitsu federation, and 15 years as head referee for the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).

Professor Andre Terencio teaching at Brazil 021 Chicago
Professor Andre Terencio teaching at Brazil 021 Chicago

Today he is head referee at Gracie Barra COMPNET Illinois and at PRIDE BJJ, where he has also organized the Chicago events since 2019.

On the mats, parents single him out in their reviews for how warmly he welcomes kids and how well he knows how to teach them.

Career timeline

A life on the mats.

  1. 1997Bronze, Brazilian National Championship, purple belt
  2. 1998Silver, Roraima State Championship, brown belt
  3. 5 yrsReferee for FJJRio, the first Brazilian jiu-jitsu federation
  4. 15 yrsHead referee for the IBJJF
  5. 2018Gold, IBJJF Boston Open, black belt Master 3
  6. 2019Began organizing PRIDE BJJ events in Chicago, where he is also head referee
  7. 2026Promoted to 6th-degree black belt in April

On the Mats With Professor Andre

In the academy.

Professor Andre Terencio teaching a kids BJJ class in Chicago
Andre teaching a kids class
No-gi students with Professor Andre Terencio in Chicago
No-gi students with Professor Andre Terencio in Chicago
Brazil 021 Chicago BJJ instructors together
Brazil 021 Chicago BJJ instructors together
Brazil 021 Chicago students and instructors team photo
Andre with the Brazil 021 Chicago team
Hannette Staack and Andre Terencio, Brazil 021 co-founders
Professors Hannette Staack and Andre Terencio
Brazil 021 Chicago BJJ instructor team
Brazil 021 Chicago BJJ instructor team

What Students Say About Professor Andre

From our Google reviews.

The owner Professor Andre is one of the warmest and kindest people I have met. But he also knows exactly how to speak to and teach the students.
Allison Toombs · Parent · Google review
This Jiu-Jitsu school is amazing for kids. Instructor and owner Andre is just really amazing with kids.
Jose Cervantes · Parent · Google review