> Nova União

Nova União is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts team based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, founded in 1995 by André Pederneiras and Wendell Alexander. The name translates to “New Union,” reflecting the partnership between Pederneiras, a student of Carlson Gracie, and Alexander, who comes from the non-Gracie “Fadda” BJJ lineage. Nova União rose to prominence both in BJJ competition and in MMA, becoming regarded as one of the top three BJJ academies in the world at the turn of the millennium and claiming two team world titles by 2002. The team gained global recognition primarily through MMA, producing two UFC world champions: José Aldo, the dominant UFC Featherweight Champion trained under Pederneiras, and Renan Barão, the UFC Bantamweight Champion. Pederneiras served as head coach and co-leader of the team for more than two decades, establishing Nova União as one of the most influential MMA coaching programs in Brazilian history. Other notable Nova União alumni include Vitor Shaolin Ribeiro, Dudu Dantas, and Marlon Sandro.