Beloved jiu-jitsu photographer Mike Calimbas is now a black belt in BJJ.
Calimbas is a very familiar face at most of the USA’s most prestigious tournaments both behind the camera and on the mats. He’s made a name for himself as one of the most well-known and skilled photographers in the sport, and if you’ve ever seen the cool walkout or action photos from a Fight 2 Win event, there’s a good chance they were taken by him.
Calimbas doesn’t just capture the action, though — he throws himself into it. In addition to competing at some of the events he photographs (including Worlds, No-Gi Worlds, and Fight 2 Win), he also recently became one of the proud owners of Renzo Gracie Lake Houston.
Calimbas shared a sentimental post to commemorate the occasion and deliver his gratitude:
“What a journey! Everyone has their own but I’m grateful for mine, and now it feels like I get to start all over again. Thank you to everyone who has ever supported me, most of all my professors and training partners. To Dentinho who gave me my black belt, I am so honored to be one of yours. Mestre Rilion, Renzo, Romulo, Marcelo, everyone, 🙏🙏🙏. To the guys from the garage, look what we’re building at @renzogracielakehouston. Amazing! And with good men and great friends who want to do so much for our community and make the world a better place! At the end of the day, #jiujitsu is what you make of it. This art can do so much. It can transform lives and add so much positivity into this world. The rest of it is really up to you. Follow your heart, be grateful then pass it on. Oss! ”
