# Ethos Jiu-Jitsu > Fullerton, United States ## Overview **Name:** Ethos Jiu-Jitsu **Description:** Ethos Jiu-Jitsu is a family-oriented Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Fullerton, California, founded by second-degree black belts Ron Mukai and Jerardo (Jerry) Linares, both under William Tetsch of Leon Jiu Jitsu. The academy prides itself on being a home for jiu-jitsu, self-defense, and anti-bullying, with a mission of building character through jiu-jitsu. The lineage traces back through Helio Gracie, Royler Gracie (Gracie Humaita), Cleber Luciano (Cleber Jiu Jitsu), and William Tetsch. Ethos offers specialized programs for the entire family, including Kids Pee Wee (ages 5-7), Kids classes (ages 8-13), and comprehensive adult programs with Fundamentals classes for beginners and All Levels classes for intermediate and advanced practitioners. The academy also offers women-only classes held bi-weekly in partnership with another local gym. The head instructor is Rodnei (Roy) Barbosa, a third-degree black belt who has been training since 2004 and earned his black belt in 2015, with an impressive competitive record including Brazilian Nationals, South American, European, World Pro, and World's IBJJF NoGi titles. The instructors at Ethos include Ron Mukai (second-degree black belt, founder), Jerardo Linares (second-degree black belt, founder and Real Estate Broker), Wendy Mukai (black belt, received on the podium at IBJJF Master Worlds 2023), Filipe Pimentel (second-degree black belt, international referee), and Rodnei Barbosa (third-degree black belt, head instructor). The academy emphasizes that jiu-jitsu is for everyone, welcoming students of all ages and fitness levels, with Ron Mukai himself starting training at age 39 and now competing in his 50s. Ethos also operates East LA Jiu Jitsu, a non-profit jiu-jitsu school founded in April 2021. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** 618 N Harbor Blvd Unit A Fullerton, AZ 92832, United States **Phone:** 657-390-1133 **Website:** https://www.ethosjiujitsu.com **Social Media:** - Instagram: http://instagram.com/ethos_bjj_fullerton - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ethosbjjfullerton/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUtaKUgfdJIYRZSDVRUhbtw?view_as=subscriber ## Pricing ## Instructors ### Rodnei Barbosa - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Rodnei Barbosa was born on January 14, 1995, in Formiga – Minas Gerais, Brazil. The same town where well-known grapplers such as Marcelo Garcia , Rodrigo Ranieri , Matheus Diniz came from. Martial arts appeared in Rodnei’s life at the age of 6, through capoeira, a style he practiced for 1 year. Due to Barbosa’s parents’ dire economic situation, he had to leave his capoeira days on standby. He returned to martial arts when he was 9 years old, through a social project led by Lourenço Nascimento at the town’s university where he first learned about jiu-jitsu. Under Lourenço Nascimento’s guidance, Rodnei went through the belt system up until 2013 when Rodnei decided to make of jiu-jitsu his career, choosing to move away from Formiga and joining Paulo Rezende ‘s headquarters academy in Poço de Caldas – MG, a gym to which Lourenço Nascimento was affiliated to. At Rezende’s gym, Rodnei joined Rezende’s famous fighter house. A place where coach “Paulao” shelters the team’s pro-athletes, providing them a roof, food and training. A place that has produced several talented athletes such as the aforementioned Reinaldo Ribeiro, Marcelo Garcia, Matheus Diniz and many more. On the 24th of November, 2015. Rodney Barbosa was awarded his black belt from the hands of the prestigious coach Paulo Rezende, becoming Paulao’s 234th black belt. Rodnei Barbosa vs Raphael Rachid Rodnei Barbosa vs Douglas Josué ### Filipe Pimentel - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Filipe Pimentel is a 2nd degree black belt who has been training since 2009, starting at age 14 in a social project in Brazil. He is an internationally recognized referee, having officiated at major tournaments including IBJJF Worlds, Pans, European, and AJP events. He has won at State, National, and International levels as a competitor. Filipe is also a licensed Civil Engineer, graduating in 2018. ### Jerardo Linares - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Jerardo (Jerry) Linares is a 2nd degree black belt and one of the founders of Ethos Jiu-Jitsu, with over 20 years of training. He was introduced to jiu-jitsu while attending San Diego State University studying Business Finance. He is an active competitor and works as a Real Estate Broker for Millenia Real Estate. ### Ron Mukai - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Ron Mukai started jiu jitsu at age 39, earned his black belt in 2017, and is a founder/partner in several schools including Ethos Jiu Jitsu in Fullerton (2016), East LA Jiu Jitsu (2022), 2002 Jiu Jitsu in Boston MA (2024), and Boyle Heights Jiu Jitsu (2025). He is a recovering lawyer, broker, real estate developer and entrepreneur with deep roots in East LA. Ron won gold as a black belt at the 2023 IBJJF Orange County Open and silver at IBJJF Pans as a brown belt. ### Wendy Mukai - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Wendy Mukai received her black belt on the podium of the IBJJF Master World's tournament in summer 2023 after decisively winning her division as a brown belt. She is a first-generation Mexican-American, born in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. She graduated from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) and had a 10-year career as a Fashion Designer before dedicating herself to jiu-jitsu and raising her family of fighters. ## Programs ### Kids Pee Wee **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Kids class for 5-7 year olds. Perfect for all levels! Building character through Jiu-Jitsu. ### Kids **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Kids class for 8-13 year olds. Perfect for all levels! Brazilian Jiu Jitsu produces confident, hardworking, humble, disciplined individuals. ### Fundamentals **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** A class geared towards beginners. In this class we focus on learning the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu and work to improve our basic understanding of important concepts. ### All Levels **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** This class is meant for intermediate, advanced, and beginners who want to challenge themselves and dive deeper into techniques. In the all levels class we dive deeper into the techniques of jiu jitsu moves and combinations. ### Women Only **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Women-only classes held bi-weekly on Fridays, alternating between Ethos (7:30pm) and BHJJ (8pm). --- **Last Updated:** March 01, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/arizona/fullerton/ethos-jiu-jitsu)