# Ethos East LA Jiu-Jitsu Clube > Los Angeles, United States ## Overview **Name:** Ethos East LA Jiu-Jitsu Clube **Description:** East LA Jiu Jitsu is a non-profit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school founded in April 2022 by Ron Mukai, Wendy Mukai, and Scott Torres with a mission to change the Eastside through the art of Jiu-Jitsu. With deep roots in East LA spanning 90 years, the founders envisioned a school where students could train regardless of economic status or ability to pay, growing in character through discipline, diligence, respect, and hard work. The school serves over 800 students annually from East LA and Boyle Heights, engaging more than 1,200 families each year and awarding 250 scholarships to students experiencing financial hardship. In July 2025, they opened their second non-profit location, Boyle Heights Jiu Jitsu. East LA Jiu Jitsu is affiliated with Ethos Jiu Jitsu in Fullerton, sharing world-class instructors and a commitment to building character through Jiu-Jitsu. The program provides quality Jiu-Jitsu instruction to all interested students regardless of income, with sliding scale pricing and comprehensive scholarship programs. Students receive loaner gis for their first class, and financial assistance is available for gi purchases. The school's world-class instructors have competed at local, national, and international levels, bringing elite training while focusing on developing students into the best versions of themselves. East LA Jiu Jitsu partners with organizations including Ethos Jiu Jitsu, KIPP SoCal, Chick-fil-A, and Homeboy Industries to serve the community. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** 3660 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90063 Los Angeles, NC 90063, United States **Phone:** (833) 725-3615 **Email:** info@elajj.com **Website:** https://www.eastlajiujitsu.org **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/east_la_jiujitsu/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ_mEMpeAYb9cu6Y4zXtSMQ ## 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 ### Ron Mukai - Black **Role:** Head 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. ### Scott Torres - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Scott Torres began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2010 upon his discharge from the United States Navy. He trained under Professor Johnny Ramirez at Newbreed Mixed Martial Arts and received his black belt in July 2019. Scott is a professional Historian with undergraduate and graduate degrees from CSU Fullerton, working as an Architectural Historian in Pasadena. He has trained internationally including in Berlin, Germany. ### 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. ### Leonardo de Barros Vilela - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Leonardo (Léo) de Barros Vilela earned his black belt in June 2023. He began training at age 6 in a social project in Poço Fundo, Brazil, and has been passionate about giving back to his community. He competed successfully at Brazilian Nationals, South American Championships, and internationally at European IBJJF, AJP Grand Slam London, and World Pro. ### 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. --- **Last Updated:** March 03, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/north-carolina/los-angeles/ethos-east-la-jiu-jitsu-clube)