# Alain Pozo

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## Overview

**Name:** Alain Pozo

**Date of Birth:** February 01, 1974 (age 52)


## Bio

A late bloomer who found jiu-jitsu only in his mid-20s, Alain Pozo built a reputation as the quiet force behind Carlson Gracie Essex, turning a small Colchester gym into one of the UK's top production lines. Born in Quito but raised in Recife, he was initiated by surfing hero Zé Radiola's backyard classes under brown belt Charles dos Anjos, whose system Pozo initially dismissed until he was submitted by every novice in the room. After purple under Wilson Jr. and Nelson Solari in London, then four years of no-gi MMA grappling in Florida, Pozo returned to England in 2009 to take over Claudio Silva's vacated academy. He received his black belt from Wilson Jr. in December 2013, later splitting to launch the first ZR Team UK affiliate with Radiola in 2017. His signature arm triangle remains a staple of the team's game.
## Specialties

- Guillotine, Wristlock, Foot Locks, Kimura.
## Achievements

- Atlantic Cup Champion (purple belt)
- London Open Champion (2015 black belt master 3)
- European No-Gi Champion (2015 black belt master 3)
- European Champion (2012 brown belt senior 1)
- Dorset & Hants Open – Black Belt Superfight Winner (2014)
- Manchester Open – Black Belt Superfight Winner (2014)
- NAGA Paris Champion (2012 brown Gi)
- NAGA Paris 2nd Place (2011 purple Gi & No-Gi)

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**Last Updated:** September 29, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/alain-pozo)