About Us - Range BJJ NYC
At Range BJJ NYC, we cater everything we do with our customers/students in mind and our mission is to offer our students the very best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction and training, so that they may reach their highest potential in a safe, supportive environment.
We believe that the journey is as important as the destination and each student has their own unique path.
EDUARDO CAPELUTO (Head Instructor)
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Eduardo relocated to NYC in 2000. As an American Citizen, he established life and family in the upper east side of town. For many years, Eduardo envisioned bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the heart of the Upper East Side of Manhattan, as it was one of the few NYC neighborhoods that did not have a BJJ presence.
Eduardo started his BJJ journey in the early 1990s and through the years had the privilege to have learned under the tutelage of Professors Fabio Gurgel, Romero ‘Jacare’ Cavalcanti, Marcelo Garcia, and Lucas Lepri.
In 2010 Eduardo received his Black Belt from Lucas Lepri.
Eduardo believes that the Jiu-Jitsu learning journey has no end. New techniques are created, different approaches emerge, and new styles become in evidence, so It is crucial to have the opportunity to gain knowledge of the new and be able to connect the novel concepts with the Jiu Jitsu fundamentals.
Eduardo is currently a 4th degree black belt
Accomplishments:
2X New York Open Champion
1X Long Island Pride Champion
Nadire Khelifi (Instructor)
Originally from Paris, France, Nadire started his martial arts journey at a young age, initially with boxing, then Kickboxing and Muay Thai. In the 1990s, Nadire started his Jiu-Jitsu journey in France and deepened his study by traveling and living in Brazil while studying at Gracie Humaita. Through the years he had the opportunity to have learned from Royler and Renzo Gracie, Fabio Clemente, Lucas Lepri, Babs Olusanmokun, and Eduardo Capeluto.
Nadire earned his Black Belt in 2017 from Babs Olusanmokun and Fabio Clemente and currently is a 2nd-degree Black Belt under Eduardo Capeluto.
Accomplishments:
NY Open champion
Boston Open Champion
2nd place Long Island Pride
3rd place Worlds Master
Mackenzie Fingerhut (Coach)
As a New Jersey native, Mackenzie began learning martial arts at the age of six. She began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 13 and has continued her journey into New York. She has trained and competed under Marcelo Garcia where she earned several coveted titles. Mackenzie is currently a brown belt training under Eduardo Capeluto.
Accomplishments:
IBJJF Gi World Champion
IBJJF GI Pan American Champion
IBJJF No-Gi World Champion
IBJJF No-Gi Pan American Champion
Michael Robinson (Coach)
Coach Mike is a brown belt under Chad Vasquez and currently trains under Jon Calestine and Chad Vasquez, as well as Eduardo Capeluto. Mike has several years experience teaching kids, teens and adults.
From 2017-2020 he ran a successful kid’s program in Long Island City where his students medaled in several local tournaments.
Mike is also a certified personal trainer
Edmond Pepaj (Coach)
From an early age, Edmond expressed interest in martial arts. He quickly demonstrated passion for close combat sports and as part of his middle school wrestling team, he developed a strong sense of discipline which laid a solid foundation and led him to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Edmond has competed and medaled in several local and IBJJF tournaments.
As an instructor, Edmond is a patient and insightful coach, committed to help students achieve their highest potential.
Edmond is currently a purple belt training under Eduardo Capeluto.