Bellator Champion Rafael Lovato Jr teaches at Lyndhurst BJJ Academy

Bellator Champion Rafael Lovato Jr teaches at Lyndhurst BJJ Academy

Former Bellator Champion Rafael Lovato Jr taught at Lyndhurst BJJ Academy Savarese Jiu-Jitsu tonight. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, coming off a 2nd place finish at the 2024 ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championship, stopped by close friend Professor Chris Savarese’s Academy to teach. Lovato and Savarese go back close to 25 years meeting at a Grapplers quest event they were both fighting in and and traveling a lot to tournaments over the years. Savarese has also been Lovato’s cornerman on many for East Coast fights.

Savarese’s thoughts

Absolutely awesome seminar tonight by my friend Rafael Lovato Jr.. special night for me as well. Blessed to be able to have him share his knowledge with us every year. Our friendship goes back over 20 years and he even stated how he watched some of the students grow up since they were kids. But it was a great advanced basics seminar that everyone absolutely loved. To make the night even more special, he recognized the talent of our room and the hard work of the instructors and I and promoted to 4th degree blackbelt, speaking movingly of the success we had through a personal health battle I encountered, my hard work, dedication and way of the bushido, of doing things the right way in an age where that doesn’t happen often. I was very touched and honored not only to share that moment on my mats and with my students but because our association has some amazing, world class instructors whom I greatly respect and I am honored to represent our association. Thank you to Professor Lovato and everyone for a great night of learning Jiu-Jitsu.

Savarese Blackbelt shares his thoughts

Special congratulations to my Jiu-Jitsu instructor, Professor Chris Savarese, for being promoted to 4th Degree Blackbelt. This is an incredible achievement and so well deserved. In a day an age where experience, resilience, and loyalty are often overshadowed by views, clicks, and fads it was an honor to see this promotion, his loyalty to his craft and students recognized, and be a part of his legacy. Congrats!