Professor Dimitri’s training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu started at the age of 18 (in 1997) at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance. There he studied under Grand Master Helio Gracie, Royce & Rorion Gracie & Caique Elias. After seeing the world championships on a video he decided that he wanted to become a champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and felt that the Machado Brothers may be able to help him more to achieve this goal. In 1999, Professor Dimitrios started training under Roger Machado. He was very impressed with Roger’s style of Jiu-Jitsu and began training very consistently becoming one of Roger’s most dedicated students. Professor Dimitrios received his purple belt under Roger Machado.