Welcome to
TraditionJiu Jitsu Academy
Tradition Jiu Jitsu Academy is the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school that is based in the heart of Tradition in Port St. Lucie, Florida and provides training programs for kids and adults. Classes are led and instructed by Valeria and Mateo Nunez, whom offer a detailed insight into the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for all skill levels.
Valeria and Mateo have extensively trained and competed over the years and currently train regularly to provide both new and advanced students with fundamental self-defense methods as well as advanced level training. The Nunez family always seek to improve their student's performance in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Jiu Jitsu
for Kids
Jiu Jitsu
for Youth
Jiu Jitsu
for Adults
Meet Our
Instructors
Tradition Jiu-Jitsu Academy is the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school that is based in the heart of Tradition, Port St. Lucie and provides kids and adults training programs. Our classes are instructed by Valeria and Mateo Nunez, whom offer a detailed insight into the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for all skill levels.
The Nunez couple have extensively trained and competed over the years and train regularly to stay up to date with the current techniques to provide new and advanced students in basic fundamental self-defense methods and advanced level training. They accommodate both the beginner students and competitors, and seek to improve their student's performance in the art of Brazilian Jiu jitsu.
Black BeltKids Jiu-Jitsu InstructorIBJJF Certified RefereeCertified Personal Trainer
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Valeria Nunez discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2010 while training at the gym to improve her performance as a college rugby player. Initially focused on strength and conditioning, she was introduced to Jiu-Jitsu during her workouts. At first, she hesitated to try it, already deeply committed to rugby. However, her passion for Jiu-Jitsu quickly grew, eventually leading her to leave rugby behind and dedicate herself fully to the sport.
In 2014, Valeria began her coaching journey, teaching both children’s and women’s Jiu-Jitsu classes. During this time, she discovered her true calling: helping others grow, gain confidence, and reach their potential through martial arts. To strengthen her teaching abilities, she earned her personal trainer certification and completed multiple functional training courses to enhance her instruction.
A major milestone in her journey came in 2017, when she was promoted to brown belt under Roger Coelho. In 2019, she relocated to the United States, continuing her development both on and off the mats. The following year, she made the meaningful decision to step away from training to focus on raising her children.
By the end of 2023, Valeria returned to Jiu-Jitsu as a proud mother of two, renewed and motivated to continue growing as both a student and an instructor. She joined Brazilian Top Team and resumed her training under world-class black belt competitor Gabriel Procópio Fonseca. Despite balancing a demanding schedule as an instructor and parent, she remains an active competitor, consistently testing herself at high-level tournaments. In 2024 and 2025, she earned gold medals at every IBJJF competition she entered in Florida. In January 2026, she achieved one of the greatest milestones of her career, being promoted to black belt under Gabriel Fonseca.
With years of experience as a competitor, instructor, and trainer, Valeria is deeply committed to empowering women and children both physically and emotionally through Jiu-Jitsu. She believes that the lessons learned on the mats extend far beyond training, shaping individuals into stronger, more confident versions of themselves. As she often says, “You have to be a black belt inside and outside the mats.”
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Sérgio Bolão > Ricardo Marques > Gabriel Procópio Fonseca
Favorite Position/Technique: Half Guard
Black BeltJiu-Jitsu Head InstructorIBJJF Certified RefereeSafe Sport CertifiedFirst Aid/CPR Certified
Mateo Nunez’s passion for sports and martial arts began at the age of six and has remained a driving force throughout his life. His introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu came through a unique opportunity while working alongside UFC referee Mario Yamasaki. After attending his first class, Mateo was instantly hooked, beginning his Jiu-Jitsu journey in November 2007 under the guidance of the Yamasaki family. Training under Fernando Yamasaki, he steadily progressed through the ranks, earning his blue and purple belts along the way.
In 2012, Mateo continued his development under the mentorship of David “The Rock” Jacobs and Abmar Barbosa. Training diligently under their instruction, he was awarded his brown belt in 2014. He remained with them until 2019, when he transitioned to Conquest BJJ and began training under Luiz Vicente da Silva Júnior. In 2022, Mateo achieved one of the most significant milestones of his career, earning his black belt from Luiz Vicente da Silva Júnior, a world-class competitor who holds his own black belt under the legendary Ricardo De La Riva.
After relocating to Florida, Mateo joined Brazilian Top Team, where he now trains under world-class black belt competitor Gabriel Procópio Fonseca. Despite maintaining a demanding schedule as an instructor, he continues to compete actively, consistently challenging himself and medaling at high-level Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.
Since 2011, Mateo has been a dedicated competitor, earning medals across numerous prestigious events, including multiple IBJJF Championships and Super Fights. His most notable accomplishments include first-place finishes at the ADCC Virginia Beach Nationals and the IBJJF New York Pro, as well as a standout victory at Fight2Win Pro 53MD, where he received the coveted “Fight of the Night” honor as a brown belt.
With years of experience training and competing under world-class instructors, Mateo remains deeply committed to sharing his knowledge with the students of Tradition Jiu-Jitsu Academy. His dedication to the art and his passion for teaching ensure that every student benefits from the techniques, discipline, and values he has developed throughout his Jiu-Jitsu journey.
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Ricardo De La Riva > Luiz Vicente da Silva Júnior > Mateo Nunez
Favorite Position/Technique: Lasso Guard
Head Wrestling Instructor
Jordi Perez began his grappling journey at just 10 years old, training at Jupiter Boxing Club and Jupiter Jiu Jitsu. Now a dedicated blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jordi has spent more than a decade sharpening his skills on the mats.
Early success in youth competitions fueled his passion for grappling, eventually leading him to join the wrestling program at Jupiter High School. His hard work and discipline earned him a scholarship to Johnson & Wales University, where he competed in their NCAA Division III wrestling program.
Jordi credits much of his technical foundation and competitive mindset to his college coach, whose demanding style reshaped the way Jordi approaches grappling. He learned that in wrestling, and in life, anything can happen at any time. His motto reflects that spirit: with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of heart, you can “Take ’em down!”
At Tradition Jiu Jitsu Academy, Coach Jordi teaches a specialized class called "Take 'em Down" focused on wrestling takedowns and transitional techniques that seamlessly integrate with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, helping students elevate their Gi and No-Gi grappling to the next level.
