Linage of Darcio Lira Jiu-Jitsu

Master Darcio Lira, born on January 21st, 1952, in Senador Pompeu - Ceará state, has been captivated by the Way of Eastern Martial Arts since his early years. Faced with the absence of schools or instructors in his town, he embarked on his Jiu-Jitsu journey as an autodidact. In his early teens, around 12 to 13 years old, he initiated his studies solely from books and practiced alongside his adopted brother, Pinheiro, on the sands of the Banabuiú river. In moments when military officials and Martial Arts instructors visited the city, he seized the opportunity to take lessons or discreetly observe, sometimes from elevated vantage points like trees and walls, particularly during private classes.

Several years later, around 1970, after relocating to the capital, Master Dárcio had the privilege of formal practice with the renowned Master Francisco Sá. Subsequently, he earned his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Master Sá. As a disciplined and persistent practitioner, Dárcio swiftly transitioned to the role of a trainer assistant, actively participating in regular demonstrations of self-defense organized by the city's academy. In these public challenges, following the demonstrations, Professor Sá questioned if anyone harbored doubts about the effectiveness of the defenses showcased. If the response was affirmative, challengers were invited to the stage to attack the practitioner at will, often employing various weapons such as sticks, knives, and chairs. The demonstrator had to be well-prepared for unexpected scenarios.

For the next 20 years Professor Dárcio Lira owned a couple of schools and continued his training, but moved to Porto Velho, RO (Rondônia) due to work for the government.  Upon his formal return to teaching in 1996 after returning to Fortaleza, driven by the wishes of his sons and numerous friends, Dárcio Lira initiated the creation of a didactic approach that starkly differed from the prevalent practices in most academies at that time. Dárcio was unwavering in his commitment to rigorous training, emphasizing the retrieval of Eastern martial culture, a facet often overlooked by instructors and practitioners within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Darlynson, Dheyne, and Dâmokles, the three sons of Master Dárcio Lira, were now able to practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on a regular basis with the opening of a new school. Darlynson, Dheyne, and Dâmokles competed in many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments in Brazil including mixed martial arts and Vale Tudo events.  

Around this time, a young Carlos Rocha would visit the academy peering through the window.  Being an orphan and living on the beach, Carlos did not have the money to train at academy.  Darlynson approached Carlos and invited him to train free at the academy in exchange for his hard work and dedication to competition.  Carlos went on to train and compete in many events in Brazilian and was extremely successful in his competition endeavors.  Master Darcio adopted Carlos at 18 years old where he lived with the family until the age of 20.

Dárcio had already earned widespread recognition as a genuine Professor, celebrated for the uniqueness of his ideas and the gravity with which he approached his craft. Commendation poured in not only from Jiu-Jitsu instructors across various states in the country but also from educators in diverse Martial Arts systems worldwide. His impactful contributions to the martial arts community and the expansion of his system did not go unnoticed in his home state. 

In 2009, Grand Master José Gomes and Grand Master Francisco Sá, recognizing the international impact of Dárcio's efforts, insisted on his promotion to the prestigious 9th degree. The ceremony, an unprecedented event in the state of Ceará.

Master Dárcio holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from UECE and has been retired since 1999 by the Agriculture Federal Station of Ceará. He is the esteemed founder of the Dárcio Lira School of Jiu-Jitsu - EDLJJ and FJJTEC (Traditional Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Ceará). Notably, Master Dárcio played a pivotal role as an activist, vehemently opposing the inclusion of Martial Arts into the Physical Education curriculum (CONFEF Federal Council of Physical Education) in Brazil. He received heartfelt thanks for his dedicated efforts in preserving the unique cultural identity of Martial Arts, ensuring their independence and autonomy in teaching without interference from the Education Physical Counsel. In June 2010, he was honored at the Legislative Assembly of the State of Ceará for his outstanding contributions to the State in humanitarian activities and sports, specifically through the commendable work of the Dárcio Lira School of Jiu Jitsu.

Shihan Darlynson Lira was promoted to a 7th degree coral belt in 2024 by Grand Master Darcio Lira.  Master Darlynson owns Darcio Lira Jiu Jitsu school in Livermore, California, and manages affiliations in the United States.

Professor Dheyne Lira practices law in Brazil and helps with instruction at Darcio Lira schools in Brazil.

Professor Dâmokles Lira owns and operates numerous academies in Brazil with an affiliation in Virginia.  

Carlos Rocha owns Dárcio Lira Hayward in California, after having a successful MMA career in Germany, UFC and Bellator.

Lineage: 

TAKEO YANO (in Recife, contracted by the Air Force) trained FRANCISCO SÁ, who graduated DARCIO LIRA. 

MITSUYO MAEDA trained GRACIE CARLOS, who trained GEORGE GRACIE, who trained NILO VELOSO, who trained JURANDIR MOURA, JOSE MARIA FREIRE and also BUILSON OSMAR they trained IVAN GOMES, who trained ZÉ (JOSE) GOMES, who graduated DÁRCIO LIRA 

• Sensei Darlynson Lira 7th Degree Black Belt under Master Darcio Lira from Fortaleza, Brazil with 40 years dedicated to Jiu Jitsu and Martial Arts. He is the oldest son of the Master Darcio Lira Red Belt 10th Degree in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

• Sensei Lira is the head instructor and founder of the Darcio Lira Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Martial Arts School in Livermore, California USA  The Lira family has affiliate schools in Brazil and USA.

• Sensei Darlynson has international experience and he is a world class BJJ/MMA instructor. His students fight and compete in all levels and types of combat sports such  as US Open, American Cup, NAGA, Mundials, Panams, CAMO, Strike Force, Bellator, Invicta, UFC and other events.

• Sensei Lira also has international experience doing Jiu Jitsu seminars in many countries as such as Spain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Brazil.