Professor Jeff Vigil
Black Belt 3rd Degree
Professor Jeff has been a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner for 25 years and is a third degree black belt. Professor Jeff began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career training under Professor Alberto Crane, in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the early 2000s. Professor Alberto Crane received his black belt from Professor Vinicius Magalhães (Draculino). Professor Jeff then transitioned to training under Professor Roberto "Tussa" Alencar, who received his black belt from Master Carlos Gracie, Jr.
Professor Jeff started teaching the kids program at Gracie Barra West Side Albuquerque in approximately 2005. It was there that he fell in love with instructing. After receiving his black belt in 2012, Professor Jeff received the opportunity to open a school in El Paso, Texas.
Gracie Barra El Paso was opened in June of 2012 to great success, and his school quickly became a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu powerhouse in the community. With the success of his students growing in the community, there was great demand for Professor Jeff to open up a second school on the east side. Gracie Barra East El Paso opened in 2021.
Professor Jeff coaches champions, both nationally and internationally, at events such as the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the ADCC Submission Fighting World Federation, and a myriad of local tournaments. Gracie Barra, together with Professor Jeff and the entire El Paso Gracie Barra Team, continue to make their mark in the city. Professor Jeff is always welcoming and encourages you to come upgrade your life with him on the mats through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Professor Francisco De Leon
Black belt 2nd Degree
Professor Frisco is a second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, former mixed martial arts fighter, and former collegiate wrestler. He started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the summer of 2002, at the young age of eleven years old, giving him over 23 years of combat sports experience. Having competed in gi, nogi, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, and wrestling, Professor Frisco has done it all. Competing at the highest levels throughout his whole career, Professor Frisco has an outstanding competition resume.
He earned his black belt in 2018, given to him by Professor Jeff Vigil (black belt under Professor Roberto “Tussa” Alencar). Professor Frisco has also trained with many other high level champions such as Jon “Bones” Jones, Aaron “Tex” Johnson, Roberto “Tussa” Alencar, Otavio Sousa, Romulo Barral, and many more.
On top of having an outstanding competition career, Professor Frisco has also
been coaching and running the kids program at Gracie Barra El Paso for over ten years, coaching multiple International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World and Pan Am champions.
Career Highlights:
Perla Wilkins
Program Director
As the Program Director for Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I’m passionate about helping students grow both on and off the mats. Jiu-Jitsu has had a profound impact on my life—building confidence, improving my fitness, and giving me practical skills in self-defense. I’m committed to a supportive, structured training environment where students of all ages and backgrounds can thrive.
Professor Jonathan Singer
Black Belt
Coach Diana
Blue Belt
Coach Diana Gutierrez began her martial arts journey at just eight years old through Judo, developing a lifelong passion for discipline, competition, and personal growth. She later transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where she now coaches with energy, precision, and a strong connection to her students at Gracie Barra.
Diana is known for creating a motivating and empowering environment—especially for women and youth—helping students build confidence on and off the mats. She also teaches in Ciudad Juárez at her family academy, Evolution Defensa Personal, and is currently pursuing a degree in Accounting at the University of Texas at El Paso.
