As a first generation Mexican American growing up in Southern California, Jose Gutierrez fell in love with athletics, the outdoors, and the booming cultural scene that was California. As a youth, he would spend countless hours on the seemingly endless shoreline of Huntington Beach. Skateboarding was an early focus in his life. The artistic expression of skating allowed for him to practice a craft and develop an innovative style unique to him; this would later translate into jiu-jitsu. The perseverance it takes to land a trick is the same relentlessness it takes to execute a technique.

In 2007, he joined a local mma gym, but he was predominantly a striker utilizing Muay Thai skills. However, once he put the gi on, he completely devoted his time to improving and developing his jiu-jitsu. Upon joining All-American Jiu-Jitsu he fell in love with the gentle art and gave up mma entirely. After achieving his brown belt, he sought further guidance and looked towards his idol; Leo Vieira and Team Checkmat.

He joined the closest Checkmat affiliate, Conde Koma in 2012. In 2014, he followed his instructor Robson “Robynho” Rodrigues as he began the Checkmat Buena Park lineage. In 2015, Jose became Robynho’s second student to be promoted to black belt. In 2016, Jose was fortunate enough to spend an entire year under the tutelage of Master Leo Vieira at Checkmat Headquarters. A drastic difference from the days when he used to purchase Leo’s Extreme Jiu-Jitsu tapes. This pivotal year was groundbreaking. On a daily basis he trained alongside certified legends, yet no one was bigger than the Checkmat team itself. Leo Vieira, similar to a shepard, humbly guides Checkmat. Cultivating a culture and establishing a pedigree of champions.

In 2017, he would return to Checkmat Buena Park with his beloved Hooligans, where he would win multiple competitions and super fights.

During his purple belt years it became a realization that he wanted to open a gym. A decade later he searched nation wide for the ideal spot. He found a beautiful beach reminiscent of his childhood, and the opportunity for an affordable home. He packed his life and traveled to Brownsville, to establish what would be his forever home and Checkmat BTX. He hopes to introduce the level, intensity, and culture of California’s jiu-jitsu scene to Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley.