In Kitchener / Waterloo Alliance is represented by Dragan Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with the “Mad Scientist” of grappling, head instructor, Dragan Konjevic, and assistant instructor, Eric Yu. Our headquarters is in Waterloo and is a great environment in which to learn and have fun - from the beginner to the advanced grappler. Dragan himself is one of the most selfless and dedicated coaches you could possibly find.

For the beginner: Try a free trial class! First one’s free, and then you become addicted. We train in the gi, or “kimono”, which is the traditional uniform very similar to a judogi, and we also train no-gi, wearing shorts, t-shirts, or rashguards (see: Schedule). There are varying levels of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gis. A cheaper gi is fine, but the rigors of day to day grappling can wear out or even rip the thinner variety. Ask and we can find a gi that’s perfect for you. Shower facilities are available. Ensure your finger and toenails are trimmed. Every class is tailor made for any experience level, or fitness level, separated into groups. Come ready to learn and have fun!

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THE GYM

We train at The Krav Maga Training Centre, located on the corner of Northfield Drive and Bridge Street in the Eastbridge section of Waterloo. The school is over 6000 square feet with three classrooms containing a special martial arts padded floor that is a pleasure to work out on. Our adult classrooms are well equipped with Krav Maga brand top-of-the-line training equipment. Adult change rooms have showers and dress areas so that you can leave after your class ready to go back to work or out to dinner. We have a lobby with seating, cable TV, a vending machine with drinks and snacks and a full equipment and apparel store for your convenience.

DRAGAN BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
283 Northfield Drive East (map)
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Tel 519-590-7276
Email eric@alliancebjj.ca

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SCHEDULE

For information about special events, seminars, or holidays, please visit our forums. Beginners or anybody interested in training with us should plan to arrive about 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

MONDAY

7pm—8:30pm Gi Open (Eric)

TUESDAY

7pm—8:30pm No Gi Open (Dragan)

WEDNESDAY

7pm—8:30pm Gi Open (Dragan)

THURSDAY

7pm—8:30pm Gi Open (Eric)

FRIDAY

7pm—8:30pm Gi Open (Dragan)

SATURDAY

Noon—1:30pm No Gi Open (Eric)

Notes:

* Advanced Class = Three or more stripes.

* Beginner & Open = All members.

* Private lessons are available outside of class time. Please enquire.

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MEMBERSHIP

Membership fees must be paid in advance and are non-refundable.

Memberships are non-transferrable between clubs.

FEES - KITCHENER

1 Month Unlimited = $100/Month

3 Months Unlimited = $90/Month

6 Months Unlimited = $80/Month

1 class — $15

Trial class — Free

Private lessons are $60/hour or $50/hour if you buy 3 or more in one month

* Note: Cost of private lessons with Drag is the rate for Alliance Members.

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DRAGAN KONJEVIC

Head Instructor — Kitchener / Waterloo

Dragan hated Royce Gracie. No, really… he hated him with a passion. But I’ll get to that.

Dragan Konjevic grew up in Croatia on a steady diet of licorice and cheesy kung fu movies. There was a time when he believed kicking to be the only thing you needed to become a martial artist, aka “badass”. So he practiced karate, kung fu and tae kwon do, obsessively working on his kicks, developing his flexibility to the point where he could kick a pear off the top of a pony’s head (See: photo inset). Dragan competed in full contact karate and was the bee’s knees of kicking. All his friends urged him, “go fight a boxer. You can kick his head right off.” Dragan said, “Okay,” positive he would do just that. He was subsequently knocked out in competition.

His dreams were shattered. Punching was the best. He needed to practice boxing. Boxers are the best. Years passed.

Along came the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993, where fighters of various disciplines faced off to prove their arts superiority. Along came Royce Gracie, grappling tough guys to the floor and making them quit. Dragan hated Royce Gracie. “Why doesn’t he stand up and fight like a man?” he would complain. “He fights like a girl.” Time and time again the Brazilian submitted his opponents with minimal violence, thus shattering Dragan’s dreams a second time.

Flash forward to 2008. Dragan is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt under Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti, having long since moved to Canada and settling in the city of Waterloo. Training any grappling art he could pursue including judo, sambo, and jiu-jitsu, he has become the first to establish a permanent BJJ school in the region. He had what born again BJJer’s refer to as “a moment of clarity” (these usually happened circa 1993. Weird, eh?). He no longer believes in one-style-to-rule-them-all, but has found in grappling a natural affinity.

Dragan can no longer kick fruits off miniature horses, but applies the same level of dedication to learning, teaching, and coaching the Royce Gracie art which changed his life.

ERIC YU

Assistant Instructor — Kitchener / Waterloo

Once upon a time there lived a little boy with his mother and father and sister and little brother in a tiny hut in the woods. His father was a wicked man, and a judo black belt at that. The boy was beaten and wrestled mercilessly. The worst torture was the “Eagles Claw”, which his father could summon at will. But this only served to toughen him to the rigors of bloody combat.

Years passed, and the boy became a man (allegedly). On his travels he met a wizened old man who took him in and trained him in the ways of an ancient form of jungle warfare, sometimes called “Voodoo Wrestling”. Armed with judo scars and this mysterious new power, the man-boy set out to conquer evil and restore freedom to the good creatures of the forest.

Okay, I give. They’re all lies. Well, not entirely, as there is a truth hidden somewhere in that boy’s life. While writing the profiles of the other instructors I knew I would end up here; writing my own. It’s an awkward thing writing about yourself, especially in the third person, so that’s not the approach I’ll take.

I’ve been practicing BJJ since 2002, though it’s been on my mind since UFC 2. In February 2006 Jacare awarded me the rank of purple belt and two weeks later I went on to win the Arnold’s at that level. I owe most of what I have in this sport to Jeff, Rick, PJ and especially Dragan, who has been my master, Jedi-esque in magnitude. I hold no ill will to my father for putting me in judo as a kid and kicking my ass. Thanks Dad.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu & Grappling titles:

2007 — Joslin’s Canadian Open: Champion, Advanced, < 185 lbs Gi
2007 — Bravado Jiu-Jitsu Open: Champion, Open Weight, Absolute, Gi
2006 — Joslin’s Canadian Open: Champion, Advanced, < 185 lbs Gi and
2006 — Joslin’s Canadian Open: Champion, Advanced, < 185 lbs, No-Gi
2006 — Ontario Grand Prix: Champion, Advanced
2006 — Arnold/Gracie Worlds: Champion, Purple Belt
2006 — Campeonato Dos Lutadores: Champion, Advanced, Gi and
2006 — Campeonato Dos Lutadores: Silver, Advanced, No Gi
2005 — Joslin’s Canadian Open: Champion, Advanced, < 170 lbs, Gi
2005 — North Eastern Grappling Championship: Champion, Blue Belt