BJJ black belt Dennis Asche is ProMMAnow.com readers' connection to Rio.

This blog is your portal to the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro! Take advantage of my experience as a foreigner with many years in Brazil.

I’m an American, 34 years old, raised on the West Coast of USA. I’ve spent more than 25 years of my life involved in various forms of martial arts. For a time I was a professional athlete, which led me to the country of Brazil.

I’m also a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (earned here in Rio under the respected Roberto Correa de Lima). I’ve been a resident of Rio de Janeiro for nearly a decade, so allow me to offer you an insight to what this city is like and what is happening here right now.

Rio de Janeiro is beautiful and can be the place of your dreams – if you know where to go and how to make things happen. Common stereotypes persist, and many foreigners still think of Rio as being a dangerous place.

The truth is that Rio de Janeiro has the same problems of any other major city, but there are countless good times to be had, idyllic places to be and amazing experiences to enjoy. I’ve forged some great memories that will be with me for the rest of my life.

This blog will provide you with an insight into Rio that comes only with years of time on the ground, but I can recommend another great resource. The Real Rio Show is a web series that lifts the lid on life in Rio as a ‘gringo’. The Real Rio Show was created as proof of how amazing Rio can be.

I spent years helping foreigners in Rio, finding them accommodation and hooking them up with everything from hang gliding flights to jiujitsu training and more. I came to Rio de Janeiro by following my dreams.

Many people share my dreams of coming here, and it is my goal to help them get off their asses and come here.

I want to help them experience a little of this for themselves! Watching the Real Rio Show will give viewers an idea of what it is like to walk the streets, see the sights and witness the training inside some of the most respected jiujitsu academies in the world.

Make sure to check out this blog for regular updates from Rio where I look forward to showing you what’s possible in this amazing city!

In the meantime, have a look at some past episodes of the Real Rio Show for a real-life look at life in Brazil: http://www.youtube.com/realrioshow.

2 thoughts on “Connection Rio: Introduction blog from Dennis Asche in Brazil”
  1. Great introduction and as a current member of the connection rio team I would like to say thanks for all the help. Good training and good times is to be had in rio!

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