Our Story
The Origem Sapateiro Collective is a group of like-minded, laid back, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, who all want the same, simple thing......... to practice and pass-on the art, with a politic free, safe environment.
- All Academies/Students in the collective will foster an all-inclusive (except guard pullers), safe, and fun training environment. Although some good ol' fashioned "ribbing" is highly encouraged!
- CROSS TRAINING / OPEN MAT ATTENDING / HANGING OUT / ETC. with other Academies will be allowed. We are not your parents, we are here to help you along your journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and shouldn't be "telling you" where you are allowed to train. (See disclaimer about belting and competing mentioned below).
- Every academy is "allowed" to have your own rules and run by you, NOT me! I will give you advice when you ask,i will never "tell you" what you can/can't do. (Except jump/pull guard....... cause, just dont).
- There are no "manditory meetings/calls/seminars/hugs/etc." that you see with other affiliations. I'm here to help you with your BJJ progression, not have you listen to me banter about the "good ol' days", what you need to be doing with your academies and students, etc.
- With the previous, I will need to meet/speak with you and see if you are a good fit for the collective. You DO NOT have to be a black belt with an academy to join, I can work with you no matter what rank and if you own your own gym!
- Anyone within the collective, professors, owners, coaches, and students are able to reach out to me with any questions, or if any activity goes against what is listed above.
**** This is a very open affiliation program that allows crosstraining, however there are two things that need to be considered:
1: Belting can only be done by one instructor (you can't have different ranks, with multiple BJJ instructors). Cross-train as much as you want, but have this in mind when it comes to being belted.
2: IF you compete, you need to represent one school/instructor, unless they are cool with having multiple schools/instructors listed. This may not be an option with IBJJF and other organizations as you must register with the academy that has ranked you.
What is a "Sapateiro"?
The term "sapateiro" originated during the historic 1950s challenge matches between the Gracie Academy and the rival Oswaldo Fadda team. Translating to "cobbler" (shoemaker), it was used as a derogatory insult by Gracie students toward Fadda’s fighters whenever they applied foot locks and leg locks.
Historical Context:
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The "Dirty" Submissions: At the time, the Gracie lineage heavily favored positional dominance and chokes, viewing leg locks as "dirty" or "suburban" techniques (the trade of the poor and working class).
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The Derogatory Slur: Because cobblers work with shoes and feet, the Gracie students used "sapateiro" to mock the Fadda stylists for constantly attacking the feet.
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The Rivalry: Despite the taunts, Fadda's team used these leg locks to dominate the Gracies in a landmark challenge match, winning 19 out of 20 fights.
Today, the legacy of this rivalry remains in BJJ rule sets. Many restrictive leg lock rules and penalties (such as reaping the knee or certain heel hooks) are rumored to stem from the Gracie school's historical disdain for these "cobbler" submissions
The Association Name "Origem Sapateiro" is Portuguese and means: "Shoemaker Origin", and with the explanation above: Original Leglocker.
About Professor Mike "The Honey Badger" DesRosiers
Driven by a lifelong passion for combat sports, Professor Mike DesRosiers has spent over three decades evolving from a small-town martial arts enthusiast into a highly ranked practitioner.
Mike’s early years were shaped by the grit of the 1990s martial arts scene—ranging from traditional Aikido and Taekwondo to backyard Muay Thai smoker matches. In 1998, inspired by the inception of the UFC, he dedicated himself to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
As a competitor, Mike spent years testing his technique across the East Coast circuit, competing in NAGA, Grapplers Quest, and submission-only cage events.
Awarded his black belt by Nicolas Gregoriades in 2015, Mike currently stands as an IBJJF-certified 3rd Degree Black Belt. Beyond the mats, he utilizes his decades of experience to serve as an appointed MMA Advisor for the Vermont State Office of Professional Regulation and as a certified tactical instructor specializing in Use of Force, restraint, and active shooter response.
Ranks, records, and certifications held by Professor DesRosiers:
- 3rd Degree Black Belt (IBJJF certified)
- 1st Degree Japanese JuJitsu Black Belt
- 5th Kyu Aikido
- Muay Thai Kickboxing training
- Wrestling
- Safariland Use of Force/Tactical Handcuffing Instructor
- ALICE trainer
- State of Vermont Office of Professional Regulation MMA advisor
- 1-0 Amateur MMA record
- 11-4 Cage Grappling Record
- Former BJJ GI Champion for DonnyBrooke Fight Promotions (VT)
Professor DesRosiers currently teaches at the United Fighting Arts Institute in South Burlington, Vermont, and has produced over 14 BJJ Black belts. Helped train and corner numerous local MMA Champions in various weight classes. Has also helped promote MMA, Muay Thai, and Grappling events on the East Coast.
With Carlson Gracie Sr.
Making the walk to the cage for XCP
NAGA New Jersey Absolute Division
Winning the Donnybrook openweight Gi Championship
TESTIMONIALS
When I started training with Mike back in late 2016 or early 2017... I really can't rmemeber exactly... I'd already been training for almost ten years. The funny part is, I still wasn't ranked because of politics, affiliation fees, and frankly, a slight lack of business acumen. I honestly wish I'd found him sooner.
Training with Mike completely changed the way I look at BJJ. My game today is substantially so much better than it was before - I don't think it can really be quantified (think toddler to Gladiator). More importantly, I stopped chasing techniques and started beginning to understand the art.
One of the things I appreciate most about Mike is that he doesn't care about politics, affiliations, or the nonsense that too often surrounds Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He calls things the way he sees them, whether people like it or not. It's refreshing. He's a huge believer in cross-training and learning from anyone who's good, regardless of what patch is on their gi or what belt is around their waist. That mindset has made me a much better practitioner and, honestly, a better instructor.
Mike isn't interested in creating followers. He's interested in creating people who can think. He'll challenge your assumptions, make you question things you've always accepted, and back it all up with experience and logic. Joining Mike's team was one of the best decisions I've made in my entire jiu-jitsu journey.
If your goal is to actually get better instead of just collecting belts, stripes, or excuses, I can't recommend training with him and his affiliates enough.
Kyle Mills - Black Belt - Owner of 607 Grappling
I first met Mike D. in 2012 when I started training with an MMA team at a club in southern Vermont. Mike was part of a large team from a gym in northern Vermont. Our teams were often matched up against each other, but we’d always end up hanging out together after the fights.
A couple of years later, that club fell apart, and I decided to open my own gym. By 2018, after six years of training Jiu Jitsu under different instructors while trying to build my gym and team, I reached out to Mike about affiliating with him. He graciously welcomed me as one of his affiliates. At the time, I was a brand-new gym owner, still trying to build a team. I lived three hours away and was still a white belt, but none of that mattered to Mike. He was willing to make the drive to teach seminars, guest coach classes, and mentor me whenever I needed guidance.
Mike has awarded me every belt I’ve earned: my blue belt in October 2018, my purple belt in March 2019, and my brown belt in July 2025. More importantly, he’s been a constant source of support throughout my journey. After closing my first gym and moving north in 2021, I opened Summit Path Jiu Jitsu in May 2026. Once again, Mike has been nothing but supportive and encouraging every step of the way.
I’m honored to call him my coach, professor, and friend. Mike is one of the fairest and most honest people I know. He bases his decisions on facts, not hearsay or ego. Those are qualities that are becoming harder and harder to find. Having Summit Path Jiu Jitsu part of the Origem Sapateiro Collective is an honor, and I’m excited for what the future holds. I look forward to continuing this journey under Mike’s leadership for many years to come.
Bobby Gibbs - Brown Belt - Owner of Summit Jiu-Jitsu
