USA
Black belt
The Academy · Heraklion, Crete
A room full of
visitors,
by design.
Morto BJJ is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in the center of Heraklion, on the island of Crete. Head coach Manolis Zouganelis, second degree black belt under Gabriel Marangoni, has made it a destination for pro grapplers -including UFC & PFL competitors- from around the world.
Discipline
BJJ · Grappling · Wrestling
Cert.
IBJJF · JiuJitsuX
Lineage
under G. Marangoni
Teaching
15+ yrs
Comps
IBJJF · UAE · ADCC
Summer Camp
@bjj_camp_crete
Titou Georgiadou 28 · 713 06
The Story
Our academy
Morto Jiu-Jitsu is a gym run by Manolis Zouganelis — a black belt under Gabriel Marangoni, with over fifteen years of teaching behind him. The room sits in the center of Heraklion, on the island of Crete.
From the beginning, the academy was built to be a global destination. BJJ enthusiasts of every level, from every continent, pass through on a regular basis. Some stay an hour. Some come back every summer.
High-level competitors from Greece and the rest of Europe visit to cross-train. Beginners get the same attention black belts do. Visitors are introduced, not ignored. The technique of the week gets shown until everyone has it.
We are, before anything else, a school. That commitment hasn't changed since the first class.
Prof. Manolis Zouganelis
The coach
Professor
Manolis Zouganelis.
Manolis “Zou” Zouganelis is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, international coach known for his technical, modern approach to competitor development. His instructionals are featured on Jiu Jitsu X, one of the world’s leading platforms for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu education. Through seminars across Europe, online coaching high level competitors , and premium instructionals featured on his Online Academy, he has helped athletes elevate their performance and develop higher skills.
Credentials
01
Black Belt
Under Marangoni.
02
JiuJitsuX Instructor
Recognised technical instructor.
03
Online coach · top European competitors
Includes match analysis and game design.
04
Seminars across Europe
Hosted by top gyms with high-caliber black belts.
05
Founder · @bjj_camp_crete
Annual summer camp on the island.
MortoBJJ Worldwide
Grapplers from everywhere,
on our mat.
High-level competitors from across Europe — and a world champion or two — drop in regularly to cross-train.
Featured visitor · Brazil
Diego Pato
World Champion, Ranked #1 Gi & No-Gi
Germany
Black belts
Serbia / Slovenia
Blue & Brown belts
Visiting competitors from Brazil, the United States, Germany, Serbia, Slovenia — and many other countries beyond.
Morto Competes
Champions, at home
and across Europe.
National medals and notable wins at IBJJF, UAE and ADCC trials — including dominant performances in submission-only against higher belts.
2023
Orestis
Grappling Ind.
Gold · submission-only
2023
Iro
Grappling Ind.
Podium · submission-only
2024
London Open
IBJJF · Gi
National podium
2024
London Open
IBJJF · No-Gi
National podium
2023
Alex
Grappling Ind.
Gold · submission-only
How to visit
What to expect on day one.
01
Bring a clean gi or rashguard
Loaners available if you forget. No-Gi: rashguard + shorts without zippers or pockets.
02
Cut your nails
Hands and feet. We can lend clippers — we would rather not.
03
Shoes off the mat
Sandals when you step off. Bare feet only on the tatami.
04
Tap early
Tap means stop. You learn nothing from injury.
05
Visitors welcome
Email ahead or just walk in 15 minutes before class. First session is free.
Find us
Two minutes from the main bus station.
Address
Titou Georgiadou 28
Iraklio 713 06, Greece
Iraklio 713 06, Greece
Contact
Hours
Mon–Fri: 11:30–13:30 & 18:00–22:00
Sat: 11:00–13:00
Sat: 11:00–13:00
35.3319° N · 25.1388° E
Last thing
Your first class is free.
Show up 15 minutes early in something you can sweat in. The mat is on Titou Georgiadou 28 — two minutes from the main bus station.