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The academy in Tottenham at which Arlans taught was brought to a close by the arrival of Mauricio whose stature
in BJJ and demonstration of physical superiority made closure inevitable.

Historically however the club was important as it formed one of the two streams- Chen's being the other- out of which Mauricio initially developed BJJ in London.

Training with Arlans were among others Asif, Shaun and Dennis Kelly. With Chenzinho and Jude the nucleus of his leading BJJ players in London was established and I suspect that one out of the quartet of Asif,Shaun, Chenzinho and Jude became Mauricio's first blue belt although he may well have awarded the belt to more than one at the same time.

Of course the established order was turned upside down by the arrival of CountComa who established himself as the dominant force when training moved to the Third Space.

As I previouly stated Arlans was a young and highly likeable Brazilian brown belt. I do not know his lineage or indeed his surname but he was not from one of the mainstream BJJ academies.

Given the attraction of a top ranking BJJ instructor to the committed but limited number of students of the day the demise of his school was inevitable.

Paradoxically now that there are more schools and instructors and BJJ is less novel and more widely known his school might have survived if it had been around today.

In any event I saw him once at the Third Space before I think that he dropped out entirely. This was probably due to work and family commitments but I am not sure that he ever felt comfortable after being schooled by Mauricio in front of his own students.

Shaun is Shaun France who appears on the Choke blue belt list. I believe that he trains on and off at RGA.

Lee Johnstone trained with Arlans occasionally.

Brothers Steve and Dean were also regulars. Are they not with Carlson Gracie?

Kris Kistan is I believe still teaching at the Third Space and I have recently been told by a reputable source that he is still a blue belt but apologies in advance if that is wrong.

Chenzinho was threatened with being muzzled for his inability to control his pitbull tendencies and decided to retire with what remainded of his dignity intact.