Who We Are
The Jiu-Jitsu Lab Story
The Jiu-Jitsu Lab was built on a single belief: that dedicated, focused instruction beats generalist training every time. We don't offer kickboxing, yoga, or fitness classes. We do one thing — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — and we do it at the highest level.
Located at 420 Weber St N in Waterloo, ON, we serve beginners, recreational grapplers, students, parents, and competitors. Whatever your goal on the mat, we have the coaching staff to get you there.
Our Roots
Where It All Started
1998
Dragan Alliance — The Beginning
Dragan Konjevic opened his doors in 1998, becoming the first person to bring Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the Kitchener-Waterloo region and earning his black belt — the first in the area. Under the banner of Dragan Alliance, he spent decades building a BJJ community from scratch in KW, at a time when almost no one in the region had heard of the sport.
The Lineage
Promoted by a Legend
Dragan is an Alliance black belt promoted by Romero "Jacaré" Cavalcanti — one of the most respected figures in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and founder of Alliance, one of the sport's most decorated teams. That lineage runs directly through everything we teach at The Jiu-Jitsu Lab.
The Legacy
A Region Built on His Foundation
Over 25 years, Dragan's students have gone on to win major titles at the national and international level and have opened multiple gyms across the KW region. Nearly every black belt in the area today traces their roots back to him — including our own coaches Dave Knowles, Brandon Twaddle, and Roger Morais.
Today
The Lab Lives On
The idea of "The Lab" was Dragan's concept — a dedicated space where BJJ was the only focus. That vision is what The Jiu-Jitsu Lab was built on. He still comes in to teach semi-regularly, and his presence is a reminder of where all of this came from.
When you train here, you're not just joining a gym. You're joining 25+ years of lineage.
Coaching Staff
Brandon Twaddle
Brown Belt · Head Coach
🏆 IBJJF No-Gi World Silver Medalist
Brandon leads The Jiu-Jitsu Lab's day-to-day operations and is the driving force behind our coaching culture. A silver medalist at the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships, he brings elite competition experience and a deep passion for developing students at every level.
Dave Knowles
Black Belt · Competition Coach
🏆 IBJJF World Champion
Dave brings world-championship experience to The Jiu-Jitsu Lab's competition program. As a IBJJF World Champion, his knowledge of high-level competition is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to compete.
Roger Morais
Black Belt · Kids Coach
🏆 Training since 2011 — 15+ years experience
Roger heads our Kids BJJ program and has spent over 15 years on the mats. His patient, structured approach makes him ideal for developing young athletes. He instills discipline, confidence, and a love for the art in every student.
Stephen DesChamp
Brown Belt · Morning Classes Instructor
🏆 IBJJF World Competitor
Stephen runs our early morning classes and has competed at the IBJJF World Championships. His technical game and commitment to the fundamentals make him an outstanding instructor for students who want to build a strong foundation.
The Gym
Life on the Mat
