Paul Ciatto is a BJJ black belt from Patterson, NY. He began training the gentle art aged 29 and received his black belt at age 43 under Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa. With his 50th birthday around the corner, he should have be a second-degree black belt by then.
Before BJJ, Ciatto had previous grappling experience and enjoyed sports – he says “I was a wrestler. A pretty good one. But I stuck with football. I was recruited to play in college. But I never maximized my potential in wrestling. I was naturally better at it. It is probably my only regret in life athletically. So my first professor John Carlo got me into grappling. I honestly was looking to fill the void of wrestling and I was trying to maximize my potential through BJJ. BJJ did just that and so much more for me”.
Ciatto also likes to focus on the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu and states “I’m old school so I prefer a lot of closed guard and half guard positions. You just don’t fix something that isn’t broken”. This can also be seen with his preferred sweeps which he adds, “Again, I’m very old school so I prefer scissor sweeps, deep half guard sweeps, flower sweeps, and butterfly sweeps”. His old school style can be seen with his passing game which focuses on standing as well as pressure passing by using the stack pass. This coupled with his years of knowledge and wrestling experience makes him a very grinding and tough opponent in the gym. Interestingly his favourite submission is the North South choke which is somewhat of a rarity these days as well.
Whilst still training under Formiga Barbosa, Ciatto also has his own academy which is Nitro BJJ with co-owner Filipe Costa. He says, “We are located in Brewster, NY You can check us out on Facebook and Instagram as well as our website, www.nitrobjj.com“.
Ciatto has also been a regular competitor down the years and fights at the super heavyweight category. His best achievements include winning the IBJJF BJJ PRO champion twice, he says “I was a black belt 3 months and fought the living legend, ADCC champ and multiple IBJJF world champ Roberto Traven at the Chicago Open. I lost on a refs decision. It was an honor to fight him. It gave me validation and most importantly it started a friendship with Master Traven. I love that guy. Nothing but respect and admiration for him”.
Even approaching age 50, Ciatto still loves to compete and claims “I’ve always been active competitively at every rank. I’m just looking forward to get back out there with this pandemic nonsense holding up the world. I’m a competitor by nature. I’m looking to make some noise whenever I can. BJJ gives you back more than you will ever give to it. But if you commit to it, it will change your life in the most positive way”. Based on these statements he is very much a true representative of the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle.
However, with a life of sports and martial arts under his belt, Ciatto has also had a few injuries and lists his shoulders and elbows as his biggest injuries due to years of training. In some ways, this mirrors his gritty style – “My style is a very physical style. I’m a grinder and use my physical and athletic attributes always. And my conditioning is never in question. I’m influenced most by my teammates and training partners. Firstly Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa, Filipe Costa, Mike Palladino, Jack Walker, Diogo “Moreno” Araujo, Vlad Koulikov, these are the men who make me in BJJ.”
Ciatto is also a doctor of Chiropractic and believes this has helped his longevity in BJJ, adding “I’m a Doctor of Chiropractic. It has absolutely helped me. The reason I chose this discipline was because they are the only Drs who truly helped me as an athlete when I was hurt or injured. It was a natural progression for me. The proof was in the pudding!”
He also sees similarities between BJJ and his Chiropractic career stating “They both pose their individual and separate challenges. You have to stay at the top of your game in all aspects. In the end it’s about how you treat and deal with people. You have to know how to react and apply if they are your patients, students, members etc. And sometimes they become each of those at different times and or both at the same time. These are the real challenges. I try to be the best version of myself for all at all times. I have a professional, ethical and personal responsibility to do so“
Asked why most Doctors don’t care for their bodies as much as he does, he also adds “The answer is simple. They don’t practice what they preach. They don’t apply what they’ve learned. And to be honest they’re lazy! Health and fitness is a lifestyle. It’s not a chore. If you embrace it as a chore that’s when you fail. I don’t know how to be any other way. And to be frank I don’t want to be any other way. I’m an example to my patients, students, members and my family. You either walk the walk and talk the talk. Because titles no matter when given to you mean nothing if you’re not living it daily. My mantra has always been the prime of my life is every day. I need to be the best every day, stay at the top of the food chain to help, mentor and educate everyone around me. I want to show that pushing 50 years old and beyond its up to you and it can happen. The choice is yours. Do you choose greatness? or mediocrity? Mediocrity isn’t in my DNA”
With this in mind, it’s clear that Paul Ciatto is truly dedicated to BJJ and the philosophies it brings. He may be approaching 50 next year but it’s clear there’s still plenty of gas in the tank where he’s concerned in both BJJ and life in general. His Chiropractic practice website can be found here and is on Instagram here. His gym’s Instagram can also be found here. As seen below, Ciatto is in great shape for a 49 year old.
