How does a world class black belt train in the run-up to a major jiu-jitsu tournament? For Checkmat's Jackson Sousa, who lives in London, it meant a trip back to his hometown to train at the gym he grew up in. 

Photographer Michael Sears visited the Fightzone academy in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro to take a look. 

Watch Jackson compete at the 2018 IBJJF European Championships on 20-21 January.