The champ and me!!

[basslogic4003]

Here's me and the UFC Welterweight champion of the world, Matt Serra. Him and his brother Nick run the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy I train at (Serra BJJ). Sorry about the ridiculous faces, I was in the middle of saying something stupid and he had a mouth full of protein bar and was trying not to laugh, haha. Enjoy!

[Slithers]

holy crap that is too freakin cool Joe.

did you tell him about his biggest fan over here in Los Angeles?

you guys are a bunch of goofballs! haha

nice!

[basslogic4003]

Originally Posted by Slithers

holy crap that is too freakin cool Joe.
did you tell him about his biggest fan over here in Los Angeles?
you guys are a bunch of goofballs! haha
nice!

Haha, I'll tell him! He really is one of the nicest dudes I've ever met. The atmosphere at his academy is always intense, but there's a feeling of lightness and humor at all times, really makes taking and processing the information so much easier. We were working on catching the ankles of someone standing in your open guard and driving him/her to the mat and taking mount, and the defense for said maneuver today. Good stuff

[Slithers]

Originally Posted by basslogic4003

Haha, I'll tell him! He really is one of the nicest dudes I've ever met. The atmosphere at his academy is always intense, but there's a feeling of lightness and humor at all times, really makes taking and processing the information so much easier. We were working on catching the ankles of someone standing in your open guard and driving him/her to the mat and taking mount, and the defense for said maneuver today. Good stuff

Nice!

I felt like I got a good vibe from him on TUF. (but who knows cuz its so edited). He seemed like a pretty normal, down to earth, cool guy.

That is one of the things about BJJ that differs from most TMAs. there really isnt so much bowing and sensei or master etc. We call our instructors by their first name or nickname yet the Respect is still there. its not so formal that it is uncomfortable. It really does make it easier to learn as you say.

I would be so interested in trying out a class with Matt...or taking a private lesson. Maybe when I am a blue belt I will go out to LI. then shoot over to Renzo's then over to Alliance to get a private with Marcelo. what a dream come true!

So from what I can tell, Renzo's gym is not a Gracie Barra affiliate 'technically' speaking and neither is Matt Serra. Although Renzo is a Gracie Barra Black Belt. His team is Team Renzo, just like you guys are Team Serra. I wonder how your guys' style compares to Gracie Barra Academies.
The lineage is almost the same.

Carlos Gracie deceased (first Gracie to learn JJ) ->Carlinhos Gracie (head of Gracie Barra and IBJJF)->Renzo Gracie -> Matt Serra-> You

Carlos Gracie deceased (first Gracie to learn JJ) ->Carlinhos Gracie (head of Gracie Barra and IBJJF)->Gerson Sanginitto -> Me (realistically my most influential instructor is a Black Belt under Gerson but technically I am under Gerson) *shrug*

I originally thought Gerson was under Renzo, but they are roughly the same age and they were friends in Brazil and grew up together and trained together side by side obviously as members of GB both under Carlinhos.

[basslogic4003]

Originally Posted by Slithers

Nice!
I felt like I got a good vibe from him on TUF. (but who knows cuz its so edited). He seemed like a pretty normal, down to earth, cool guy.
That is one of the things about BJJ that differs from most TMAs. there really isnt so much bowing and sensei or master etc. We call our instructors by their first name or nickname yet the Respect is still there. its not so formal that it is uncomfortable. It really does make it easier to learn as you say.
I would be so interested in trying out a class with Matt...or taking a private lesson. Maybe when I am a blue belt I will go out to LI. then shoot over to Renzo's then over to Alliance to get a private with Marcelo. what a dream come true!
So from what I can tell, Renzo's gym is not a Gracie Barra affiliate 'technically' speaking and neither is Matt Serra. Although Renzo is a Gracie Barra Black Belt. His team is Team Renzo, just like you guys are Team Serra. I wonder how your guys' style compares to Gracie Barra Academies.
The lineage is almost the same.
Carlos Gracie deceased (first Gracie to learn JJ) ->Carlinhos Gracie (head of Gracie Barra and IBJJF)->Renzo Gracie -> Matt Serra-> You
Carlos Gracie deceased (first Gracie to learn JJ) ->Carlinhos Gracie (head of Gracie Barra and IBJJF)->Gerson Sanginitto -> Me (realistically my most influential instructor is a Black Belt under Gerson but technically I am under Gerson) *shrug*
I originally thought Gerson was under Renzo, but they are roughly the same age and they were friends in Brazil and grew up together and trained together side by side obviously as members of GB both under Carlinhos.

For those reasons I really feel like BJJ is the perfect martial art for me at this time in my life. At the risk of sounding like an arrogant , I'm a little too jaded and disaffected to take a normal, "bow to your sensai!" type martial art...If my teacher can't have a sense of humor, then I would sink rather than float!
This is kinda funny Rick....we really are family at this point

Edit-

[Slithers]

That is not to say that other people cannot thrive in a "bow to your sensei" type martial art. ( i know you agree joe).

i am not a BJJ snob or whatever...I just know that BJJ is right for me. and I understand that other things work for other people. so if bowing and sensei, etc is your thing...thats totally cool.

yup we definitely are family hahaha lets race to black belt just kidding

Edit: what is with the ape face in the background?

[Johnny Utah]

That's awesome.

[basslogic4003]

Originally Posted by Slithers

That is not to say that other people cannot thrive in a "bow to your sensei" type martial art. ( i know you agree joe).
i am not a BJJ snob or whatever...I just know that BJJ is right for me. and I understand that other things work for other people. so if bowing and sensei, etc is your thing...thats totally cool.
yup we definitely are family hahaha lets race to black belt just kidding
Edit: what is with the ape face in the background?

I couldn't agree more. A person chooses a martial art and follows and trains that MA because it is what fits them the best. I would NEVER say BJJ is the best MA all around, but it is the best for me at this point in my life

BTW, the ape face is for Nick " The Mad Monkey" Serra... He enters the ring (and the academy ) in a monkey mask, making monkey noises and tossing bananas! It's all fun and games till he triangle's ya....

"There is always a triangle"

Nick Serra