January 6, 2007
Lots to cover. First of all, I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday season and a happy New Year.
Just to let everone know if you don't already, we have moved to the new location. We are located at 210 Summer Street behind KJ Baron's Liquors in Worcester by Union Station. We are located in the large brick building next to KJ's. Look for the large sign that says "Gabriel Racing". Park in the back. The door is in the front on the left saide. We are on the 3rd floor. Hope to see you soon.
Next, and just as important, we have our first promotion on the team. Jon Karam was awarded his blue belt. John has been tearing it up on the grappling scene. Jon has been holding his own against purple and brown belts and having his way with the blue belts in his path. Just training a little over a year now, look for Jon to make a name for himself in the coming future. Congrats Jon!!!!!
December 24, 2007
For the truely hard core we will be having class today from 12-2pm. There are NO classes tomorrow, New Year's Eve, or New Year's Day. All other days will follow the regular schedule.
GRAND OPENING SUNDAY JANUARY 14th! Its finally here guys!!! So classes will be held at our current location til then. Have a fun and safe holiday season til then if we don't see you.
December 16th, 2007
THERE WILL BE NO CLASS TODAY DO TO THE BAD TRAVEL CONDITIONS. Regular class times next week.
THERE WILL BE A DANNY IVES SEMINAR TUESDAY, 12/18/07
The cost is $30- If you were at the last one you know he knows a ton of stuff and always has great techniques to cover. See you all Tuesday.
December 15th, 2007
So we just returned home from the final AGC tournament of the year. SBJJ fielded a small team of just nine competitors; however, they all came with their games faces as usual. First we have head instructor Dan Simmler and head wrestling instructor Jay Bak. Dan had a good day taking 3rd place in the Pro Gi Absolute. In addition, he came out with his "A" game for the Pro No-Gi Division submitting his way to the No-Gi Absolute Title with an impressive win over a brown belt World Champion and a choking a BJJ Black belt unconscious in the final. With the win Dan clinched the AGC Points Title and won Grappler of the Year.
This was Jay's first competition. For those of you who don't know Jay is a very accomplished wrestler. Jay wrested D-1 at St. John's High School winning two State Championships and had an impressive career wrestling D-1 at Boston University.
Jay has only been training BJJ for 3 months or so and he jumped right into the Pro No-Gi Absolute. Jay's first match was against Nova Unao Black Belt and previous AGC Absolute Champion Renato Tavares. Jay had an amazing battle and missed the win by one advantage, although there was a very a controversial matter where Jay should have received takedown points but did not. More than once I heard comments on Jay's speed on his attacks.
He fought a much bigger opponent for the third place match who was able to secure a last minute submission attempt allowing him to get the go ahead points for the victory. Mark my words, in one year time, there won't be anyone in New England that will be able to hang with this kid. Great first showing for Jay Bak!
Let’s go with our teen and light weight fighters. When we first opened the academy we had nothing but heavy weights. Now, one short year later, we have a team of light weights that are going to own the weight class in the coming years if not months. Let’s look at a few of them. First we have Kevin Palmeri and Jay Small taking home the gold in the teen gi competition. This was Kevin's first competition and Jay's second. Both looked calm and seasoned on their way to closing out the bracket and splitting the championship for the team. Looking at both compete, you would have thought they are seasoned grapplers. Both have been training for less than six months. Great job guys!
Clinching the Teen Points Championship was Anthony Verdini. Anthony had a great showing in gi and no-gi taking home gold and a bronze showing why he is one of the best teenage competitors in New England. Anthony had one of the nicest take downs of the tournament with a power double securing his semifinal win. Another great showing by Anthony.
Next we have new comer Wildson Olivera showing he is going to be a strong addition to the SBJJ/Serra Team. Wildson not only won the teen 175 and under gi, but he also won the teen under 175 no-gi. He is a super nice kid with lots of talent. Look for him to make a big name for himself in the future.
Our adult competitors also had a great day. First we have Mike "Ducati" coming up huge with a no-gi gold medal. Mike had a monster come from behind victory in the final where he rallied for 8 points in the final seconds to secure the championship. Mike has been training hard and it has showed in his game tremendously.
We have team veterans John Saari and Justin Mosher battling hard in their respective divisions. Justin had a good day medaling in the gi division after just having competed Wednesday as well where he had a very impressive showing taking down all his opponents and battling against much stronger and seasoned opponents. At just 17 look for big things to come from this player, good job Justin! John battled through in two very tough divisions tapping his first opponent in gi and having a tough 3rd place match coming up just short of the medal. John is working hard training almost every day and he has a very solid game. A little fine tuning and more competition experience, and John is going to be unstoppable!
And last but not least we have John Karam winning the Best Dressed Spectator Award.(PICTURES OF THE COMPETITION COMING SOON!)
October 15, 2007
Clark Gracie Seminar
Hosted by Simmler BJJ
Sunday October 28th
COST: $45 Pre-Register (Received by October 20th) $50 at the door/day of.
Clark Gracie Biography
Clark Gracie was born in California into the “World renowned Gracie Family” Currently a Brown Belt, Clark has lived both in the San Francisco bay area and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and trained under his father, Carley Gracie (8th degree Red-and-Black Belt and Professional National Champion from 1969-1972). Clark's is the grandson of Carlos Gracie, creator of the art known today as “Gracie or Brazillian Jiu Jitsu.”
From childhood, Clark was exposed to many relatives -- his father, uncles, and cousins -- from whom he received much inspiration, encouragement, and jiu-jitsu training, which gave Clark the desire to be the Champion he is today. Clark's recent competition record includes:
• 1st Place Champion in the San Diego Open in 2005
• two-time U.S. National Champion for 2005 and 2006
• Pan American Medalist in April 2006
• 1st Place in the Arizona State Grappling Challenge (October 14 2006)
• 1st Place in the California Classic International Brazillian Jiu Jitsu Grappling Tournament (November 4th 2006)
“Hope to see everyone there. See you on the mats!”
October 10, 2007
So there is a lot to talk about. Matt is getting ready for his title fight against Matt Hughes, Dan and "Tattoo" John were in Long Island Friday, and they said Matt was looking good and ready to rock.
The Team is back from Grappler's Quest North American Championships. The Serra Team fielded a strong crew coming out strong with 10 senior belts. Dan came for war as did the rest of the Serra crew winning both the advanced no-gi and brown belt gi division, submitting 5 of his seven opponents of the day. A great day in all from the whole Serra and Renzo Gracie Team. Congrats to all that fought in New Jersey this weekend.
Next, as the boards go down and the fresh paint goes up, the New Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu New England facility is almost ready. For those of you who haven't been keeping up with the Team, we are getting ready for the grand opening our new 6000 sq' facility in Worcester, Ma. The site has yet to be released, but rest assured, it is going to be beautiful. Once complete the facility will be the largest of its kind in Massachusetts and be home to the top instruction for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, submission grappling, judo, MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing in Central Mass!!! Best of all, it’s only 10 minutes from our current location.
Last but not least, the KidJitsu Program will be starting soon. To allow for enrolling students finishing up their other extracurricular sport activities, we have decided to start the program November 1st. That is all the news for now, until next time be safe and we'll see you on the mats!
October 5, 2007
There will be NO CLASSES Friday October 5th and Saturday October 6th because of the Grappler's Guest Tournament in New Jersey. Regular class time Sunday for Open Mat. See everyone on the mats Sunday!
September 24, 2007
Big Congratulations goes out to the SBJJ competitors who made their way to Sudbury Mass this weekend for the AGC Jiu-jitsu/Grappling Championships. For many, this was their first competition. Unfazed and undeterred, every SBJJ student stepped on the mat ready for business. With a number of students placing in their respective divisions and everyone bringing their game faces, a few of the SBJJ competitors went above and beyond on their first showing.
Before we start, special thanks goes out to Lloyd Irvin brown belt Danny Ives for giving a great seminar Sunday after the event. Danny is a top brown belt and the students in attendance had nothing but great feedback about the seminar. Thanks again Dan!
So back to the tournament. First, we have John Karam with a fantastic showing in his first competition since his return from his trip throughout Europe. John had a strong showing in the intermediate and advanced no-gi securing a medaling both divisions. His best showing of the day however, came when he once again entered the middle weight blue belt division securing his second blue belt title. What is even more impressive is John is technically still a beginner training just over a year now. John secured his victory over a very game four striped blue belt from Renzo Gracie NH. Congratulations again John!
Anthony Verdini had a fast first match proving to be too much for his opponent to handle and secured a silver medal in the no-gi competition losing a close finals battle to a tough opponent.
Next we had an “A” game showing from Justin Mosher with a one sided final completely dominating his opponent. Not only was it only his second competition, but his win came over a larger opponent. Just was out weighted by almost 20 lbs. He has been training very hard lately and his game is progressing nicely.
Next we have a dynamic duo with Mike Wynne and Anthony Philipo. They both have been training less than six months and stepped up into the intermediate division because they had teammates in their regular divisions. Mike and Anthony stepped up, securing a gold and bronze medal respectively. Mike had a great finals match with an 11-0 win over an opponent one tournament win from his purple belt. Looks like he’s going to have to wait! Anthony and Mike would later go on to both take gold medals in the white belt gi division sharing first place after closing out the bracket. Amazing work guys! Way to represent.
Last and not lease we had Jeremiah Monge, Eric Guzman, Alex O’Brien and Jim Stewart. This was Eric, Alex and Jim’s first event and Jeremiah’s first competition since his return from his Jiu-Jitsu training camp in Florida with ATT. Jeremiah showed tremendous heart in both the gi and no-gi divisions taking a bronze medal in no-gi and putting up an amazing fight in the gi before having to withdraw due to injury in the bronze medal match. Great job brother!
Alex , Jim and Eric stepped up to the plate big time looking like seasoned veterans on the mat staying calm cool and collect securing victories and establishing themselves as ones to keep your eyes on in future events. All-in-all SBJJ fielded a team of ten athletes all showing impressive ability and game ready attitudes against much more experienced opponents. We couldn’t be happier for the results! Great Job guys!!
September 12, 2007
Super Seminar!!!
Sunday, September 23rd at SBJJ!
Ryan "Ryangle" Hall
-Lloyd Irvin Purple Belt
-Multiple time NAGA and GQ Champ
-Naga Super Fight Absolute Champion
&
Danny "Hell yeah I salsa" Ives
-Lloyd Irvin Brown Belt
-2002 Pan-Am Gold Medalist
-15X NAGA Champion
Lloyd Irvin super stars Danny Ives and Ryan Hall will be having a seminar at SBJJ Sunday September 23rd, the day after the AGC event. Cost is $25 for Serra/SBJJ students and $35 for non SBJJ students. Space is limited to 30 students. Seminar will cover a number or ways to set up and hit the triangle from Ryan and Danny Ives is a mast of the "X" Guard and has one of the best guard games in the country. Please call or email us to reserve your spot. They will fill up.
September 11, 2007
So it has been a crazy and wild few months. Everyone has returned from their different travels, and the academy is back in full swing. We are in the middle of our construction of our 6000 SQ' facility preparing on opening the doors October 15th and having our GRAND OPENING celebration Sunday November 4th!!!
We are gearing up for a great few months of competition. Saturday the 22nd, SBJJ students will be competing in the AGC Tournament in Sudbury, Ma. The academy will field the strongest team it ever has to date with over 15 competitors from the SBJJ/Serra MA school and six tough competitors from our main academy in Long Island NY. No one is safe and the Team Title is as good as ours. The AGC event is a great tournament and will give the team a great warm-up for the Grappler's Quest event in NJ in October. Check back soon for results and pictures from these and other events!
September 5, 2007
Lots of great news. First, let’s start by giving huge congratulations to John "Red Gig" Karam for his second round TKO victory in his first ever Thai kickboxing fight. John was poised and ready for war, breaking his opponent down before ending the fight with a devastating knee to the midsection forcing his opponent to withdraw. John always represents the team to his fullest. Congratulations again!
Growing fast, we have our new KidJitsu program underway! Scheduled to open and get started October 15th, slots are filling up fast with only eight more spaces available. Class sizes are being kept small to ensure lots of one-on-one attention and a safe fun environment for every student.
EVENT |
DATE |
LOCATION |
BJJ/JUDO |
INFO |
Black Fly BJJ Tournament |
7/21/07 |
Maine |
BJJ |
|
NAGA Florida |
7/21/07 |
Miami,FL |
BJJ |
|
AGC New England Open |
7/28/07 |
Sudbury,MA |
BJJ |
|
NAGA Battle at the Beach 8 |
8/4/07 |
Wildwood,NJ |
BJJ |
|
Reality Fighting NJ |
8/4/07 |
Wildwood,NJ |
MMA/NHB |
|
International German Training Camp |
8/11/07 |
Braunschweig, Germany |
JUDO |
|
Pedro's Judo Training Camp |
8/20/07 |
Wakefield,MA |
JUDO |
|
CBJJ Mundials/BJJ World Championships |
8/27/07 |
Carson,CA |
BJJ |
July 10, 2007
The Braunschweig, Germany Trip is getting closer. Please plan accordingly as there is no late sign up and the trip must be paid in full and accounts and SBJJ student cards must be stamped and punched before any tickets and travel info will be released. Information on the trip can be found at www.usajudo.org under the calendar and events section.
July 9, 2007
Got a email from our gypsy teammate John "Red Gi" Karem today. For those of you who don't know, John is spending his summer back packing through Europe. He had his last night in London where he was training with Roger Gracie and Co. at the RGA Academy. John seems to be having a good showing so far on his trip telling us he tapped two purple belts and was doing great against all the blue belts there as well. Way to represent John! We look forward to his return as John is a staple player on the Serra/SBJJ Team. (Pictures Coming Soon)
July 3, 2007
**********Classes will be held at and during regular class times for the holiday week. If you are around, we'll see you on the mats, if not, have a safe and fun holiday and we will see you next week.************
June 30, 2007 - Posted by Danny Valle under Academy News & Events
This past Saturday, June 23rd at the Boardwalk Hall-Atlantic City, NJ, Nicky “The Mad Monkey” Serra defeated Mike Varner at Cage Fury in the second round via arm-bar - MAD MONKEY style! Nick secured several take downs through the fight, and in the second round, he mounted Varner and began to rain down heavy blows before swinging for the arm-lock. This fight is an example of how hard and dedicated Nick has prepared. This preparation was evident with his ability to work into the clinch smoothly and take down Varner at will and secure the submission to win the CFFC Welterweight title! Congratulations Nick Serra and thanks to team Serra-Longo for all the support and training to prepare Nick for this fight, now we have 2 title holders!!
June 25, 2007
Big weekend for SBJJ. As you know the team went to the NAGA New England Championships at
First, a big congratulation goes out to Anthony "Boy Wonder" Verdini for his impressive showing and first of what will most likely be many Championship titles. The "Boy Wonder" nickname was coined by Matt "The Terror" Serra himself when he watched Anthony training at the main academy in LI, NY. 
Anthony had a tough division 18 competitors deep but came with his game face. Submitting his first three opponents, he had a crazy come from behind victory in over time to secure the
Next we had
Our head instructor Dan Simmler entered the Pro/Absolute division submitting his first two opponents and winning his third match 15-0 but was forced to withdraw and could not fight in the finals due to a broken nose he sustained in the first three minutes of the match. He split the
Other SBJJ competitors making their way to RI were Anthony's dad Mark Verdini coming in with two strong matches not even a month into training! Mark is a warrior and has been in class for two weeks now! He fought two tough opponents and proved to be a tough competitor. He is going to be a killer, look for him in future shows. 
SBJJ stand out John Karem made his first absolute and advanced appearance ever showing he is a force on the mat and going to be a top competitor in the
June 22, 2007
Tomorrow the Serra BJJ Boston crew along with some tough competitors from the main academies in Long Island will compete in the 2007 NAGA New England Grappling Championships! Wish the team luck! There will be NO class tomorrow (Saturday 6/23/2007) because of the tournament. There will be regular class/open mat Sunday from 11-2pm. For more info or direction for the event go to www.nagafighter.com
June 5, 2007
As you all may already know, UFC Champ Matt Serra will be the coach on the next season of the Ultimate Fighter. He will be away for 6 weeks for the filming of the show. Also, huge congratulations on his recent marriage to Mrs. Ann Serra. It was a great wedding for an even greater couple and we all wish both the best!
April 15, 2007 - Judo Camp in Braunschweig, Germany!!!!!!!!
Anyone interested in a intense 10 days of training and a great site seeing opportunity should look into the International German Training Camp. The Camp is being held in Braunschweig, Germany. It runs from the 11th-17th of August. Any students interested should contact Dan or Dave for more details. The whole trip including room, board, airfaire and transport to and from the airport is $1500.00 thanks to a great deal from www.libertytravel.com Use promotion code# SBJJ. For more information on the even please check out the event page at www.usajudo.org************ Please not NO TICKETS or travel information will be released until full payments are recieved. Students must have there their account stamped and student card punched for confirmation.*********** If there is anyone or people know of business's that would lie to help sponors the trip have them send there inquiries to simmlerbjj@yahoo.com ATTN: JUDO CAMP
April 10, 2007- Posted by Danny Valle under Academy News & Events
“Most look up and admire the stars. A champion climbs a mountain and grabs one.” - Author unknown. Those words could not be more fitting. This weekend, Matt “The Terror” Serra indeed shocked the world when he defeated Georges St. Pierre. To many, this was an impossibility, but tell that to the New UFC Welterweight Champion of the World! It’s been a long road for Matt Serra, but a road worth traveling as he has accomplished what many only dream of. Last season on The Ultimate Fighter Season 4, Matt went straight to the top after defeating Pete Spratt and Shonie Carter. He then continued on to defeat Chris Lytle in the last episode of TUF 4 which granted him the opportunity to face the welterweight champion in a title match. After St. Pierre defeated Matt Hughes, the stage was set. This weekend, Matt went at Georges St. Pierre full steam. Just 3 minutes and 25 seconds into the match, Matt ended the fight with a series of strikes that put St. Pierre to the canvas. Matt continued to rain down vicious unanswered strikes which lead to the ref stoppage. 