Victory Belongs to the Most Persevering

On the walls of Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy are these words, “Victory Belongs to the Most Persevering.”

Earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is perhaps the hardest rank to earn in all of martial arts. It usually takes over a decade and thousands of hours of mat time to achieve such an honor. On May 22nd of this year after 15 years of training, Josh Madama, Head Instructor and Owner of Madama Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy was promoted to black belt and joins this elite group of martial artists.

The above quote,Victory Belongs to the Most Perservering, adorns the wall of new Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. It’s fitting that Madama Jiu-Jitsu Academy’s owner and head instructor would be promoted under such words.

Food Drinks Fun

On Saturday, July 10th, we opened our school to the public and offered free classes to the community all day long.

On July 10th, Madama Jiu-Jitsu Academy gave free classes to the community throughout the day.

The free classes included kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing. These classes were followed by adult beginner’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing.

The classes were HUGE! Everyone had a great time.

Our day culminated with a Black Belt Seminar where a many of the area’s notable black belts and influential Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors shared their favorite techniques with past and present students of Madama Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Also during the Black Belt Seminar, three of Madama Jiu-Jitsu’s team members — Alan Ulbricht, Dan Panckeri, and Ray Nieves — were promoted to purple belt.

Congratulations Alan, Dan, and Ray!

Click here to check out the photos on Flickr!

Guest Instructors Included:

Pete "Drago" Sell

Pete Sell is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Matt & Nick Serra.

Pete is a veteran of the UFC and has fought in many Mixed Martial Arts fights. Pete was also a competitor on Season Four of the UFC's Ultimate Fighter television show.

Visit him at his website: Pete Sell.

Danny Valle

Danny is currently a full-time instructor and manager of Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's Huntington location. He is a committed jiu-jitsu student and esteemed teacher who has had success in both grappling and amateur MMA competitions.

You can visit his profile page here: Danny Valle.

Karl Pravek

Karl Pravec is the owner and head instructor of Silver Fox Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Lodi, NJ. Karl is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under legendary Renzo Gracie and John Danaher and has spent 24 years studying martial arts, including over 17 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Renzo and John at the world renowned Renzo Gracie Academy.

Visit him on the web: Silver Fox BJJ

Derek Picinich

Derek is a black belt under Karl Pravec. He has 14 years of wrestling experience and 9 years of jiu-jitsu experience. Derek continues his wrestling background as a high school assistant coach. He is a frequent Grappler’s Quest competitor and has trained with and under Renzo Gracie, Jaime Cruz, Matt Serra, and American Top Team.

Visit him on the web: Silver Fox BJJ

Rich Korfhage

Rich owns, operates, and teaches at his own academy in Lindenhurst, New York. Like many of the other black belts mentioned above, he has trained with and learned from Renzo Gracie and earned his black belt under Matt and Nick Serra.

You can visit his school's website: Korfhage BJJ

Joe Monahan

Joe is the head instructor and founder of Maxum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is BJJ Black Belt currently under Matt and Nick Serra (Team Serra). Joe has studied many martial arts styles over the years including Japanese Jiu Jitsu and kickboxing. Joe has conducted many self defense, tactics and rape prevention cliniques for the NYPD. He has won multiple grappling tournaments in the United States.

You can visit his school's website: Maxum BJJ

Alex Aristieds

Alex Aristidesis also one of the head instrutors and founders of Maxum Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is BJJ Brown Belt currently under Matt and Nick Serra (Team Serra). He has won countless grappling tournaments and other matches over the years and has competed around the United States and in Brazil.

You can visit his school's website: Maxum BJJ

Other Special Guests:

Wayne "Big Chuck" Bradshaw

Wayne, a retired Middletown police officer, is a Renzo Gracie brown belt. He now lives in Florida, but was among the first people on the East Coast to study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Abe Finkler

Abe is a Team Serra Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and is a stand-out at their schools in Long Island, NY.