Michael Serg with his team. Photo: Personal archive

Within one year as a black belt, Michael Sergi of GMA Serg BJJ has made strides in his Jiu-Jitsu career. At the 2015 IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open on Jan. 31 he earned his first gold medal and title at the rank of black belt.

This was his third tournament competing as a black belt and three’s a charm. Michael came out on top in the black belt master 2 heavyweight division against Royce Gracie black belt Jon Pyler and UFC veteran Rory Singer.

In his final, he was able to secure the win by a guard pass within the last 30 seconds of the match!

Michael, left, with Marcio Cruz, center, Rafael de Lima, right. Photo: Personal archive

The Marcio Cruz student attributes his success to his students and professor but admits there is always more to go: “I’m happy with winning gold, but I’m not satisfied. I have much to improve. I’m thankful for great students that push me in training and to Marcio for supporting me.”

Learn more about Michael Sergi and Serg BJJ in Savannah, Georgia at www.sergbjj.com

Michael Sergi in the blue. Photo: Erin Herle

Michael Sergi of GMA Serg BJJ traveled from Savannah to NYC for the 2014 IBJJF New York Summer Open. Along with him came two students from his school and one other from Marcio Cruz BJJ.

In total, they took home one gold, one silver and one bronze. For Michael, this was his first tournament as a black belt. Of the experience he says, “I competed against some very good and very experienced competitors.” He earned silver in his medium-heavy weight class and a silver in the open class.

The team as a whole, Marcio Cruz BJJ, came in 24 out of 140 teams with only four competitors. Congratulations.

To learn more about Serg BJJ in Savannah, GA, visit www.sergbjj.com

Pe de Pano promotes first American black belt, Michael Sergi. Photo: Personal Archive

Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz promoted his on of his students to black belt over the weekend of April 26 – 27 at the 2014 IBJJF Boca Raton Open in Florida. This is the first American he has promoted to black belt

The student, Michael Sergi of GMA Serg BJJ was given his black belt after winning gold in the brown belt masters 2 medium-heavy division.

He says, “I was happy about my performance and winning gold, but I was overwhelmed with joy when Marcio wrapped the black belt around my waist on the podium. I am proud to achieve the belt and even more proud that Marcio trusted me enough to make me his black belt. I know he has high expectations. I have a lot more work to do now.”

Learn more about this new black belt and his GMA academy Serg BJJ in Savannah, GA, visit www.sergbjj.com

Dean Lister visits Serg BJJ

GMA member Michael Sergi had a very special visitor recently.

He welcomed UFC and ADCC veteran Dean Lister at his academy in Savannah, Georgia.

Serg explains the occasion: “This was Dean’s first time back in the US after 6 weeks in Europe and Asia where he was successful in an MMA fight and conducted seminars in over a dozen countries. Dean conducted a no-gi seminar focusing on technique, principles and concepts from butterfly guard, side control and lower body attacks. It was nice having guys on the same mat learning from 2011’s best grappler from Relson Gracie, Gracie Barra, Matt Serra and, of course, our own school.”

In another event, Sergi also welcomed black belt Daniel Moraes for a seminar and belt ceremony: “A number of guys received stripes on their belts and my student and friend Harry West was promoted to purple belt by myself and Daniel.”

For more info, go to facebook.com/serg.bjj

GMA member school Serg BJJ had the endo of the year graduation ceremony recently, in Savannah, Georgia.

Twenty students under professor Michael Sergi got new belts or stripes.

Here what he had to say about the event: “Congratulations to all of my students on receiving stripes on their belts in our last group class of 2011. Twenty people on 700 sq. ft. of mats. Awesome day. Very proud of our affiliation with JR Gay and his guys Dag Gay, James Owens, Nick Kalloniatis, Adam Hines and Aaron Hines. I am looking forward to our next tournament. Consistency, patience and positivity are the attributes of great BJJ practitioners. Come to class and keep training hard. 2012 is going to be a great year for us. Thank you to all of my students for making our school a great place to train. I appreciate all of you.”

GMA member Michael Sergi, leader of Serg BJJ, in Savannah, Georgia, is restless when it comes to spreading the gentle art knowledge.

Last Sunday, he conducted a seminar on Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals at Hunter Army Airfield for over 160 men and women of the United States Marine Corp.

The class was a complete success and Sergi talks about it: “The invitation was extended by blue belt under Daniel Moraes and Ryan Brinkman, and Gracie Jacksonville member, Major Cliff “Rusty”Russ. It was an awesome experience. The Marine Corp has a martial arts program that incorporates aspects of Jiu-Jitsu. It was an honor to provide them with a more in depth experience of the gentle art. I gave away all of my copies of this month’s GRACIEMAG to the guys that helped me in demonstrating the techniques.”

Moraes, Sergi

GMA member Michael Sergi, leader of Serg BJJ, welcomed 3rd degree Royler Gracie black belt Daniel Moraes, in Savannah, Georgia, last week.

Daniel was there for a workshop where he showed a variety of passes from the open guard and counter submissions from top half guard.

According to Sergi, the team had a great time and appreciated all the knowledge Daniel shares.

He welcomed for seminars, black belts Kid Peligro and Roberto Traven (which is also a GMA in Georgia).

Sergi’s students had a great time with both classes.

Michael talked about the experience: “During Traven’s visit 3 of my students were promoted to the rank of purple belt. Kid showed some amazing techniques and emphasized the details that make the techniques successful. His training and technical philosophy are tops. Traven spent time showing some of his patented submissions and sweeps. Everyone took something away from both seminars. We were fortunate and humbled to have these world class instructors with us in Savannah this week.”

He welcomed for seminars black belts Kid Peligro and Roberto Traven (who is also a GMA in Georgia).

Team Serg with Kid

Sergi’s students had a great time with both classes.

Michael talked about the experience: “During Traven’s visit three of my students were promoted to the rank of purple belt. Kid showed some amazing techniques and emphasized the details that make the techniques successful. His training and technical philosophy are tops. Traven spent time showing some of his patented submissions and sweeps. Everyone took something away from both seminars. We were fortunate and humbled to have these world class instructors with us in Savannah this week.”

Team Serg with Traven

Do you own a Jiu-Jitsu academy and want to have your school featured  on GRACIEMAG.com? It’s easy, all you need to do is to become a GMA member. Click here and find out how.

Savannah, Georgia

The growth of our association is non stop.

We have just landed in Savannah, Georgia.

Our representative is Michael Sergi and he is also a Roberto Traven representative.

Welcome to Michael and his team.