About Me
Our AcademySuperb Instruction, Excellent Training...We teach a very effective martial art known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the serious and dedicated student. In addition, we offer kid's classes (ages 8 - 13), adult Wrestling, and adult Judo, for students interested in a well-rounded arsenal for mixed martial arts or self defense.Nick and Damien SerraBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become the hottest, most in demand, and fastest growing martial art. Reputable and legitimate world class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and instructors are in short supply. However, if you are in the Long Island area, then you are in luck!Matt & Nick Serra are black belts under world renowned Renzo Gracie. Celebrated in the martial arts world for their superior grappling skills, both Matt and Nick have gained excellent reputations as first-class instructors in their sport and fierce competitors in the world of mixed martial arts. Matt and Nick teach at their schools and head a team of reputable and qualified instructors, many who have fought competitively in both the grappling and mixed martial arts arenas.Here are just a few of the many benefits of training at the Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy:* Great for Self Defense
* World Class Instruction
* Friendly Atmosphere
* Excellent Training
* Great Cardiovascular Conditioning
* Increase Muscle Tone
* Rapidly Reduce Body Fat
* Increased Self Confidence
* Supreme Stress Reducer
* and much, much more...So, whether you are looking to get in shape, further develop your mixed martial arts skill set, or are seeking a realistic form of self defense, then our academy is the place for you. Our academy and its students offer friendly yet competitive training that is second to none. We look forward to you training with us and our team and hope to see you on the mats soon!
Matt Serra - Head Instructor
[Matt Serra] UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra was interested in martial arts at an early age watching Bruce Lee movies as a kid. He began to practice in the Martial Arts using Kung Fu. Matt thought he could hang with just about anybody in a real fight until his father showed him a tape of a family of fighters from Brazil in real fights, beating their opponents with ease, using chokes and submissions.
After seeing that tape he was determined to learn from this family, even if it meant going to Brazil. Fate would have it that Brazil would come to him when Renzo Gracie moved to New York and starting teaching in the mid 90's. Matt has been training under Renzo since then and on May 23, 2000 he was awarded his black belt from Renzo making him the 1st American black belt under Renzo Gracie."Fighting in the UFC is a dream come true. The UFC is the top MMA event in the world." Matt feels that the fans will love his aggressive style of fighting. Matt says "Some fighters do just enough to win, even if it makes the fight boring as hell! More than anything I want to finish my opponent. Don't get me wrong, I like to win, but I love to fight!!!"
Nick Serra - Head Instructor
[Nick Serra] Nick Serra, the second American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under world renowned Renzo Gracie, is Chief Instructor along with his brother Matt in this family-run academy. As a member of the Renzo Gracie Competition Team, he too has earned many awards and titles such as Grappler's Quest Absolute Division Champion, IFF No Holds Barred Heavyweight Champion, and Cage Fury Welterweight Champion.
His talent, skill, and unique fighting style are limitless. Also currently fighting in various Mixed Martial Art events, most recently The Ultimate Fighting Championships, Nick's skill as a submission fighter has taken his career to new heights. He is an instructor who exemplifies the essence of the gentle art known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Rich Korfhage - Black Belt
[Rich Horfhage] Rich Korfhage began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu about the same time as Matt in the early 1990s,  when they both had to regularly travel a long ways from their Long Island, New York homes to Redbank, New Jersey to train under Craig Kukuk,  the only black belt in the region then teaching that unique martial art that few Americans had ever even heard about, Gracie (Brazilian) Jiu-Jitsu.
But Korfhage, a police officer and already a 5th degree black belt in American Combat Karate under the late legendary Richie Barathy, immediately appreciated the new martial art and dedicated himself to it.
He continued training in it, later in Manhattan under Renzo Gracie and on Long Island under Rodrigo Gracie, Matt and Nick Serra. Rich retired from the New York City Police department as a lieutenant in 2006, and now brings to the academy his many years of practical conflict knowledge and experience as a police officer, karate expert, and jiu-jitsu black belt. "I retired to be doing what I love most in my life besides my family, jiu-jitsu."
Mike Piccolomini - Black Belt
[Mike Piccolomini] Mike Piccolomini has two loves- teaching and martial arts, and brings exceptional credentials from both fields to the academy.Already selected for the New York City police academy in the 1990s, he re-evaluated his goals. "I felt my true calling was in teaching. That's where my heart was."
Now a public school teacher with multiple college degrees, certified to teach physical education and special education from kindergarten through high school, his martial arts credentials may be even more impressive.
He was a Shorin Ryu karate black belt before even starting his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training at the Renzo Gracie Academy in the 1990s where he trained under Gracie family champion Rodrigo Gracie, best selling BJJ author and coach John Danaher, and under his main teachers Matt and Nick Serra, for whom he's been a key teaching staff member since 2001. Mike offers patience, experience, and energy to his students. "All my training in special education helps me adjust to individual learning styles in jiu jitsu...children, men, women- all people, all abilities."
Danny Valle - Brown Belt
Danny Valle has been training with Matt & Nick Serra for approximately 8 years. He began his Martial Arts career since about the age of 7 in Japanese Karate. He continued on to study Olympic style Taekwondo earning his Black Belt and competed on both national and international levels.
It wasn't until 1999 when Danny was introduced to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been training ever since. Committed to the art and learning under the tutelage of Matt & Nick Serra, Danny has competed in many grappling competitions and is currently a full time instructor as well as Manager of our Huntington location.
William Hofacker - Purple Belt
William "Billy Ho" Hofacker has been training under the guidance of Matt and Nick Serra for over 7 years. Billy recently graduated Cum Laude from Queens College, attaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. He has since turned up his level of commitment to his chosen sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and competes on a regular basis.
Billy is the Manager of the Serra Academy of East Meadow, NY. He also serves as instructor of afternoon (all belts) and beginner classes in the evenings. When asked what technical aspect of BJJ he loves most, Billy responded, "All the different submissions and holds from the cross side position.
Billy is a Certified Personal Trainer who specializes in conditioning for Grappling/MMA. It's the fulfillment of a long-time dream for him to merge his two passions.able table table td.text
