In Memory of Professor Mel
Black Belt
Professor Mel's Jiu-Jitsu journey started over 15+ years ago. He just finished graduate school and was looking for an activity that would fill in the free time that homework and school previously took. He was exposed to Jiu-Jitsu during his time in the Army, so he decided to pursue it further. He started studying at the Gauntlet in Upland, California under Wander Braga, who awarded him his blue belt. In
2012. He then started practicing under Professor Anna and Professor Rafael at Gracie Barra Upland. It
was there where he earned his purple belt. Around 2012, his family decided to move to Arizona. One of the major reservations he had about the move was the lack of any Gracie Barra schools in the Phoenix area. He went to several schools at the time, but none has come close to the training atmosphere that he had
experienced at Gracie Barra Upland.
It was a great pleasure, when Gracie Barra Scottsdale opened. He would then make the 55 plus miles in order to train there on the weekends. Then Gracie Barra Phoenix opened, it was at this school under Professor Murillo, that he would finally felt like home. It was here where he earned his brown belt. He then moved his training and helped coached with Professor Michael out of Gracie Barra Avondale when it opened in 2020. He then started a Jiu-Jitsu ministry at the church he attends with his family, which primarily catered to the youth group ages 13 to 17. It is in this group where he experienced full on how Jiu-Jitsu can impact a young person's life. The kids in the ministry at church are more confident, humble, and focused. He saw how Jiu-Jitsu transformed his own son from a quiet and video game playing kid, to a more self-assured and confident teenager who was then a grey and white belt at Gracie Barra Avondale. Gracie Barra had a profound impact in his life. It is for these reasons that he has concluded that sharing the art as a Gracie Barra school with its programs and structure, would be a great benefit to the Buckeye community.
Professor Brian
1st Degree Black Belt
ICP 2025
Professor Brian began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu over 18 years ago in Las Vegas, Nevada, under the guidance of Professors Mica Cipili and Walter "Cascao" Vital. He earned his brown belt from Cascao before relocating to Goodyear, Arizona.
In Goodyear, Professor Brian trained at various locations before finding a home at Gracie Barra Avondale, owned by Professor Michael Bruner. He was awarded his black belt by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and Professor Flavio Almeida in 2021 at the Gracie Barra World Summit in Sedona, AZ.
In June of 2023, Professor Brian became the head professor at Gracie Barra Buckeye. He currently spends his time teaching at both GB Buckeye and his home school in Avondale.
Coach Mikey
Purple Belt
ICP 2025
Coach Mikey began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2018 when his father Professor Mel made a deal with him. It was then he developed a love for the sport and started practicing but could only practice once a week out of Gracie Barra Phoenix, which was the closes to his home. In 2020 he moved his practices to Gracie Barra Avondale with Professor Michael where he started assisting in GBK classes and still was only able to attend classes on the weekends. It wasn't until 2021 when Gracie Barra Buckeye opened and alongside his father, Professor Mel, is where they practiced and ran the mats together. In December 2022, he was awarded his blue then in July 2024 he was awarded with his purple belt. Coach Mikey is not a huge competitor, but he does compete. He then graduated high school as TVHS' 2025 Valedictorian. He will be attending college in the fall as he continues his journey with Jiu-Jitsu.
Coach Euan
Purple Belt
ICP 2025
Coach Euan started Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Mel at Gracie Barra Buckeye in June 2021, and earned his blue belt in June 2022 then his purple in December 2024. He has dipped his hands in multiple martial arts like Judo, Aikido, and Kendo, but he felt the greatest change in his physical and mental health when he started practicing Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra. He also values how Gracie Barra builds the community and empowers everyone regardless of their age or ability. He enjoys utilizing his 10+ years career in nonprofit youth work to teach the kids and youth classes.
Coach Jaydan
Blue Belt
ICP 2024
Coach Jaydan is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has been training for about 4 years under the Gracie Barra Red Shield. His Gracie Barra journey began at Gracie Barra Avondale under Professor Michael for the 1st year, then out of Gracie Barra Buckeye where he earned his blue belt. Coach Jaydan continues to develop his Jiu-Jitsu and coaching skills at Gracie Barra Buckeye, learned under Professor Mel and currently under Professor Brian as he coaches mainly in the GBK LC1/LC2 classes and assist in others.
Coach Will
Blue Belt
ICP 2025
Coach Will started his martial arts journey in 2013 in North Dakota, where he trained in Muay Thai, No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA. After two years of training, he moved back to Buckeye, Arizona. He then took a break from training to focus on his family and his career until he was able to start training again at Gracie Barra Buckeye in 2024. Currently a blue belt and active competitor, Coach Will brings a wide range of experience to his training and coaching. He is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Diet Coach, and he enjoys helping others get stronger, healthier, and more confident both on and off the mats. Coach Will is excited to continue his Martial Arts journey with us and will be teaching our No-Gi classes and helping with all of our other classes.
Bern
Blue Belt
Bern has been around Gracie Barra for over 15+ years. She has been on and off the mats since moving to Arizona in 2012, but mostly off. She loved running then found the joy in CrossFit, but her love is Powerlifting. She was one day challenged by a coach to try Jiu-Jitsu for at least 2 months, and she said I'll do better and did 3 months. That is when her Jiu-Jitsu journey began in December 2023. She also founded a community out of Gracie Barra Buckeye student and their families that comes together and strength train out of her CrossFit gym. Bern is currently a blue belt. She is your local Program Director, housekeeping, cheerleader, and foremost a wife and parent of practitioners.
