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 2026
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
Brown 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 Jaydan
Blue Belt
ICP 2025
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 Joshua
Blue Belt
ICP 2025
Coach Joshua began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in February 2021 at Gracie Barra Avondale, inspired by watching his cousins train and intrigued by the art. Under the guidance of Professor Michael, alongside Professors Mel and Brian, he built a strong technical foundation that continues to shape his approach today.
In 2022, he moved to Gracie Barra Buckeye and began coaching as a volunteer, developing his instructional skills while continuing to refine his own game. With over five years of competition experience, Coach Joshua has achieved 17 submission victories and earned 13 medals, including 8 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronzes. While no longer actively competing, he channels his experience and passion into coaching, inspiring students of all ages to grow both on and off the mat.
Beyond martial arts, Coach Joshua has been involved with children at his church since the age of nine, cultivating patience, leadership, and the ability to connect with young learners. A dedicated student at Canyon View High School excelling in Honors and AP coursework, he brings discipline, focus, and mentorship to every class, fostering a positive and motivating environment for all students at Gracie Barra Buckeye.
Coach Mia - GBF Coach
Purple Belt
ICP 2026 GBF
Coach Mia began her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey just before her senior year of high school, but her experience in combat sports started much earlier. At the age of five, she began wrestling and continued competing until an injury during her freshman year of high school brought that chapter to a close. She also has experience in mixed martial arts, earning a purple belt at just nine years old after several years of training.
When she is not training or coaching, Coach Mia is dedicated to her education. She recently completed her bachelor's degree and is currently pursuing her master's degree. Much of her free time is spent at Gracie Barra Buckeye, where she is an active competitor and a valued member of the team.
Over the years, Coach Mia has trained under Professor Brian and previously under Professor Mel, developing both her technical skills and passion for teaching. She earned her Blue Belt in October 2023 and was promoted to Purple Belt in April 2026.
Coach Mia is passionate about helping others grow through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Whether she is competing, coaching, or supporting teammates from the sidelines, she strives to make a positive impact on and off the mats while inspiring students to reach their full potential.
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.
