It may have taken a few years to make it official, but Sergio Penha has his Red and Black belt. It was presented to him by his son at open mat today.
Sergio with his brown and black belts that were able to make it.
Sergio Penha Team
Wow...
Talk about a guy who doesn't get mentioned enough on this board!
awesome!
quick question to his students: the last 2x I have been to Vegas, I tried to go to day classes at his school, both times I went and the doors were locked and nobody was there. Is there a correct daytime schedule or someone to contact ahead of time before I spend $15 each way on a taxi next time again?
Congrats to Sergio.
Whose the belt under?
@Jomma I'm sorry that happened to you, especially twice. What time were you going? Classes start a few minutes late sometimes (but right on Brazilian time).
@MrBen, Sergio originally got his belt from Osvaldo Alves. Another fun fact is that Sergio never had a brown belt. He was one of two people (that I know of) to ever skip a belt. The other was Fredson who also came from Osvaldo.
@gusto The certificates are from the USBJJF and the IBJJF not Gracie Barra.
Im thinking about stopping at Sergios in a few wks when im in Vegas. I hear great things about him all the time.
@MurdochIRL - it was a few weeks ago, Wed 10-1130 class. I got there 950 and stayed till 1010. Doors were still locked and parking lot was empty.
Blue namer please!
http://img62.imageshack.us/i/29712391084504169564909.jpg/
http://img571.imageshack.us/i/29712391084499169564909.jpg/
Jomma - @MurdochIRL - it was a few weeks ago, Wed 10-1130 class. I got there 950 and stayed till 1010. Doors were still locked and parking lot was empty.
Would it happen to have been around the time of the WEC? Sergio was getting Anthony ready all week. There should have been someone there. Again, I apologize for the mix up. If you're in town in the future message me. I can pick you up and drop you off back at your hotel.
ttt
Peoria Athletic Club - how long has he been training??? probably since birth huh?
He actually got started in his late teenage years. He progressed really fast though. I think when he fought Rickson he had only been a black belt for a few months. Sergio was also an airline pilot for a long time. I know I'm biased because I train under him but he is an amazing man on and off the mat. A great mentor and role model. He and Osvaldo Alves are legends in BJJ but are probably some of the least talked about BJJ guys ever.
MurdochIRL - I think when he fought Rickson he had only been a black belt for a few months.
If memory serves, the reason he was promoted to black belt when he was (and the reason he skipped brown belt) is because Helio said that he would only let Rickson fight him if he was a black belt. That's the story I heard years ago anyway.
True story. He probably would have liked to stay at purple a little longer, but he was beating black belts already
That's kinda what I heard too. He was smashing up everyone in Rio at the time and it was so bad that it came down from the old man (Helio) that he HAD to go straight to black belt from purple so he and Rickson could fight. I think I read somewhere he had only been training a few years at the time too! (sound familiar?)
If and when I get out to Vegas, I'll make Sergio rich (and very tired) by how many private classes I would take! And I'm already black belt. Him, Cassio Cardoso, & Oswaldo Alves are guys I'd love to just pick their brains.
He got subbed by Roger's dad at purple, so smashing almost everyone ;o)
I will be in Vegas June 1 - June 4.
I would love to roll with Sergio. I'm only a blue belt: is it considered too upity for me to ask to roll with a Red/Black belt?
shadallion - I will be in Vegas June 1 - June 4.
I would love to roll with Sergio. I'm only a blue belt: is it considered too upity for me to ask to roll with a Red/Black belt?
Not as long as you got cash :)
With all due respect to Mauricao, he is mainly famous for being Roger's dad. Sergio Penha is famous for being himself.
That fight with Mauricio was in the open division, Sergio wasn't in his weight category, and if I recall, Sergio beat him so they each have a victory over each other
Sergio has nothing but good things to say about Mauricio and Roger.