06/26/2020
Management
Ultra Jiu Jitsu Academy (UJJA) has an experienced management- and instructional-team, with a focus not only on teaching Jiu Jitsu, but also business management and operations, customer service, health promotion, and wellness. Founded by Alexis Nixon and Pedro Serrano in 2020, the overarching goal of UJJA is to enrich the lives of students through the provision of quality Jiu Jitsu education and training. In the future we will also offer self-defense classes (based on Krav Maga curriculum).
Alexis Nixon
The Program Director of UJJA, Alexis Nixon has a 20-year history of developing and operating successful health/education related businesses (e.g., GoodLife Residential Home 1 & 2, Live-Well Intermediate Care Facility, California Medical Career College, Absolute Body Fitness, and Western Cardiology). Back in 2012, Mr. Nixon’s lifelong fitness-journey led him towards martial arts, firstly to Krav Maga and then to Jiu Jitsu. Mr. Nixon has competed and meddled at numerous Jiu Jitsu competitions. In February 2019, Mr. Nixon was offered the opportunity to help teach classes at his prestigious home school (Gracie Barra Northridge); he now seeks to expand his role as Program Director and advance his passion for the art of Jiu Jitsu by opening Ultra Jiu Jitsu Academy with his Jiu Jitsu mentor Professor Pedro Serrano.
Lineage
Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Vinicius Magalhães > Rômulo Barral > Alexis Nixon
Pedro Serrano
Professor Pedro Serrano is an American grappler of Peruvian descent who holds the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the world-famous instructor and 5x IBJJF World Champion, Rômulo Barral of the Gracie Barra Northridge Academy. Widely regarded as one of the most talented athletes of his generation, Professor Serrano’s reputation was earned as a colored belt, while competing in the submission-only and the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) circuits, where he conquered numerous International titles, most importantly the American Nationals and World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Under the guidance of Professor Barral, Professor Serrano climbed through the belt ranks of jiu-jitsu, becoming a respected competitor in the North American grappling circuit, both under IBJJF rules and submission-only. His positive performances on the mats earned Pedro Serrano his black belt on December 13, 2019.
The Head Instructor of UJJA, Professor Pedro Serrano has over eight years of experience practicing the art of Jiu Jitsu. Professor Serrano is an avid competitor (most recently winning the 2019 IBJJF Worlds No-Gi Championship), enthusiast, and teacher. For the past several years Professor Serrano has been teaching kids’ and adults’ Jiu Jitsu classes at his former home gym (Gracie Barra Northridge). Professor Serrano was also recruited to teach Jiu Jitsu classes at Gracie Barra Carlsbad. Following the footsteps of his professors/mentors (Romulo Barral, Jaeson Bianchi, Jason Hunt, Aaron Collins, Edwin Najmi, Gabriel Arges, and Samuel Braga), Professor Serrano is excited to now open his own Jiu Jitsu school (Ultra Jiu Jitsu Academy) with friend and business partner Alexis Nixon.
Lineage
Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Vinicius Magalhães > Rômulo Barral > Pedro Serrano
Main Achievements
· 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2019 brown)
· 1st Place IBJJF Los Angeles BJJ Pro (2018** brown)
· 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals No-Gi (2016** blue)
· 1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2016 blue)
· 1st Place IBJJF Long Beach Open (2017 purple)
· 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, LA (2016 blue)
· 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, TYO (2016 blue)
· 1st Place Midwest Finishers 135 lbs Invitational (2019)
· 2nd Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2015/2016 blue)
· 2nd Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2017 purple)
· 2nd Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, ABD (2019 brown)
