Saturday, June 30, 2007

Serra Jiu-Jitsu Launches Another Star

Matt and Nick Serra's star pupil, Joe Scarola, will be competing for a UFC contract and whatever trimmings come with winning it all as part of The Ultimate Fighter 6.

The boys over at Serra Jiu-Jitsu in Long Island certainly have been making big waves lately in the MMA world. Nick Serra captured the CFFC welterweight title earlier this month, Matt Serra wears UFC welterweight gold, the Kodiak scared away some teenagers who were hanging out in front of his house last week, Pete "Drago" Sell was part of one of the most spectacular UFC fights in recent history, and Luke Cummo opened plenty of eyes as he ran through the competition on TUF 2. And now it's time for another Serra product to rip shit up.

Joe Scarola, a BJJ blackbelt and Serra Jiu-Jitsu head instructor, will be one of 16 welterweights who will be coached by champ Matt Serra and his future opponent, Matt Hughes, as part of TUF 6.

During my tutelage at Serra Jiu-Jitsu, I had the pleasure of receiving instruction a few times from the 28-year-old Scarola, who was the first to earn his black belt under Matt Serra (who was the fiirst American to earn a black belt under Renzo Gracie). Scarola is the man. His BJJ is top notch, and he adds to that an arsenal that includes Muy Thai kickboxing and Kempo.

Naturally, I expect Serra to pick his star pupil as early as possible, but what would happen if Hughes, in the spirit of competition (and possibly disdain) were to pick Scarola? Things could get interesting.

For more about Scarola, the Serras, and the Serra/Longo fight team, click away, bitches.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Actually Craig Kukuk was the first American to receive a black belt in BJJ from a Gracie (Royler).

MK said...

Good pick-up, Facts. I meant to say Renzo Gracie (not sure why I wrote otherwise) and have correected the mistake.