About Our BJJ Gym in Austin

Mario Esfiha Logo

Mario Esfiha Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Not only is Mario a founding member of Brasa Team, he also has over 30 years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu experience. As a 6th degree black belt, he has an incredible knowledge and understanding of the foundations and techniques of BJJ.

Whether you are new to the sport, or a skilled practitioner, training under Mario or one of his instructors will give you access to all of the tools that you will need in order to succeed on your BJJ journey.

Brasa Team logo

Brasa Team

Brasa, which means "Live Coal" or "Ember" in Portuguese, was named after the bright, fiery color of the brazilwood tree's wood under the bark. The brazilwood is Brazil's national tree, and the name Brasa Team seeks to honor it's Brazilian roots and heritage. Brasa Team is a world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team, lead by grapplers and fighters of the highest caliber from all over the globe.

Meet Our BJJ Instructors

Mario Esfiha

Professor Mario Esfiha

Owner / Head Instructor

  • 6th Degree Black Belt
  • Professor since 2007
  • BJJ Practitioner since 1988
  • Abu Dhabi World Championship ADCC Veteran
  • Judo Brown Belt (Sankyu)
  • US Modern Army Combatives Level 3 Instructor
  • Member of Brasa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team

Douglas Cutright

Douglas Curtright

Adult BJJ Instructor

  • BJJ Black Belt 1st Degree Under Mario Esfiha
  • Judo Orange Belt (Gokyu)

Colin Moore

Colin Moore

Takedowns Instructor

  • BJJ Purple Belt
  • USA Wrestling Bronze level certified Coach

Colin started training wrestling in 1988 at the age of 8 years old! He competed in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco Roman for the next 10 years. He was able to train as a youth and through junior and high school before he left the sport. His experience in wrestling spans several states including Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio. He won numerous medals and placed in local, state, and national tournaments. Colin had the privilege of training and competing under USA Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee Coach Jerry Kuntz (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zsIKicPzm8), where he learned great techniques in teaching fundamental grappling movements and techniques. Colin looked for ways to get back into grappling and in 2015 he found Mario’s gym and joined enthusiastically and has been training BJJ ever since. He started coaching youth wrestling in 2016 with the Pflugerville Youth Wrestling Club and has had coached several state placers.

Our Classes

BJJ Gi Class

BJJ Gi Class

This course of instruction includes the school’s full standard curriculum, including: Gi Essentials (description below), Advanced Gi, Judo (description below), Wresting & Self-Defense. Depending on the class size and composition, the Gi program will touch on a wide range of concepts and sequences ranging from basic to advanced levels. Here the students will study all of the key elements in BJJ Gi training such as take downs, throws, position, sweeps, guard passing, submissions, and more. Gi instruction is a fundamental building block for the total fighter, and for this reason it is recommended for all levels from new beginner to professional mixed martial artists competing in MMA.

  • Gi Essentials
    The Gi Essentials class is designed primarily to give new students a look into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training. The goal of this program is to familiarize new students with the feeling of wearing the Gi (BJJ/Judo uniform sometimes referred to as a Kimono), as well as teaching basic concepts of Jiu Jitsu fundamentals. In this course, Mario covers basic self defense for the street. Parts of this curriculum include principles of balance, grips (hand positioning and where to grab), and body positioning. The Gi Essentials program is also highly recommended as an excellent opportunity for more intermediate students to sharpen or review their grasp of the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and increase their awareness of positional theory.
  • Judo
    Judo meaning “gentle way” is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano after his mastery of three forms of Japanese Ju Jutsu. At Mario’s academy there are three emphasized strategies taught: Judo for BJJ, Judo for Judo Competition, and Judo as it pertains to MMA and No Gi. Its most prominent feature is the competitive element wherein the object is to either throw or takedown one’s opponent to the ground in an effort to either immobilize or otherwise subdue one’s opponent with a grappling maneuver by pinning the opponent or forcing them to submit by applying a joint lock or by executing a choke or strangle hold. Strikes and thrusts by hands and feet as well as weapons defenses are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (Kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (Randori).
  • Self-Defense
    Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense are synonymous… Simply by showing up to classes and studying the fundamentals through the more advanced techniques of BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, etc, you are sharpening your self-defense skills.

BJJ No Gi Class

Like the Gi curriculum, the No Gi curriculum will focus on the key elements of Jiu Jitsu training with one exception – the gi is not worn in this class. Here students will explore how the art changes when the kimono is taken off. Modifications to grips, movements, and submissions will be taught in this class. Students interested in MMA or self defense for the street will find this class exceptionally useful, and this knowledge is directly applicable to both Gi as well as No Gi situations. Wresting for BJJ: The wrestling class consists of wrestling style warm ups followed by a heavy focus on the instruction of stand up and take downs. You will learn and develop fundamental grappling movements that will translate well to BJJ. Students will gain understanding of wrestling concepts like space management, chain wrestling, and execution through positional sparring and drilling just like it is taught in wrestling gyms.

BJJ Open Mat

In this Non-Instructional class, students have a chance to go over and practice the material they learned during the week with their teammates and training partners. Open Mat time can be utilized to practice any of the curriculum in any of Mario’s courses of study and is by invitation only except for members of Mario’s academy. In addition to regularly scheduled class and open mat time, we offer private instruction on a first come first serve basis. CONTACT US today to inquire about availability or to schedule a private lesson!

MMA, Self-Defense and Judo Classes

While we don't offer specific MMA, Self-Defense, or Judo classes, the classes that we do offer teach techniques that can be applied to all three of these areas.

Kids BJJ Class

This program is tailored specifically for children between the ages of 4 and 12 (average). The kids’ class aims to familiarize children with the basic movements of BJJ. The goal is to incorporate the principles of ground movement into the muscle memory of children at as early an age as possible so that they will be in an ideal position to pursue more advanced training as they get older. Our goal is to instill confidence, respect, and a positive, healthy regimen into the lives and minds of our young students.

Muay Thai Class

Muay Thai is the art of Kickboxing as it is taught in Thailand. Muay Thai is recognized by most as the most predominant and effective striking art in the world as witnessed in the evolution of MMA. It differs from traditional kickboxing in that it incorporates more striking options with the knees and elbows. The use of knees, elbows, as well as detailed clinch work are the main elements that set Muay Thai Kickboxing apart from all other striking arts and make it the devastating style that it is. This martial art is more than just an aerobic workout and should be considered mandatory for the serious MMA student and recommended for those wishing to have a real world advantage in the street. Muay Thai class teaches the ancient art of combat as it has been taught and passed down from teacher to student for generations.

Takedowns Class

This class focuses on takedowns, or the most efficient ways to bring someone from standing to the ground.

Come Try A Free BJJ Class In Austin!

Members of all skill levels welcome