Serafin Brazilian BJJ

Serafin Brazilian BJJ is led by Jeff Serafin, a third-degree black belt with over two decades of experience under Jack McVicker and Megaton Dias. Jeff’s background includes a professional MMA record alongside hundreds of wins in BJJ and submission grappling tournaments. His coaching career spans nearly 15 years, during which he has guided athletes to success at regional, national, and international levels, including Pan American medalists and UFC competitors. The academy’s instruction team also features Brandon Batchelor, a second-degree black belt and accomplished competitor; Ilya Bodnya, a first-degree black belt known for integrating the latest techniques; Jennifer Zanotti, a black belt who leads the women-only classes; and Chris Wojcik, who oversees competition training. Classes at Serafin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu alternate weekly between gi and no-gi formats, reflecting the academy’s balanced approach to the art. The schedule includes multiple daily sessions such as general BJJ classes, women-only groups, and competition-focused classes that require invitation. Open mat sessions are offered several times each week, providing students opportunities for extra drilling and sparring. The curriculum emphasizes fundamentals while supporting advanced techniques, with instructors tailoring guidance to individual progress and competitive goals. The school operates out of Gym 1801 in Evanston, Illinois, where all classes take place. New students arrange trial classes by contacting the academy directly. The variety of programs and experienced coaching staff support a training environment that develops technical proficiency and competitive readiness across different levels and age groups.

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