Mitsuyo Maeda -> Carlos Gracie -> Helio Gracie -> Royler Gracie -> Regis Lebre -> Michael Trasso
Team/Association
Gracie Humaitá
2. Michael Trasso Biography
Michael Trasso is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Regis Lebre and a member of the Gracie Humaitá San Diego, who has also done a lot of work with coaches like Mike MrKulic (late) and Jerry Jones. Trasso has 20 years of competitive experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. He has received more than 55 medals and a Black Belt.
The great instructor, grappler, and world-recognized wrestler was born on 29, August 1990 in Lyndhurst, NJ, United States. Trasso was shy during childhood, so his kindergarten mentor advised him to enroll in sports to cope with his shyness.
2.2. Featured in Kids Sports Illustrated Magazine
Trasso: a former child grappling prodigy was featured in Kids Sports illustrated Magazine in 2003 where he was ranked as the apex kid. He also received a “Top Teen Grappler” award from the Grappling Hall of Fame Gala (NAGA 2005).
2.3. How Trasso Started Jiu-Jitsu Journey
Trasso has had a deep affection for Bruce Lee since his childhood, and his martial arts movies fascinate Trosso’s soul. The admiration of Bruce Lee's work led Trasso to the mat. He started his grappling career in 1995 at the age of 5.
2.4. Trosso's First Academy
Micheal Trasso joined Rising Sun Martial Arts Academy in his hometown, Lyndhurst New Jersey. Michael began learning "Freestyle Jiu Jitsu" at the academy, a Japanese-style Jiu Jitsu that combines catch wrestling and sambo. After joining Jiu-Jitsu Academy, this art became his passion.
2.5. Micheal Trosso’s First Instructor
Jerry Jones was the coach at Rising Sun Martial Arts and the one who trained Trasso and prepared him for his early progression in submission wrestling (1995-2003). After eight years of elite training and hard work, Micheal received his Black Belt from Jerry Jones at Rising Sun Martial Arts.
2.6. Training with Mike MrKulic (Late)
In 2003, Micheal started BJJ training with the student of Mike MrKulic. (Louis Vintaloro, and a representative of the Royler Gracie & David)
2.7. Wrestling Career
In 2001, Michael started his wrestling career under head coach Scott Weaver at Saint Mary's & Queen of Peace High School, as well as taking individual training from Purdue University All-American Jason Silverstein. Michael attributes his wrestling progress and ultimate potential to Silverstein. Michael's team went on to win three State Championships, and he was also a District 16 Winner, Region 4 Title holder, and NJSIAA State Qualifier in high school.
2.8. Practiced Thai Kickboxing
In 2005, Trasso added kick / Muay Thai boxing to his training routine, a combat style of mixed martial arts he has learned from Dave Tirelli, a well-known coach who trained big names in martial arts like Bellator Champion Lyman Good, Jimmie Rivera, Nick Pace, and Uriah Hall.
2.9. Coached at Rhode Island College
In 2008, the head wrestling coach of the RI (Rhode Island College Anchormen), Jay Jones, called Michael with an allusive offer. After joining the college, Trasso devoted most of his time to wrestling for the next 5 years, while he never lost track of his BJJ training objectives.
2.10. Ended His College Wrestling Career
At Rhode Island College, Trasso served as Anchorman 141- ponder for 3 years and then in 2011, ranked # 9 in the nation. Trossso ended his wrestling career at college as 4 times “All New England Medalist” with 229 career takedowns. After One year of his big achievement, in 2012, he became the 12th wrestler in wrestling history who successfully earned 100+ victories.
2.11. Coached at Hope High School
After completing graduation in 2013, Trasso got a full-time job in the IT sector at Hope High School as an assistant wrestling coach in Providence, RI. However, his passion for BJJ never ended. In his leisure time, Michael actively joins training with Jimmy Connor and Tim Burrill (TBBJJ).
2.12. Job in San Diego
In 2016, Michael accepted a job offer in the Californian city of San Diego. This opportunity made it easy for Michael to move to one of the largest grappling centers in the world. In San Diego, Trasso trained under the guidance of Regis Lebre; team leader of Gracie Humaitá.
Micheal Trasso gained remarkable achievements in Jiu-Jitsu during his coaching period at San Diego.
2.13. Ranked On FloGrappling
In 2018, and 2019 FloGrappling world ranking, Micheal Trasso ranked in the top 20 No-Gi Adult Black Belt Champions.
2.14. Trasso Returned to His Hometown
After gaining remarkable achievements in BJJ and Wrestling career, Trasso decided to go back to his hometown in 2020. At Lyndhurst, NJ, Trasso decided to coach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques and for this purpose, he joined hands with his old friend, Gianni Grippo who was also a world No-Gi Champion.
2.15. Role of Hudson Horizons in the Success of New Jersey Boy
Trasso teamed up with Hudson Horizon Agency to create a place where he helped others to pursue martial arts. Hudson Horizons team helped him a lot to achieve his goals. They develop the website “MichealTrasso.com” with exciting features, lessons, and designs.
2.16. The Merge
Micheal Trasso, being a passionate grappler or wrestler, started his instructional video series named “The Merge” on his website. This series is not only helpful for grapplers but also provides complete guidelines for wrestling. Its core theme is to make practitioners top-rank grapplers or wrestlers by helping them how they can utilize their wrestling techniques on a Jiu-Jitsu mat. Finally, Trasso has become a teacher in his passion. He is running his Wrestling & Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New Jersey.
2.17. Motive of Trasso’s Academy
Trasso Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling is a clean, safe, and enjoyable martial arts community for adults, teens, and children. His institution provides advanced coaching in both Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. He believed in equipping students the tools they need to grapple both on their feet and on the ground. Trasso’s Academy also helps children build confidence and self-esteem.
2.18. Historic Fights
Micheal Trasso VS Tyler Scalisi
The semi-final of the IBJJF No-Gi New Orleans was fought between Micheal Trasso and Tyler Scalisi in 2021. Trasso attempted a Kimura submission that was potentially escaped by Tyler. Both of them showed a high level of skills.
In the end, Micheal Trasso secured the 1st position by successfully applying RNC (Rare Naked Choke) submission.
Year
Event
Opponent
W/L/D
Method
Round
Weight Class
Location
2021
IBJJF No-Gi Open Championship
Tyler Scalisi
Win
RNC
1
Middleweight
New Orleans
Micheal Trasso VS Kauan Barboza
In this historic final IBJJF Championship of 2019, Micheal and Kauan Baroza faced each other. Micheal attempted complex rolling Kimura's submission, but Kauan failed to escape. However, Micheal won the title.
Year
Event
Opponent
W/L/D
Method
Round
Weight Class
Location
2019
IBJJF No-Gi Open Championship
Kauan Baroza
Win
Rolling Kimura
1
Middleweight
San Jose
3. Main Achievements In Tournaments
3.1. Gi Tournaments
NAGA NAGC National Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2000
Gold
Kids 60-69 lbs
NAGA Battle at the Beach
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2000
Gold
Kids 60-69 lbs
NAGA NAGC National Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2001
Gold
Kids 70-79 lbs
NAGA Battle at the Beach 2
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2001
Silver
Kids 70-79 lbs
Garden State Grappling Challenge
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2001
Gold
Kids 60-69 lbs
NAGA National Grappling Champion
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2002
Gold
Kids 80-89 lbs
New England Grappling Championships
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2002
Gold
Kids 70-79 lbs
NAGA Battle at the Beach 3
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2002
Gold
Kids 70-79 lbs
Copa Atlantica Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2002
Gold
Kids 70-79 lbs
New Jersey State Grappling Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2002
Gold
Kids 70-79 lbs
North American Grappling Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2003
Gold
Teens/Kids 90-99.9 lbs
Copa Atlantica Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2003
Gold
Teens/Kids 80-94.9 lbs
New England Grappling Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2003
Gold
Teens/Kids 80-89.9 lbs
NAGA Battle at the Beach 4
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2003
Gold
Teens/Kids 80-89.9 lbs
NAGA Pro-Am of Grappling
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2003
Gold
Teens/Kids 80-89.9 lbs
Challenge of Champions Freestyle Standup
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2003
Gold
Teens/Kids 80-89.9 lbs
Tiger Schulmann's Challenge of Champions
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2003
Gold
Teens/Kids 80-89.9 lbs
NAGA World Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2003
Gold
Teens/Kids 80-89.9 lbs
New England Grappling Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2004
Gold
Teens/Kids Advanced 100-114.9 lbs
NAGA North American Grappling Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2004
Gold
Teens/Kids Advanced 100-114.9 lbs
NAGA Battle At The Beach 5
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2004
Gold
Teens/Kids Advanced 100-114.9 lbs
NAGA Pro-Am Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2004
Gold
Teens/Kids Advanced 100-114.9 lbs
NAGA Chicago Open Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2004
Silver
Teens/Kids Advanced 100-114.9 lbs
NAGA World Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2004
Gold
Teens/Kids Advanced 90-99.9 lbs
Arnold Classic World Submission Championship
Year
Medal
Weight Class
2004
Gold
Teens/Kids Advanced 95-105 lbs
NAGA 10 Year Anniversary North American Grappling Championship
