Professor Mackens Semerzier received his Black Belt from the hands of 7th degree Black Belt Master Pedro Sauer in July of 2013. He was a dedicated student at Linxx Academy under the watchful eye of current Coastal BJJ owner and head instructor Professor Nestor Bayot and Linxx Academy owner and head instructor Professor Frank Cucci. Professor Semerzier dedicates a majority of his success to the training and mentorship he has received from these two well respected instructors.
Professor Semerzier proudly carried the flag of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into the MMA cage and proved the effectiveness of the “Gentle Art” against the best fighters in the world. Professor Semerzier has competed in both the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) during his MMA career. He is known as a “FINISHER” from his early amateur days in the regional area which followed him into his professional career, impressively ALL of his victories come by way of submission or stoppage by the referee. He has carried that mindset into his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and teaching philosophy. He is often quoted saying, “How real is your Jiu-Jitsu?”
Professor Semerzier retired from professional MMA in 2012 after winning the WKA featherweight title by second round submission to focus on finishing family and finishing his degree in business at Virginia Wesleyan College. In 2014 he completed an extensive and detailed instructorship program at the Gracie Academy headquarters in Torrance, California under the instruction of Rener and Ryron Gracie. Combined with his years of previous formal instruction the manner in which he can command a class is second to none.