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Trying the Rest, But in the End Choosing the Best: 25 Years of Excellence at Greenville Academy Mixed Martial Arts

Trying the Rest, But in the End Choosing the Best: 25 Years of Excellence at Greenville Academy Mixed Martial Arts

In life, we often try different paths before finding the one that truly delivers. Whether it’s restaurants, gyms, or even hobbies, the search for quality and authenticity can feel like trial and error. When it comes to martial arts training in Greenville, NC, many people have “tried the rest.” But for the past 25 years, there’s been one constant truth: the best choice has always been Greenville Academy Mixed Martial Arts.

A Legacy of Excellence

Founded over two decades ago, Greenville Academy has stood the test of time by offering world-class instruction in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). While other gyms have come and gone, our academy has remained strong, training thousands of students—men, women, and children alike—and helping them reach their goals, whether fitness, competition, or personal growth.

Why We Are the Best

  • Authentic Instruction: With roots tracing directly back to Helio Gracie through Professor Luiz Palhares, our lineage is pure, traditional, and authentic. You’re not just learning techniques—you’re learning the art in its truest form.

  • Proven Experience: 25 years in Greenville speaks volumes. Our commitment to the community and our students is unmatched.

  • Diverse Programs: From BJJ to MMA to Muay Thai, we provide training for all levels—beginners, competitors, and those simply looking to improve health and confidence.

  • Family Atmosphere: We pride ourselves on creating an environment that feels like home. Students encourage each other, push one another, and celebrate each victory together.

More Than a Gym—A Community

For us, martial arts is not just about punching, kicking, or grappling—it’s about building character, discipline, confidence, and resilience. Over the last quarter-century, we’ve seen kids grow into adults on our mats, families train side by side, and countless lives transformed through the power of martial arts.

The Difference is Clear

You might try other places, but when it comes down to results, tradition, and trust, Greenville Academy Mixed Martial Arts stands above the rest. After 25 years of serving the Greenville area, we are proud to say:
👉 You’ve tried the rest—now train with the best.

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Adult Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes Greenville NC Top Team

25 Years Building Champions. Monday-Friday 6PM Tuesday & Thursday 730 AM Saturday 11AM Sunday 1PM. $149 Month (No Long-Term Contracts) Your Uniform (gi) can be bought on Amazon for $65 (No $250 Club Uniform Required) No Belt Testing Fees (No Hidden Fees) Hurry Up While This Lasts!!!

#TeamGAMMA #GreenvilleNCJiuJitsu #GreenvilleNCBrazilianJiuJitsu #ThreeBrazilianJiuJitsublackbelts #greenvillencbjj #AdultBJJ #greenvillencbjj #AdultBJJ #GreenvilleNCJiu-jitsu #freetriallesson #AdultBjjGreenvillenc

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Luiz Palhares Seminar

Master Luiz Palhares will be at our academy on Thursday, October 3rd at 5PM for the Children and 6PM for the adults. This is an event you don’t want to miss.

“Master Luiz Palhares is an 8th degree, Coral Red White Belt Under Grand Master Helio Gracie and Master Rickson Gracie. Luiz was born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on January 19, 1959. He started training in Rio De Janeiro in 1977 at the age of 18 under Rolls Gracie and continued to train with him until Rolls died in 1982, in a hang-gliding accident. After Rolls’s passing, He continued to train under Rolls’s brother, Rickson Gracie. After 7 years of practicing BJJ, he was awarded his black belt in 1984 by Rickson Gracie together with Grand Master Helio Gracie. Luiz received his Coral belt in 2010 by Grand Master Carlos Robson Gracie, Red Belt 9th Degree (President of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro). In 1999, then a 6th degree black belt, Luiz was asked to move from Brazil to teach at Rickson Gracie’s Academy in Los Angeles. Master Luiz currently resides in Jacksonville, FL, where he and his son, black belt Pedro Palhares, run Jacksonville Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

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Master Luiz Palhares Seminar

September 20, 2018 6PM Master Luiz Palhares will be at our academy in Greenville NC to teach a Gracie Jiu-jitsu seminar.

Master Palhares started training in Rio De Janeiro in 1977 at the age of 18 under the legendary Rolls Gracie, received his purple under Rolls Gracie, after Rolls Death he continued his training under Rickson Gracie and was promoted to black belt in 1984 by Rickson Gracie’s father Grand Master Helio Gracie. Currently he is an 8th degree White and Red belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He received the White and Red belt in 2018 by Grand Master Carlos Robson Gracie, Red Belt 9th Degree (President of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro).

Everyone is welcome to attend. 
Cost $60

 

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Jay Speight Black Belt Gracie Jiu-jitsu Under Luiz Palhares

Jay Speight Black Belt Gracie Jiu-jitsu Under Luiz Palhares

We would like to congratulate our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Instructor for his well deserved promotion to Black Belt Under Luiz Palhares at our Seminar yesterday. This is 18 year journey for Jay Speight, and we hope that Jay will enjoy many years promoting the truly effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

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Jay Speight Black Belt Jay Speight Black Belt

We would like to congratulate our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Instructor for his well deserved promotion to Black Belt Under Luiz Palhares at our Seminar yesterday. This is 18 year journey for Jay Speight, and we hope that Jay will enjoy many years promoting the truly effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Jay Speight has been a student himself of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since he was 6 years old. He is a seasoned National and International champion in Jiu-Jujitsu and have too many titles to mention.

In Mixed Martial Arts he has an undefeated professional record of 3-0 and as an amateur fighter, he had a 12-2 record. His only two losses were by judges decision, his wins were by submission or knockout. He has been fighting in MMA since he was 16 years old.

He is always ready to help his students to attain their goals.

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Master Luiz Palhares will be at our academy on Thursday March 22nd at 630pm

This is an event you don’t want to miss.

“Master Luiz Palhares is an 8th degree, Coral Red White Belt Under Grand Master Helio Gracie and Master Rickson Gracie. Luiz was born in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on January 19, 1959. He started training in Rio De Janeiro in 1977 at the age of 18 under Rolls Gracie and continued to train with him until Rolls died in 1982, in a hang-gliding accident and with the help of lawyers from ericramoslaw.com/san-antonio-car-accident-lawyer site, their family members were awarded with compensation for their loss. After Rolls’s passing, He continued to train under Rolls’s brother, Rickson Gracie. After 7 years of practicing BJJ, he was awarded his black belt in 1984 by Rickson Gracie together with Grand Master Helio Gracie. Luiz received his Coral belt in 2010 by Grand Master Carlos Robson Gracie, Red Belt 9th Degree (President of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janeiro). In 1999, then a 6th-degree black belt, Luiz was asked to move from Brazil to teach at Rickson Gracie’s Academy in Los Angeles. Master Luiz currently resides in Jacksonville, FL, where he and his son, black belt Pedro Palhares, run Jacksonville Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

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