Jeff Messina started his training in December of 1997 with Saul Soliz. Saul was at the forefront of training mma champions under grueling conditions. The early days with Saul were tough and memorable. Jeff has had the opportunity to train with such fighters as Tim Credeur, Tito Ortiz, Rico Rodriguez, Yves Edwards, Kevin Randleman, Coleman and Kerr in order to prepare them for UFC and Pride. Jeff became more passionate about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after traveling to Rio de Janeiro of 02 to train with Fransico Albuquerque (Toco) and the students at Nova Geracao (Cyborg, Pulga, Mangabeira, Tim Maia,etc). Jeff soon met Rodrigo Medeiros, a Carlson Gracie 5th Degree Blackbelt, whom he eventually earned his black belt under in 2008 after winning the nationals in Los Angeles. Jeff is currently a 3rd degree black belt Under Rodrigo Medeiros and Judo Black belt under Jaime Lazcano. Jeff continunously travels,trains and competes as a means to constantly educate himself as a fighter and Professor. Having trained in all the functional styles, Jeff is a well rounded fighter but feels BJJ is the most effective martial art as well as lifestyle and culture. Jeff is a graduate of University of Houston and resides in Katy with his sons Noah, and Adrian and wife Veronica. Jeff also proudly serves his country and state as a member of the Texas Army National Guard. Jeff wishes to share what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has done in his own life and what it will do for everyone to improve every aspect of life no matter age or gender.
Jeff is a third degree black belt certified by the IBJJF (having gone through a criminal background check, CPR certifications and IBJJF rules meetings).
Jeff is a graduate of the Army Combative Master Training Course.
Jeff holds a first degree black belt in Judo (Shodan)
1999 Battle at the Beach Vale Tudo – Gold Light Heavyweight 2001 Houston Submission Challenge – Gold Heavy Weight GI / Silver Heavy Weight No-Gi 2003 Carlos Machado Winter Wars – Bronze Blue Belt 2003 Smack Down in H-Town – Gold Middle Weight No-Gi 2003 Carlos Machado BJJ Open – Gold Blue Belt 2003 Battle of H-Town – Gold Advance Middle Weight 2003 World Championships in Rio “Mudials 2003” Competitor 2003 Texas Shoot Out – Gold Gi Middle Weight/ Bronze Open Division No-Gi 2004 Carlos Machado Winter Wars – Silver Purple Belt 2005 Texas International Grappling Festival – Gold Gi Cruiser Weight/ Advanced/Purple/Brown/Black Division 2006 Carlos Machado Winter Wars – Bronze Purple Belt Heavyweight 2006 Pan American – Competitor Purple Belt 2006 Fight Fest Corpus Christi(Pro MMA) Won via Rear Naked Choke 1:55 R 1 2006 Mundial Competitor Brown Belt 2007 Carlson Gracie Open 2 – Silver Open Weight Class 2008 Pan Americans – Silver Brown Belt Medium Heavy 2008 Brown Belt Absolute National IBJJF Champion 2009 NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS(MMA) Win via Triangle 2010 GFA (Global Fighting Alliance MMA) Win via Armbar 2010 Pan Americans – Black Belt Bronze 2010 Grapplers Quest – Gold 2010 US Nationals – Bronze Absolute Class 2010 Battle of HTown – Black Belt Superfight Champion 2010 No Gi World Championships – Gold Black Belt Master 2011 IBJJF Dallas Open – Bronze Medal Masters 2011 IBJJF Dallas Open – Silver Absolute Black Belt Masters 2011 Alamo Judo Classic – Double Gold Black Belt Master and Adult 2012 IBJJF Dallas Open – Silver 2013 IBJJF Houston Open – Silver 2013 Fort Sill Army Combative – Middle Weight Champion 2013 IBJJF American Nationals – Gold 2013 IBJJF Miami Open – Silver Black Belt Absolute Division 2014 IBJJF Dallas Open – Silver Medal 2014 Naga- Black Belt Champion 2014 IBJFF Boston Open – Double Gold 2015 IBJJF Houston OPEN Silver Medal Absolute (Close Out for Gold) 2015 IBJJF Austin Open Gold Medal 2015 IBJJF Dallas Open Gold Medal Black Belt Medium 2016 IBJJF PAN AM Bronze Medal 2016 Houston Open Judo Black Belt Masters Champion 2017 IBJJF San Jose Middle Heavy Gold Medal 2017 IBJJF Mexico City Double Gold Open Black Belt 2017 IBJJF Rome Open Gold 2019 IBJJF Charlotte Open Middle Heavy Gold Medal 2019 IBJJF Nashville Open Silver Medal 2020 Submission Hunter Pro 58 Superfight Champ 2022 New Orleans Super Open Silver Medal 2022 IBJJF Boise Open Double Gold 2022 European Masters Champion
