Jeff Messina
Jeff Messina opened Revolution Dojo before earning his BJJ black belt and later awarded that rank to his own judo teacher.
Biography
Sources for this profile
Revolution Dojo, instructor biographies.(opens in a new tab)
Messina began training with Saul Soliz in December 1997.
Where in the source: Jeff biography, opening sentence
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His early training environment included helping prepare fighters such as Tim Credeur, Tito Ortiz, Rico Rodriguez and Yves Edwards for UFC and Pride competition.
Where in the source: Jeff biography, first paragraph
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A 2002 trip to Rio de Janeiro to train with Francisco Albuquerque, known as Toco, at Nova Geração strengthened his interest in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Where in the source: Jeff biography, second paragraph
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Rodrigo Medeiros awarded Messina his black belt in 2008 after his American Nationals success.
Where in the source: Jeff biography, paragraph following Rio trip
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Messina also earned a judo black belt under Jaime Lazcano and completed the Army Combative Master Training Course.
Where in the source: Jeff biography and qualification lines
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Veronica Mota received her BJJ black belt from Messina in 2017 and teaches women’s jiu-jitsu and self-defence at Revolution.
Where in the source: Veronica Mota instructor biography
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Revolution Dojo Houston, About Us.(opens in a new tab)
Messina is the head BJJ coach at Revolution Dojo Houston and a black belt under Rodrigo Medeiros.
Where in the source: Meet the Team, Jeff Messina card
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The Houston academy identifies Messina as a fourth-degree BJJ black belt.
Where in the source: Jeff Messina coach biography
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Jaime Lazcano, who taught Messina judo, is himself a BJJ black belt under Messina and teaches both disciplines at the Houston school.
Where in the source: Jeff and Jaime coach entries
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BJJ Revolution Team, Our Instructors.(opens in a new tab)
BJJ Revolution Team’s instructor roster lists Messina as a fourth-degree black belt with 2008 as his black-belt year.
Where in the source: Black-belt roster, Jeff Messina entry
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Revolution Dojo, homepage.(opens in a new tab)
Messina owns and teaches at Revolution Dojo, whose locations include Houston and Katy.
Where in the source: Coach panel and locations section
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Tim Credeur credited training at Revolution and his work with Messina as important in developing his jiu-jitsu and MMA career.
Where in the source: Named Tim Credeur testimonial
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Moya Brand, Husband & Wife Team Veronica and Jeff Messina, 3 November 2016.(opens in a new tab)
He opened his first gym in 2005 with Yves Edwards and Tim Credeur; by 2016 he had opened in Katy and moved the original location to downtown Houston.
Where in the source: Opening paragraph
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In the 2016 Moya profile, Messina described balancing academy work with Army National Guard service and said that the demands of his unit helped him develop as a leader and fighter.
Where in the source: Paragraphs about National Guard service and its effect on teaching
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Revolution Dojo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programme.(opens in a new tab)
The BJJ programme he leads combines gi and no-gi training with judo and wrestling.
Where in the source: Opening programme paragraph
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Juan Santiago, Fat Boy Invades Houston, 20 June 2014.(opens in a new tab)
Visitor Juan Santiago described a 2014 Katy class with warm-ups, repeated sweep practice and sparring; Messina also rolled with him and offered adjustments to his game.
Where in the source: Account of Monday training at Katy, after Houston visit
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Katy Magazine, Holly Leger, Heart of a Champion, August/September2015.(opens in a new tab)
In a 2015 Katy Magazine profile of student Kayla De Leon, Messina emphasised her determination and tenacity as qualities that helped her succeed in competition.
Where in the source: Page102, coach paragraph at end of student profile
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IBJJF, American National Championship2008 official results.(opens in a new tab)
At the 2008 American Nationals he won male Master1 brown-belt open class and placed third at super heavyweight.
Where in the source: Master1 / Brown / Male: Super Heavy and Open Class tables
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IBJJF, World No-Gi Championship2010 official results.(opens in a new tab)
He won male Master2 black-belt middleweight at the 2010 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship.
Where in the source: Master2 / Black / Male / Middle, full podium
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IBJJF, Pan Championship2010 official results.(opens in a new tab)
He took male Master2 black-belt medium-heavyweight bronze at the 2010 Pan Championship.
Where in the source: Master2 / Black / Male / Medium Heavy, full podium
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