SAIGON LUTA-LIVRE & BJJ teaches easy-to-follow grappling classes in an organized, safe, and fun way. We are beginner-friendly as we focus on fundamental techniques that work for all body types. At SLL&BJJ you'll learn detailed escape routes and counterattacks ideal for self-defense situations and growing confident on the mat! If you’re a tenured grappler you will appreciate coach Erik’s advanced detail instruction.
It’s your choice to learn grappling wearing NoGi, Gi, or both. (NoGi and Gi will be expressed as Luta-Livre(LL) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu(BJJ) respectively.) If your goal is to be a competitor we will provide you with the training, resources, and strategies to help prepare you.
Grappling Benefits:
- Self-Defense - Flexibility & Balance - Confidence
- MMA - Weight Loss - Concentration
- Fight Shape - Functional Strength - Stress Reduction!
- Friendships - Cardio & Endurance - Great Night-Sleep!
No matter your goals and training needs we’ll be here to promote your success while bringing a shot of positivity to your life!
It’s your choice to learn grappling wearing NoGi, Gi, or both. (NoGi and Gi will be expressed as Luta-Livre(LL) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu(BJJ) respectively.) If your goal is to be a competitor we will provide you with the training, resources, and strategies to help prepare you.
Grappling Benefits:
- Self-Defense - Flexibility & Balance - Confidence
- MMA - Weight Loss - Concentration
- Fight Shape - Functional Strength - Stress Reduction!
- Friendships - Cardio & Endurance - Great Night-Sleep!
No matter your goals and training needs we’ll be here to promote your success while bringing a shot of positivity to your life!
HISTORY of Saigon Luta-Livre & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Coach Erik (founder) moved to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam in May of 2012 with the dream of eventually running a full time grappling Academy for both local Vietnamese and expats. His first breaks into the marketplace came on the same day in June 2012 from THE GYM and Bao Anh Cascaduer. BAC is HCMC's most prestigious stunt man academy. Saigon Luta-Livre & BJJ taught only Luta-Livre at that point in time. At the end of 2012 Saigon Luta-Livre & BJJ moved to Tran Quang Dieu street in District 3 and ran a full time club.
In fact, Erik has been developing students in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Luta-Livre ("Catch") since 2010. Erik is good at communicating grappling concepts and techniques through simple and hard to forget analogies. He teaches very nuanced techniques as the student advances. His approach reinforces MMA and self-defense programs. Besides grappling Erik's passions are spending time with his fiancé Bella, reading about the universe, living a cafe lifestyle with friends, and making videos. His other sports passion is Whiffleball™
Coach Erik started martial arts at Fairtex gym San Francisco in Mid 2006 where he practiced Muay Thai and boxing for over a year but eventually fell prey to the BJJ & MMA quick sands in July 2007 with original coach Alex "The Russian Crusher" Serdyukov.
In 2008, Erik moved to the South Bay Area (CA) and started training at Fairtex Mountain View under Leopoldo Serao who remains his sensei today. While many schools focus on techniques which require youth and athleticism Leopoldo carries forward a tradition of pressure control from top and high percentage guard work which can be used effectively by both young and old, weak and strong. Erik also teaches in this style.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt - Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Luis Carlos Mateus > Leopoldo Serao > Erik Koehne
Brazilian Luta-Livre Brown Belt - Lineage: Flavio Molina & Carlos Brunocilla > Eugenio Tadeu > Leopoldo Serao > Erik Koehne
King of the Yellow Belts - 2009
Grapplers Quest - Gold Medal 2009
Bangkok BJJ Open - Gold Medal 2012
In fact, Erik has been developing students in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Luta-Livre ("Catch") since 2010. Erik is good at communicating grappling concepts and techniques through simple and hard to forget analogies. He teaches very nuanced techniques as the student advances. His approach reinforces MMA and self-defense programs. Besides grappling Erik's passions are spending time with his fiancé Bella, reading about the universe, living a cafe lifestyle with friends, and making videos. His other sports passion is Whiffleball™
Coach Erik started martial arts at Fairtex gym San Francisco in Mid 2006 where he practiced Muay Thai and boxing for over a year but eventually fell prey to the BJJ & MMA quick sands in July 2007 with original coach Alex "The Russian Crusher" Serdyukov.
In 2008, Erik moved to the South Bay Area (CA) and started training at Fairtex Mountain View under Leopoldo Serao who remains his sensei today. While many schools focus on techniques which require youth and athleticism Leopoldo carries forward a tradition of pressure control from top and high percentage guard work which can be used effectively by both young and old, weak and strong. Erik also teaches in this style.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt - Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Luis Carlos Mateus > Leopoldo Serao > Erik Koehne
Brazilian Luta-Livre Brown Belt - Lineage: Flavio Molina & Carlos Brunocilla > Eugenio Tadeu > Leopoldo Serao > Erik Koehne
King of the Yellow Belts - 2009
Grapplers Quest - Gold Medal 2009
Bangkok BJJ Open - Gold Medal 2012
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What are Brazilian Luta-Livre & BJJ? Both are grappling arts that focus on taking down and controling the opponent on the ground by using leverage, weight, frames, and balance. Then, while retaining control, the end goal is to submit the opponent through pressure, chokes, slicers, cranks, or joint locks. Neither BJJ or BLL is limited to a set "system" of techniques but rather focus on using and teaching what works most simply and effectively at any given time to defeat any given opponent considering body type and other factors. That being said, some techniques are made illegal for sportive battle in order to prevent high-risk injury for less experienced grapplers. * BJJ uses pants and kimono. Grips can be made on clothing. Either yours or your opponent's jacket may be used for chokes. ** BLL is near-pure grappling where shirts and pants or shorts are worn but not grabbed onto.
(Erik's belt promotion day. Left to Right: Sanzio Garcia, Erik Koehne, Leopoldo Serão)
Serao's Accomplishments
5x Brazilian Champion of luta-livre
5x State Champion of luta-livre
3x champion of luta-livre
3x Champion of Duel of Titans submission
2x best grappler in the 175-185 pounds category in Brazil
(chosen by media specialist and results, and grapplers)
Submission grappling record 320-30-0
With a professional MMA record of 16-7-2 with 13 of them
by submission, having already fought in major events such as:
CVI (BRAZIL), MECA (BRAZIL), SHOOTO (JAPAN), IFL (USA),
PFC (USA) and also defended twice the team Gracie in the
Gracie Fighting mma Challenge (USA).
Serao's Accomplishments
5x Brazilian Champion of luta-livre
5x State Champion of luta-livre
3x champion of luta-livre
3x Champion of Duel of Titans submission
2x best grappler in the 175-185 pounds category in Brazil
(chosen by media specialist and results, and grapplers)
Submission grappling record 320-30-0
With a professional MMA record of 16-7-2 with 13 of them
by submission, having already fought in major events such as:
CVI (BRAZIL), MECA (BRAZIL), SHOOTO (JAPAN), IFL (USA),
PFC (USA) and also defended twice the team Gracie in the
Gracie Fighting mma Challenge (USA).
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