Instructors

Professor Bruno Fernandes is a 3rd degree black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. and has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for more than 23 years. He started at the age of 11 in his hometown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and never stopped. He is a proud member of the Gracie Barra Organization and had the chance to train with the best in the sport on a daily basis. All the great names of Gracie Barra influenced his game, shaping it into a unique style characterized by speed, fast transitions, flexibility and smoothness. He blends traditional moves and newly developed techniques with ease.

Bruno upholds a strong set of moral values and personal discipline. He is committed to maintaining the integrity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Besides learning jiu-jitsu at the highest level, students also learn the philosophy of the art. Respect to others and sportsmanship are some of the qualities expected from students. The Gracie Barra Family distinguishes itself from other teams not only because of the most refined technique but also because of the emphasis on moral development. Bruno considers his teammates like family and the team itself as nothing less than an immense brotherhood. He believes that jiu-jitsu is much more than a martial art, but a healthy lifestyle to be shared with people you care about.

Bruno has made his name after years of competition and accomplishments. Among other titles, he won 4 world titles, several Pan-American championships, national and regional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. It now gives him great joy to see his students thrive. Some have already been in the podium on world championships and submission grappling tournaments. Bruno’s relationship with mixed martial arts been no less outstanding. Based in Montreal, he has helped to improve the ground game of most of the top Canadian MMA fighters such as George St-Pierre, Dave Loiseau, Jonathan Goulet, Rory McDonald, John Makdessi, Alex Garcia, just to name a few.

Prof. Bruno Fernandes has a medical degree and residency training in ophthalmology. His desire to do research brought him to Montreal in 2005. Since then, he has earned a PhD degree and also underwent subspecialty training studying cancer and various pathologies of the eye at the prestigious McGill University and University of Toronto. He is now a full-time professor at McGill University and regularly publishes articles in major journals and gives presentations all over the world. Despite having a busy and successful academic career, Bruno always had time to train and teach jiu-jitsu. After deciding that Montreal was the city to settle down, opening a Gracie Barra school was a natural step. He is also the Regional Manager for Gracie Barra schools in Eastern Canada, helping Master Carlos Gracie Jr. to maintain the quality of the GB schools in the area.

Glen is currently a Black belt under Bruno Fernandes and Competes for the Gracie Barra Montreal Team, he has won multiple championships across Canada and the United States.  Glen was Also IBJJF Ranked #1 in the World for Nogi at Brown Belt for his Age and Weight Class in 2016.   A native of the West Island Glen has been involved with sports in the West since a very young age. After suffering a severe knee injury in hockey at the age of 30 he decided to give Jiu Jitsu a try and has been addicted ever since. It quickly became more than just a way to get in shape but a way to live a positive and productive lifestyle.

“Jiu Jitsu is more than just learning a martial art, it’s truly a lifestyle that has benefited me in every aspect of my life. Not only have I found it the best way to stay in shape but it’s a lot of fun! I always look forward to showing up at the academy and learning new techniques from my Teammates. I can’t imagine life without it!”

Glen has been teaching Jiu Jitsu for many years under the supervision of Bruno Fernandes at Gracie Barra Montreal and Cegep Gerald Godin in the West Island. He is also the Founder and President of Fight for Charity, a non profit organization that puts on Jiu Jitsu events to raise funds and awareness for local charities.(Montreal Childrens Hospital, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, ADAMA, Autism Foundation, Cancer research) He is also a volunteer firefighter for the city of Montreal and participates in many fundraisers across the Island.

“When people ask me what’s the hardest part about Jiu Jitsu I simply answer it’s making that first step and showing up to the academy, once you try a class and see what Gracie Jiu Jitsu is all about you’ll be hooked. It’s truly a martial art for everyone!”

Anthony Casella was born in Rochester NY and has been practicing Martial Arts since the Age of 11. He holds the ranks of brown belt in Isshin Ryu Karate, black belt in Kempo Karate, instructor rank in Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun Kung Fu, and black belt in freestyle grappling from Ron Pattyn. He joined Gracie Barra in 2012 and received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Bruno Fernandez in December of 2014.

Anthony has competed in numerous jiu-jitsu tournaments and has appeared in several martial arts books and magazines, including Martial Arts Masters. He currently lives with his family in Montreal and teaches adult and children classes at Gracie Barra West Island.”

Beginning his martial arts training in Boxing at the age of 15, Matthew trained with former world champions Otis and Howard Grant before expanding his focus into Kickboxing, Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling and finally discovering Muay Thai at 17. At the age of 20, Matthew became the BFL Middleweight Kickboxing Champion (2012 – Present) under the instruction of the world famous Kru Ash, who acts as striking coach to multiple UFC stand-outs and Muay Thai champions. Matthew is now setting his sights on the international scene and his teaching style focuses on practical techniques used in competition and real-life self defense.