Coach Bren Wins First Black Belt Tournament at NAGA Grand Rapids

Manistee Combat Academy had a big weekend on the mats.

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Coach Bren competed at the NAGA Grand Rapids No-Gi & Gi Grappling Championship at MSA Sporthouse in Norton Shores, Michigan. The event was hosted by the North American Grappling Association, one of the most recognized grappling tournament organizations in the country.

Coach Bren stepped into his first tournament as a black belt and walked out as the 179.9 division champion.

For anyone outside the grappling world, earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is already a major accomplishment. It takes years of training, discipline, consistency, problem-solving, and pressure testing. Competing at black belt is another level entirely.

At black belt, there are no easy rounds. Everyone is experienced. Everyone understands positioning, timing, pressure, and how to capitalize on mistakes.

That is what makes this win special.

Coach Bren did not just show up. He performed. He trusted his training, won his matches, and represented Manistee Combat Academy with focus, composure, and skill.

Leading From the Front

One of the most important things a coach can do is lead by example.

At MCA, our students are not just hearing about discipline, work ethic, and commitment. They are training under coaches who continue to test themselves, grow, compete, and stay active in the art.

That matters.

When kids, beginners, and experienced students step onto the mat, they are learning more than technique. They are learning how to handle pressure. They are learning how to stay calm when things get difficult. They are learning how to keep showing up, even when the room gets uncomfortable.

Coach Bren’s championship is a strong example of that.

He put himself in a high-pressure competition environment, competed against skilled opponents, and came out on top.

A Big Win for Manistee Jiu-Jitsu

This win is also a big moment for the growing jiu-jitsu and grappling community in Manistee.

Manistee Combat Academy is proud to bring structured martial arts training to the area, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, wrestling, boxing, and kids martial arts classes.

Coach Bren’s performance at NAGA Grand Rapids shows that serious training does not only happen in big cities. High-level martial arts are being built right here in Manistee.

For local students, that means access to coaching from people who understand real competition, real pressure, and the long-term process of improvement.

Whether someone is brand new to jiu-jitsu, looking for kids classes, interested in self-defense, or working toward competition, MCA is creating a place where students can build confidence, discipline, and skill.

Congratulations, Coach Bren

Everyone at Manistee Combat Academy is proud of Coach Bren for earning this championship and representing the team with professionalism and heart.

First tournament as a black belt.
First place finish.
179.9 champion.

That is a big statement.

Congratulations, Coach Bren. We are proud to have you leading from the front.

Train With Manistee Combat Academy

Interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, grappling, boxing, or martial arts training in Manistee?

Manistee Combat Academy offers classes for kids and adults in a supportive, structured training environment. Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, confidence, competition, or finding a strong community, we would love to have you on the mat.

Contact Manistee Combat Academy today to learn more about our class schedule and start training.