June 23, 2011
Fri June 18th, Nick "The Hammer " Scianna fought a tremendous fight and scored an impressive draw(even with his ground game taken away due to the faulty cage/mat) against a super tough opponent. Fighting under terrible conditions in an outdoor arena, Nick was able to impress the judges and the promoter who mentioned to Professor Codella "that was a hell'va fight, and probably fight of the night!"
Prior to Nick's fight, and leading off the Asylum Fight card, Joe "Thiego" Peteroy destroyed his cross town Staten Island rival in what should have been an MMA fight, but was ultimately reduced to a grappling Challenge by our Team (to avoid a complete pull out by Joe's opponent). Joe, who dominated his opponent, and who also fought against the terrible ring conditions, was able to secure a super tight straight armbar in about the sixth minute of the first round. Great job Joe, grappling or MMA, the results would have ended the same, with your hand raised in the middle of the ring.
Finally, Mike "2K" Hanrahan, who trained like the warrior he is, was unable to showcase his talents due the the fights being called off due to the unbearable ring conditions. Mike, who was as ready and focused as any fighter could be, will be back this September, and will be bigger stronger and faster, and will be known then as Mike H times 4!
May 28, 2011 John Danahar,one of the most sought after BJJ /MMA instructors of recent times is givng a no gi BJJ seminar at Our Academy on June 12th at 1100. The cost is $75 for non Codella Academy members. People who wish to attend are asked to call the Academy (718) 554-4640 to reserve a spot.
April 05, 2011
Everyone, after several very impressive wins, our very own Ramy Awad is fighting for the Ring Of Combat title on April 15th. Everyone is encouraged to attend the fight and cheer on our Champion
March 27, 2011
Congratulations to Mark F and Ramy A on their impressive MMA wins Sat night. Both fighters were dominant and impressive showing amazing technique n conditioning. Big thanks to all their training partners for providing the fighters with an excellent training camp, and thank you everyone for turning out to the event and showing support for our fighters. Present at the event was well over 75 Codella Academy members encouraging and rooting for our fighters to fight hard and remember "100% BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU" Go Team Codella / Renzo !!!
March 17, 2011
EVERYONE TAKE NOTE OF OUR NEW PHONE NUMBER 718 554-4640
December 06,2010
Its that time of year again.Everyone is invited to this year's annual Christmas Party.
This year the party will be on Dec 10th from 7pm to 10 pm. We are asking everyone who attends to bring an unwrapped new toy which will be donated to the "Toys For Tots" program.
We hope to see everyone there!
November 02,2010
Guys as most of you know, Mike's book is due out Nov 9th. With a book signing at Barnes n Noble on Richmond Ave on the 11th
at 7 pm. The book (Alphaville 1988: Crime , Punishment, and the Battle For New York's Lower East Side ) has received some pretty amazing early reviews. Below is the amazon link and just two of many reviews that will hopefully help turn the book into a best seller.
Former NYPD officer Codella's memoir opens with his childhood in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where kids mostly chose to become cops or criminals. While Codella had his share of youthful indiscretions, he followed his father into New York's Housing Police Department, where he and his partner thrived on the excitement of patrolling housing projects and battling the out-of-control drug trade. Codella has delivered an unflinching look at the challenges cops face and how he worked the system. Even while envisioning the television series or movie this book cries out for, readers will debate whether Codella's policing style-not always following the NYPD's Patrol Guide and telling assistant district attorneys what they needed to hear to make their cases-was justified, or if this is a rogue-cop story. VERDICT From dodging Internal Affairs and a hit ordered by a drug kingpin to making a huge dent in New York's drug trade, Codella's life makes for a real page-turner. This should be popular with true crime readers whether or not they agree with him that the ends justified the means. Highly recommended.-Karen Sandlin Silverman, Ctr. for Applied Research, Philadelphia
"A blistering cop's-eye view of the Drug War during the heady years of the late-1980s. Codella and Bennett take the reader down alleyways and into shooting galleries, capturing the mood and patter of a time when a cop nicknamed Rambo and a gang of smack dealers called the Forty Thieves were caught in a dance to the death. You will feel as though you are pounding the pavement and dodging bullets. Alphaville is the real deal." - T.J. English, New York Times bestselling author of Havana Nocturne and The Westies
October 18,2010
September 24,2010
EVERYONE, due to the move down the block (to 3729 Victory Blvd), The Acdemy will be closed from Sept. 29th to Sat Oct 2nd. The Academy will be re-opened on Sunday Oct 3rd.
Training will resume that day, AND in addition we will be hosting an OPEN HOUSE that day from 11:30 - 1:30. Everyone is invited to bring a friend to the Academy and let them look around and check out some training.
September 12,2010
BIG NEWS FOR TEAM CODELLA / RENZO GRACIE, WE ARE MOVING TO 3729 VICTORY BLVD (near the ball field, where the oak furniture store used to be).
We will now have over 10,000 Square foot of space to roll, box, wrestle, and train in. The new Academy will have a Boxing Ring, A Cage, more heavy bags and exercise equipment, and over 2500 square feet of blue jiu jitsu mat to "pray on", as Master Renzo Gracie would say.
So Guys get ready to train in our new incredible facility with the toughest Team of fighters anywhere on the East Coast, and remember this quote from Syd Harris: "Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it's regret for the things we didn't do that is inconsolable." Now get to the Academy and TRAIN!
August 07, 2010
Guys great news for members of our Academy. Now, not only do we have Caoch Darin, Nick Scianna, Mark Feliccia, and Ro helping you guys with your standup, we now have former professional boxer and kickboxer Tommy Cammarano joining Our Team. For those of you that don't know Tommy, he was not only a highly ranked boxer, but was also ranked #1 in his weight class in the USA for kickboxing. Also as a side note, Tommy is coming off of training and coaching his son Anthony to not one, but two Gloden Gloves champioships! Welcome aboard Tommy we're both glad and proud to have you.
July 17,2010
This past Friday night the Renzo Gracie Academy held its annual promotion night, where all the students (including all the associations) get their well deserved belts. Tonight was very special for the Codella Academy, as our own Mike Codella was awarded his Black Belt Stripe (2nd Degree BB) from Renzo Gracie. It signifies Mike's dedication to teaching and spreading the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Last night another belt promotion that has a lot of significance to us, our long time friend and training partner Mark Conroy received his brown belt. This was long overdue and we look forward to seeing him show off his new belt at the academy.
Please take time this week to congratulate Mike and Mark on the their well deserved promotions..give them a big hug as Renzo would say!
Gerry
Guys, this summer has been a hot bed of activity for guys from Our Academy. Not only have our teammates been competing in grappling competitions all over the East Coast, but Our Fight Team has seen the likes of Mike Katz perfecting his Jiu Jitsu skills as he dominated his opponent in a recent MMA bout. Also, Nick Scianna, and Mike Bergen recently fought some hard cage battles in
Atlantic City and Sayerville New Jersey. Furthermore, both Ramy Awad, and our man Chez Budgell both won their MMA debut fights not only in impressive style, but both fighters did so without ever having to throw a punch!
Now that's what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about!!!
Renzo and Rickson would both be proud. Like we say 100% BJJ.
April 25,2010
Once again our Academy proved why we are one of the best Academies around. The stands were full of Team Codella / Renzo students who rooted and applauded so loud that the arena shook when our very own Mark Fileccia stepped up and decisively beat his opponent in a hard fought 3 round fight held on April 24 th in Deer Park, Long Island.
Congratulations Mark and thanks to everyone who came out, those that wished Mark well, and those that helped Mark train. GREAT JOB GUYS you make the Academy what it is!
April 19,2010
Big News guys, for the following Fridays -- 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21-- at 6:30 pm, professional personal trainer and Codella Academy Team mate , Jimmy Lopez, will be giving fitness and exercise clinics at our Academy. All members are welcome to attend free of charge, and train with one of the best trainers around. If you guys missed Jimmy's classes a few months ago, here's another chance to get in the best shape of your lives. The clinics will focus on specific area such as strength, cardio, and endurance. To get a better idea of some of the things you guys will be in for, check out Jimmy's site, at http://primalfitnessmbg.com/ , or better yet go and get a workout in at his training facility. Either way, we'll see you guys at the Academy Friday evening at 6:30 pm.
Also guys don't forget that Mike Awad, who most recently won another Gold medal at Grapplers Quest and went un scored upon while doing so, will resume the wresting program at our Academy every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. Don't miss the chance to improve your skills!
April 08,2010
Everyone don't forget to root for Master Renzo this weekend as he makes his return to MMA, and his UFC debut. Here's a pic of Mike after getting in some hard training with Renzo in preperation for the fight.
March 31,2010
Guys, I want to take the time to congratulate everyone from our Academy who did so well at the recent tournament. You guys were able to rack up a number of medals, and everyone who competed fought hard! Keep up the great work and keep making us proud.
The Codella Academy would also like to congratulate Ricardo Almieda and George St Pierre, both members of the Renzo Gracie Family and Fight Team. Great job on their impressive wins on the recent UFC card!
Guys Professors Mike and Gerry would like to take this time to thank the Valente Brothers, Master Renzo, and his cousin Rickson for allowing them to be guests at Rickson's recent seminar held in Miami at the Valente Brothers amazing Jiu Jitsu Academy. As everyone who has ever tried on a Jiu Jitsu Gi knows, Rickson Gracie is a true living legend. His fighting skills along with his philosophy on life and Jiu Jitsu is an inspiration and the true essence of Jiu Jitsu.
Oct.1, 2009
Guys if you have a few minutes, take the time to check out the short documentary Time Warner Cable did on our Academy. Click on the You Tube link below.
Sept.28, 2009
Thanks to Will's awesome camera, we were able to capture Master Renzo's instructional. Check it out!
Sept.22, 2009
GUYS IF YOU HAVE TIME WARNER CABLE CHECK OUT CHANNEL 1111 THEN GO TO AROUND N.Y. THEN SCROLL UP TO INITIATIVES EXCHANGE. THE ACADEMY IS FEATURED IN A 15 MINUTE SHOW.
Sept.22, 2009
BIG CONGRATS TO OUR GUYS WHO WERE PROMOTED TO PURPLE BELT WITH RENZO GRACIE'S BLESSING. WILLIE COUCHON, FRANKIE TORTORELLO, RAMY AWAD, JOE PETEROY, AND OF COURSE JOE COLLINS WHO PROUDLY RECEIVED HIS WELL DESERVED BROWN BELT. GREAT JOB GUYS!!!
Check out the Gallery for some pictures of the special event................
June 11, 2009
Guys here's a couple of moves you can check out on youtube!
April 18, 2009
Professor Mike Codella was given an award by all his students on Thursday night. The award was in a appreciation for all that he has done to bring Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to Staten Island and for working hard to bring us a facility we call our second home. The night also celebrates our 1 year anniversary at our Victory Boulevard location!
Thanks again to Professor Mike for building the "family" atmosphere and making sure it thrives within the academy.........
April 07, 2009
Congrats to all the guys that competed in the NAGE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP April 4, and 5th (check the gallery for pics soon). Many of our guys won medals for our Academy, and ALL of our Team members fought hard! Remember guys the following applies often in life, but always in Jiu Jitsu!
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
November 28, 2008
Guys I want to thank all of you who attended the Professor Ricardo Almeida seminar. Professor Almeida showed some great stuff and reminded us all what being a member of TEAM RENZO means. Don't forget guys, all the money raised was donated to the GRACE FOUNDATION of New York for autism. Thanks for the support.
The following week, Mike Codella was invited to attend a promotional ceremony at Professor Ricardo Almeida's Academy. Below are some pictures of the event. Check the gallery page for more pictures.
Professor Mike Codella stands with Jiu Jitsu royalty Master Renzo Gracie, and former UFC Champ Professor Matt Serra.
Professor Mike Codella sits in the front row at the Black Belt ceremony with Professors Matt Serra, Master Renzo Gracie, Professor John Danahar, and Professor Ricardo Almeida.
November 13, 2008
"Our star John (between instructors Will and Frank) from our Junior Team, brings home a medal from the NAGA event. GREAT JOB JOHN!!!
November 12, 2008
Everyone, make sure to check out this week's Thursday Nov 13 th Staten Island Advance, the AWE section will have an article on the upcoming Ricardo Almeida seminar being held at our Academy on the 15th.
