Michael Trasso - Elite BJJ Grappler & Coach

Michael Trasso is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Regis Lebre and a member of the Gracie Humaitá San Diego, who has also done a lot of work with coaches like Mike MrKulic (late) and Jerry Jones. Trasso has 20 years of competitive experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. He has received more than 55 medals and a Black Belt.

The great instructor, grappler, and world-recognized wrestler was born on 29, August 1990 in Lyndhurst, NJ, United States. Trasso was shy during childhood, so his kindergarten mentor advised him to enroll in sports to cope with his shyness.

Trasso: a former child grappling prodigy was featured in Kids Sports illustrated Magazine in 2003 where he was ranked as the apex kid. He also received a “Top Teen Grappler” award from the Grappling Hall of Fame Gala (NAGA 2005).

Trasso has had a deep affection for Bruce Lee since his childhood, and his martial arts movies fascinate Trosso’s soul. The admiration of Bruce Lee's work led Trasso to the mat. He started his grappling career in 1995 at the age of 5.

Micheal Trasso joined Rising Sun Martial Arts Academy in his hometown, Lyndhurst New Jersey. Michael began learning "Freestyle Jiu Jitsu" at the academy, a Japanese-style Jiu Jitsu that combines catch wrestling and sambo. After joining Jiu-Jitsu Academy, this art became his passion.

Jerry Jones was the coach at Rising Sun Martial Arts and the one who trained Trasso and prepared him for his early progression in submission wrestling (1995-2003). After eight years of elite training and hard work, Micheal received his Black Belt from Jerry Jones at Rising Sun Martial Arts.

In 2003, Micheal started BJJ training with the student of Mike MrKulic. (Louis Vintaloro, and a representative of the Royler Gracie & David) 

In 2001, Michael started his wrestling career under head coach Scott Weaver at Saint Mary's & Queen of Peace High School, as well as taking individual training from Purdue University All-American Jason Silverstein. Michael attributes his wrestling progress and ultimate potential to Silverstein. Michael's team went on to win three State Championships, and he was also a District 16 Winner, Region 4 Title holder, and NJSIAA State Qualifier in high school.

In 2005, Trasso added kick / Muay Thai boxing to his training routine, a combat style of mixed martial arts he has learned from Dave Tirelli, a well-known coach who trained big names in martial arts like Bellator Champion Lyman Good, Jimmie Rivera, Nick Pace, and Uriah Hall.

In 2008, the head wrestling coach of the RI (Rhode Island College Anchormen), Jay Jones, called Michael with an allusive offer. After joining the college, Trasso devoted most of his time to wrestling for the next 5 years, while he never lost track of his BJJ training objectives.

At Rhode Island College, Trasso served as Anchorman 141- ponder for 3 years and then in 2011, ranked # 9 in the nation. Trossso ended his wrestling career at college as 4 times “All New England Medalist” with 229 career takedowns. After One year of his big achievement, in 2012, he became the 12th wrestler in wrestling history who successfully earned 100+ victories.

After completing graduation in 2013, Trasso got a full-time job in the IT sector at Hope High School as an assistant wrestling coach in Providence, RI. However, his passion for BJJ never ended. In his leisure time, Michael actively joins training with Jimmy Connor and Tim Burrill (TBBJJ).

In 2016, Michael accepted a job offer in the Californian city of San Diego. This opportunity made it easy for Michael to move to one of the largest grappling centers in the world. In San Diego, Trasso trained under the guidance of Regis Lebre; team leader of Gracie Humaitá.

Micheal Trasso gained remarkable achievements in Jiu-Jitsu during his coaching period at San Diego.

In 2018, and 2019 FloGrappling world ranking, Micheal Trasso ranked in the top 20 No-Gi Adult Black Belt Champions.

After gaining remarkable achievements in BJJ and Wrestling career, Trasso decided to go back to his hometown in 2020. At Lyndhurst, NJ, Trasso decided to coach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques and for this purpose, he joined hands with his old friend, Gianni Grippo who was also a world No-Gi Champion.

Trasso teamed up with Hudson Horizon Agency to create a place where he helped others to pursue martial arts. Hudson Horizons team helped him a lot to achieve his goals. They develop the website “MichealTrasso.com” with exciting features, lessons, and designs.

Micheal Trasso, being a passionate grappler or wrestler, started his instructional video series named “The Merge” on his website. This series is not only helpful for grapplers but also provides complete guidelines for wrestling. Its core theme is to make practitioners top-rank grapplers or wrestlers by helping them how they can utilize their wrestling techniques on a Jiu-Jitsu mat. Finally, Trasso has become a teacher in his passion. He is running his Wrestling & Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New Jersey.

Trasso Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling is a clean, safe, and enjoyable martial arts community for adults, teens, and children. His institution provides advanced coaching in both Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. He believed in equipping students the tools they need to grapple both on their feet and on the ground. Trasso’s Academy also helps children build confidence and self-esteem.

The semi-final of the IBJJF No-Gi New Orleans was fought between Micheal Trasso and Tyler Scalisi in 2021. Trasso attempted a Kimura submission that was potentially escaped by Tyler. Both of them showed a high level of skills.

In the end, Micheal Trasso secured the 1st position by successfully applying RNC (Rare Naked Choke) submission.

In this historic final IBJJF Championship of 2019, Micheal and Kauan Baroza faced each other. Micheal attempted complex rolling Kimura's submission, but Kauan failed to escape. However, Micheal won the title.

• 1st Place IBJJF San Jose Open No-Gi Champion
• 2nd Place IBJJF Pans No-Gi Champion
• 2nd Place IBJJF Las Vegas Open No-Gi Champion
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pans No-Gi Champion
• 1st Place ADCC North American Trails 
• 1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship No-Gi
• 1st Place Grapplers Quest US Nationals
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Champion
• 3rd Place IBJJF World No-Gi Champion
• Ranked Top 20 No Gi Adult Black Belts in the World (2018,2019)
• 2020 No-Gi Superfight Winner

• Former Wrestler at Rhode Island College
• 12th Place Wrestler in Rhode Island College Wrestling History to Earn 100+ Career Victories Milestone
• 3rd Place in NJSIAA Wrestling District 16 Championship
• 1st Place in NJSIAA Wrestling District 16 Championship
• 1st Place in NJSIAA Wrestling Region 4 Championship
• 2nd Place in NCAA Wrestling Roger Williams Invitational
• 4th Place in NCAA Wrestling Doug Parker Springfield Invitational
• 4th Place in NCAA Wrestling Rochester Institute of Technology Invitational
• 4x NEWS (New England) Conference Medalist
• 2nd Place NCAA Wrestling Citrus Duals Invitational
• 4th Place NCAA Wrestling Doug Parker Springfield Invitational
• 3rd Place NCAA Wrestling New England Conference Championship
• 2nd Place NCAA Wrestling Ursinus Invitational (2010)
• 6th Place NCAA Wrestling New England Conference Championship (2010)
• 3rd NCAA Wrestling Doug Parker Springfield Invitational (2010)
• 2nd Place NCAA Wrestling Citrus Duals Invitational (2010)
• 5th Place NCAA Wrestling New England Conference Championship (2011)
• 1st Place NCAA Wrestling Roger Williams Invitational (2011)
• 4th Place NCAA Wrestling Doug Parker Springfield Invitational (2011, 2012)
• 3rd Place NCAA Wrestling New England Conference Championship (2012)

Michael Trasso VS Andre Gois / Pan NoGi Championship 2020

Michael Trasso vs Marcelo Mafra / Las Vegas Summer Open 2018

Michael Trasso vs Tyler Scalisi - 2021 IBJJF No Gi New Orleans Open

Alexander Lane v Michael Trasso / New Orleans Open 2021

Dante Leon vs Michael Trasso / Pan NoGi 2018

Michael Trasso vs Kauan Barboza / San Jose Open 2019

Photo credit: @trassojjw , @themergeonline