About Us

Want to know more about Black Tie Jiu-Jitsu…

How it started

Head Coach Brett Sbardella started his Martial Arts journey in 2007, the summer after graduating High School. It didn’t take long for him to get his start in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition. In fact, from the summer of 2007 to March of 2009, he accumulated an impressive Amateur record of (20-4-1), capturing the Combat-X Welterweight, CAAFL & UCF Middleweight Championships. Fighting an assortment of who’s who from around the Midwest, he quickly realized the importance of having a real understanding for the ground game before making the Pro transition. So, he sought out the tutelage of Eddie Bravo and his unique 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system to help him grow. He Won his Professional debut by Submission on 3/14/09, and received his Blue Belt on 3/16/09 from Eddie Bravo himself shortly after. Eventually earning his Purple Belt in the summer of 2013 and opening a 10th Planet ‘Hot Box’ affiliated school. Leading to 7 years strong learning the intricate No-Gi details that make the rubber guard, truck, and other 10th Planet coined positions so useful for both BJJ and MMA competition. After having success on the regional scene in the Midwest, seeking a higher level of competition quickly became the overall goal, which is what led him and a Cheryl Jacob out to North Carolina. After a stellar performance from Cheryl, where she actually received her Blue Belt, Brett was humbled very quickly in the first round by an amazing practitioner named Corey Brown. Having been submitted for the first time competitively in years, a friendly conversation occurred shortly about the mistakes he had made that led to Corey landing the clean sub & what he should have done differently. Hitting it off like old pals that had known each other from grade school, the two exchanged phone numbers and both went their respective ways. Corey back to Florida, and Brett to Michigan. It didn’t take long before a training session was set up, and the rest is history from there. Leading to a change of BJJ affiliation, and eventually opening the first Black Tie Jiu-Jitsu affiliated school outside of Corey’s two schools in Florida.

Now versed with a better understand of Gi grappling, teamed with a supportive & encouraging leader, Brett was promoted to Brown Belt in January of 2017. While achieving such a high rank in the art, he realized he hadn’t achieved much success in the Gi, and made that the focus of 2017. After a stellar season on the regional scene that year, he went on to win the SJJIF World Championship for Gi Jiu Jitsu in 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The following summer (5/4/19) at a training retreat/seminar in Virginia, Brett was honored with the prestigious rank of Black Belt, becoming the first individual under Corey Brown to achieve such a status. To show his respect for the promotion, he signed back up for the SJJIF World Event, scheduling another trip to the West Coast. After a submission filled performance, he left with a respectable Bronze Medal in his Gi division, and captured the Black Belt No-Gi World Title in his first year as a Black Belt under the Black Tie banner. Now closing in on his second year, the focus has been to grow the academy in the fashion it was meant to be grown, and catapult it’s students to the heights they deserve. Stepping down from his dedicated management job of 10 years, he has made the decision to fulfill his dream & instruct at Black Tie BJJ full-time in his beloved home town of Clare.

World Class Instruction

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineage:

Mitsuyo Maedea > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Jeorge Pereia > Leo Dalla > Chad Lebrun > Corey Brown > Brett Sbardella

Corey Brown (left) Brett Sbardella (right)

Other Locations?

To learn more about our parent location in Florida, owned by Cory Brown click here!

Near Shelby, MI? check out MADA krav maga/JiuJitsu

World Class Instruction

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lineage:

Mitsuyo Maedea > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Jeorge Pereia > Leo Dalla > Chad Lebrun > Corey Brown > Brett Sbardella

Corey Brown (left) Brett Sbardella (right)

How it started

Head Coach Brett Sbardella started his Martial Arts journey in 2007, the summer after graduating High School. It didn’t take long for him to get his start in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition. In fact, from the summer of 2007 to March of 2009, he accumulated an impressive Amateur record of (20-4-1), capturing the Combat-X Welterweight, CAAFL & UCF Middleweight Championships. Fighting an assortment of who’s who from around the Midwest, he quickly realized the importance of having a real understanding for the ground game before making the Pro transition. So, he sought out the tutelage of Eddie Bravo and his unique 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system to help him grow. He Won his Professional debut by Submission on 3/14/09, and received his Blue Belt on 3/16/09 from Eddie Bravo himself shortly after. Eventually earning his Purple Belt in the summer of 2013 and opening a 10th Planet ‘Hot Box’ affiliated school. Leading to 7 years strong learning the intricate No-Gi details that make the rubber guard, truck, and other 10th Planet coined positions so useful for both BJJ and MMA competition. After having success on the regional scene in the Midwest, seeking a higher level of competition quickly became the overall goal, which is what led him and a Cheryl Jacob out to North Carolina. After a stellar performance from Cheryl, where she actually received her Blue Belt, Brett was humbled very quickly in the first round by an amazing practitioner named Corey Brown. Having been submitted for the first time competitively in years, a friendly conversation occurred shortly about the mistakes he had made that led to Corey landing the clean sub & what he should have done differently. Hitting it off like old pals that had known each other from grade school, the two exchanged phone numbers and both went their respective ways. Corey back to Florida, and Brett to Michigan. It didn’t take long before a training session was set up, and the rest is history from there. Leading to a change of BJJ affiliation, and eventually opening the first Black Tie Jiu Jitsu affiliated school outside of Corey’s two schools in Florida.