Matt and Nick Serra began teaching in 1997, under the guidance and blessing of Renzo Gracie, at a ramshackle location appropriately referred to as "The Barn," in Babylon, Long Island. Known for its poor ventilation, minimalist amenities and intense training, The Barn was the perfect sparring grounds for passionate students, many who continue to progress and evolve under the instruction of the Serra brothers today.

When The Barn could no longer handle its growing student body, Matt and Nick opened a school in East Meadow in 2001 and another in Huntington just a few years later. Both Long Island locations remain open today, with many of the Serra brothers’ original students serving as loyal training partners and knowledgeable instructors.