About

Brabo Academy

Brabo Academy, established in May 2022, was founded by Professor Oleksandr Humen in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Founder’s Bio:

Brabo Academy’s founder is Professor Oleksandr “Alex” Humen. Alex currently holds the rank of Black Belt under Professor Diego Bispo. He also has experience in competitive freestyle wrestling, pankration, and amateur MMA.

From a child, Alex played different team sports. When he turned 12-years-old he started practicing freestyle wrestling back in his home country, Ukraine. After securing a scholarship, he entered university and graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology-Technology. He then began living and training in different countries: Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Thailand.

In 2013, Alex came to the USA through a student’s exchange program. Later that year, he found a Jiu-Jitsu gym in Greenville, NC and fell in love with sport. He got his blue belt in 5 months of training. After earning his purple belt, Alex started helping teach adult classes. His love of teaching led him to quit his regular job and become a full-time BJJ instructor and personal trainer. In 2017 he got the opportunity to be assistant BJJ Coach and Fitness Coach at UFC Gym Virginia Beach. Alex later transitioned into the position of head coach. By the end of 2018 Alex moved to the UFC Gym in Norfolk. At the UFC Gym Norfolk, he taught kids and adult BJJ programs as well as fitness classes.

Professor Humen is now realizing his dream of opening his own school with Brabo Academy. Within, he hopes to teach a new generation of hard-working competitors and teammates.

Professor Humen’s Competition Accolades:

  • IBJJF No-Gi World Champion (Brown Belt, Master 1)

  • Multi-time IBJJF Opens Champion and Medalist (Adult and Master)

  • Multi-time US Grappling, NAGA, New Breed Champion and Medalist

  • ProJitsu and Submission Pro Hunter Super Fights Winner

Brabo Academy Instructors

 

Coach Jake

Coach Jake been training just over 6 years and he holds the rank of Purple belt under Professor Alex Humen.

He graduated from Old Dominion University in 2015 with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University.


Coach Jake, despite having a busy schedule for work and school, competes in local tournaments and IBJJF tournaments.
He is IBJJF, NAGA, Grappling Industries, AGF, US Grappling champion and medalist. We are very grateful to have him at Brabo Academy.

Coach Marissa

Marissa (16) is our Kids Assistant Coach. She is a blue belt under Professor Alex Humen and been training for 5 years. Marissa has been competing in adult divisions since she was 14-years-old.

Marissa is a 2-time Pan Kids Champion (Yellow and Orange Belts). She finished 2nd in IBJJF Pan Juvenile Blue, 3rd in IBJJF Con Juvenile Blue, and 1st place in the IBJJF Orlando Open. Marissa is also a several time NAGA, Grappling Industries, US Grappling, New Breed, AGF, and Fuji champion and medalist.

Coach Marissa is a strong example to students of the kind of results that comes from dedication and hard work.

Coach Trevon Majette

Coach Majette is the wrestling coach at Brabo Academy. He is a Virginia State Wrestling Champion, 2-time NHSCA All-American, started 2-years for ODU wrestling, and started 2-years for Gardner-Webb University wrestling. He also won 3rd place at the SoCon Championships.