# Brazilian Top Team - Palencia > Saint Augustine, United States | #<Affiliation:0x00006323fd645508> ## Overview **Name:** Brazilian Top Team - Palencia **Affiliation:** #<Affiliation:0x00006323fd645508> **Description:** Brazilian Top Team Palencia is a proud affiliate of Brazilian Top Team, one of the oldest and most decorated martial arts teams in the world. Established in 2000 by a group of Carlson Gracie students led by Murilo Bustamante, Brazilian Top Team developed and created new training techniques for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission wrestling, and mixed martial arts. Through strict professional work and extensive study of martial arts, BTT established itself as one of the best mixed martial arts teams globally. At BTT Palencia, students train under the guidance of experienced instructors who emphasize technical excellence, proper leverage, and the fundamental principle that a smaller, weaker person can defeat a bigger, stronger opponent through technique. The gym offers comprehensive training programs for both children and adults, with a focus on creating an enjoyable and easily grasped learning environment. Training includes both Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, allowing students to develop well-rounded grappling skills. The coaching staff at BTT Palencia brings decades of combined experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts. Head instructor Michael Brennan is a 3rd degree black belt under Marcello Bergo with a direct lineage to the Gracie family through Mitsuyo Maeda, Carlos Gracie, Carlson Gracie, Murilo Bustamante, and Marcello Bergo. As a lifelong martial artist, Mike holds black belts in Kajukenbo and Shaolin Goju and is an inductee in the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2011). The team also includes Mike Bland, a 4th degree black belt and retired police sergeant with over 25 years of coaching experience, and Reed Hepperly, a black belt with more than 30 years of grappling experience who founded the first BJJ school in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** 545 International Golf Parkway #11 Saint Augustine, FL 32095, United States **Phone:** 850-443-0330 **Email:** bttpalencia@gmail.com **Website:** https://www.bttPalencia.com **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bttpalencia/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BTTPalencia/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVi0JYeY6MOTrI1ZF-C2ZUQ ## Hours of Operation - Monday: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Tuesday: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Wednesday: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Thursday: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Friday: Closed - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Sunday: Closed ## Pricing ## Instructors ### Michael Brennan - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** As a lifelong Martial Artist, Mike Brennan holds black belts in Kajukenbo, Shaolin Goju and is an Inductee in the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2011). Mike brings the famed Brazilian Top Team, one of the oldest and most decorated martial arts gyms in the world to St. John's County, Florida. Through years of teaching and competition experience Mike has developed an effective coaching style that allows him to spread the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to all of his students in a manner that is enjoyable and easily grasped. ### Mike Bland - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Mike Bland is 4th degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and retired Police Sergeant from Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1996 at the original American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, California. Relocating to Las Vegas in 1999, Mike would ultimately train directly under Sergio Penha, who awarded Mike his Black Belt in 2007. For over 25 years Mike has coached at every level to include hobbyists, law enforcement, military, and professional fighters and still actively travels the country coaching for Invictus and C4C Police Jiu Jitsu. ### Reed Hepperly - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** With more than 30 years of grappling experience (including free-style wrestling, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu) Reed has seen the changes in BJJ as a sport from the early emphasis in Vale Tudo and self-defense to the modern game. Reed founded the first Brazilian Jiujitsu school in the west coast city of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, before moving to Jacksonville FL. The last 5 years of his BJJ journey have been focused on developing teaching and coaching skills. 'My belief is that the next big change that we will see in the sport is the development of better coaching and I intend to be one of the people in the forefront of this movement'. ## Programs ### Kids BJJ **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program for children ages 5-12. Focuses on fundamental techniques, discipline, and building confidence in a fun and safe environment. **Classes:** ### Adults BJJ (Gi) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in the gi for adults of all skill levels. Focuses on technique, leverage, and positional control using the gi. **Classes:** ### Adults BJJ (No-Gi) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling for adults. Focuses on wrestling-based techniques and submissions without the gi. **Classes:** --- **Last Updated:** March 10, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/florida/saint-augustine/brazilian-top-team-palencia)