RISE Submission Invitational 5

Flashback: Matt Serra Predicts Jason Rau's Future as Standout Grappler

Flashback: Matt Serra Predicts Jason Rau's Future as Standout Grappler

The former UFC champ believed in his student's abilities. Here's an early look at the up-and-coming grappler before anybody knew who he was.

Oct 2, 2018 by Hywel Teague
Serra Predicts Rau's Standout Future

Jason Rau is one of those grapplers who is making a lot of noise on the no-gi scene. He has impressed us with victories at RISE Submission Invitational 4 & 5, and a series of solid performances at KASAI Pro 3. 

Hailing from Matt Serra's gym on Long Island and training now with the esteemed "Danaher Death Squad" at the Renzo Gracie HQ in Manhattan, black belt Rau continues the strong North East no-gi tradition and proudly flies his team's flag into competition. 

Jason Rau attacks for a leglock in the main event of RISE Submission Invitational 5.

The former UFC champ believed in his student's abilities from way before he cam up on our radar, and that belief was well-founded. 

In 2015 our buddies Duane and Hunter from FloCombat (then with Bleacher Report) visited Serra's Long Island gym and got an early look at the up-and-coming grappler before anybody knew who he was. 

See more from Jason Rau's career these last couple of years

L-R: Renzo Gracie team members Ryan Quinn, Frank Rosenthal, Nick Ronan, Matt Serra, Jason Rau, Gordon Ryan