A Venice, Florida native, Professor Troy Gerhart has dedicated his life to martial arts and helping others reach their full potential. He began his journey on the mats as a wrestler for Venice High School, earning a scholarship to compete at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky..
In 2007, Troy Gerhart stepped into the professional fighting world, achieving major milestones in his career. He fought for Bellator, one of the world’s premier MMA organizations, and is also a veteran of PFL (formerly WSOF) and CFFC, showcasing his skills against some of the best fighters in the industry..
In addition to his fighting career, Troy Gerhart holds a professor-level black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Matt Arroyo from Gracie Tampa South, and he is proud to be part of a direct lineage to the legendary Helio Gracie and Royce Gracie..
Driven by his passion for martial arts, Troy Gerhart founded Gracie Venice Jiu-Jitsu & MMA to bring the high-level training and experience he gained over the years back to his hometown. Reflecting on his early days, when he would drive an hour just to train due to the lack of local gyms, he made it his mission to provide Venice and the surrounding community with a premier martial arts facility..
At Gracie Venice Jiu-Jitsu & MMA, Troy Gerhart combines his years of professional experience in Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and MMA to help students of all ages and skill levels develop confidence, discipline, and strength. His goal is to inspire others to pursue their potential, both on and off the mats, while building a strong, supportive community.