Keiser Girao, born in Sao Paulo, Brazil began martial arts at the age of 6 in judo. He received his purple belt in judo and then a red belt in Tae Kwon Do. Unsatisfied with some of the limitations of the art and looking for something more complete he took Hapkido (a korean military martial art that involves ground, striking, and self defense techniques). He received his black belt after 6 years of training through master Norberto Serrano. He was undefeated in 7 freestyle fights representing Hapkido.
Keiser decided next to move and train jiu jitsu under the renowned Ryan Gracie Academy. After 3 years of training under Ryan, Keiser received his blue belt and started to teach some BJJ beginners classes. After a few state championships and competing in some of best tournaments in the world, including the 1997 Pan American and Worlds, Keiser decided to move to the US to study and started training with the Machados Brothers.
Promoted to purple belt under the Machado family in the beginning of '98, Keiser traveled back to Brazil and trained there until 2003 when he received a job offer to run the world famous Machados jiu jitsu academy at Redondo Beach. Keiser got promoted to brown belt under the Machados. He had the privilege to train with all the brothers that live in California: Roger, Rigan, Jean Jacques, and John Machado. Running the Redondo Beach location, the first Machado Academy location in the US, he taught kids, teens, beginners, and advanced classes.
In 2007 Keiser got promoted to black belt and decided to move to Dallas to help teach and learn with Carlos Machado, the only brother that Keiser had not yet trained under. Coming from very competitive roots, Keiser decided to move on and work with MMA fighters. Long time friends with the world famous UFC fighter and Pride champion Rodrigo Minotauro, Keiser was invited to join Team Nogueira to train and represent the team. After 2 years of training with Rodrigo Minotauro and Amaury Bitetti, Keiser was again promoted to black belt but this time under Team Nogueira. Keiser Girao is one of the most decorated coach in Dallas because he has the top combined knowledge acquired under the Gracies, the Nogeiras, and Machados.
Keiser has made champions in the top tournaments of the world such as International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation World Championships, IBJJF Pan American Championships, Nationals, NAGA, Grappler's Quest, and others. He also has helped coach fighters competing in top fight organizations in the world such as UFC, Strike Force, Bellator, and XK1. He is experienced in teaching the basics to beginners and kids, as well as honing the skills of some of the best.