Mission Statement
At Cat5 Jiu-Jitsu Association, we are committed to preserving and promoting the authentic teachings of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our mission is to empower individuals of all backgrounds with the skills, confidence, and understanding to protect themselves using leverage, timing, and technique rather than strength or aggression. We believe Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, and we strive to create an inclusive, supportive community where people can grow both on and off the mats.
History and Founder
Cat5 Jiu-Jitsu Association was founded by Professor Alberto V. Da Silva as a tribute to the resilience of those who live, train, and rebuild in the face of adversity. The name “Cat5” honors the legacy of Hurricane Michael, a devastating Category 5 storm that struck Bay County, Florida in 2018. The storm destroyed two of our foundational academies Marra Senki Jiu-Jitsu in Panama City (est. 2012) and Mat Shark Jiu-Jitsu in Port St. Joe (est. 2018). From this destruction, a new chapter was born. As the saying in Jiu-Jitsu goes, “we either win or we learn”; and that moment taught us to learn, adapt, and grow stronger.
Cat5 Jiu-Jitsu is more than a name, it’s a philosophy. It represents the storms of life that test us, and the strength we gain from overcoming them. Founded in 2020, our association embodies the belief that through community, discipline, and technique, we rise together.
Professor Da Silva, a retired United States Air Force veteran, built this association with the understanding of what it means to face constant change. Whether it's moving due to a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) or pausing training because of deployment, he experienced firsthand how life can disrupt a Jiu-Jitsu journey. That’s why at Cat5, no student is ever left behind. Whether you’re new, returning, or continuing your path; you’re always part of the team.
One of our core principles is unity through community success. Whether you're learning under a Cat5 instructor or at an affiliate academy, we are committed to helping you grow not just as a martial artist, but as a person. We believe that every student, school, and instructor shares in each other’s victories.
We have no competitors. We have no rivals. We have no equals.
What we do have is each other and our vision to empower our communities success.
Cat5 Jiu-Jitsu Association Founder
Professor Alberto Da Silva
Black Belt 2° Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Certified U.S. Army Combative Instructor
United States Air Force Veteran
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Professor Alberto Da Silva began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 1998 while living in New York City. In 2005, he joined the United States Air Force, serving with honor through multiple convoy deployments to the Middle East. Despite the demands of military life, he remained committed to his training, earning his Black Belt in 2016 under Master Luiz Sergio Correa of Marra Senki Jiu-Jitsu, San Antonio Texas.
In 2011, the Air Force brought Alberto and his family to Bay County, Panama City, Florida. Since then, he has been a driving force in the local BJJ community, leading students to success both on and off the mats. His teaching goes far beyond techniques, it's about developing the whole person.
To Professor Da Silva, Jiu-Jitsu is more than a martial art. It's a way of thinking: a method of problem-solving rooted in geometry, leverage, and resilience. Under his mentorship, students don’t just learn how to defend themselves; they gain discipline, honor, integrity, and respect.
"Our mission has always been clear: to build good people, strong citizens, and a united community through the power of the gentle art."
