Mixed Martial Arts in DC News Blog

Saturday Class at Fairfax Jiu Jitsu

HERNDON, VA – In the suburbs of northern, VA, lies the martial arts academy known as Fairfax Jiu Jitsu. Owned as a partnership by local martial artists David Jacobs, Mark Jones, and Sam Kim, the 10,000 sq. ft martial arts facility has programs and classes for developing fighters and students in brazilian jiu jitsu, mixed martial arts, muay thai, and capoeira.

Stationed at the entrance of the training complex is the NHBGear.com MMA store, owned by Fairfax Jiu Jitsu partner and BJJ practitioner Sam Kim. NHBGear.com is known for hosting the jiu jitsu forum where many knowledgeable jiu jitsu practioners discuss news about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, submission grappling, and other related topics.

After passing by the dressing rooms, the guests notice that the mat space is divided into two separate large training areas. Both areas have sizable mat space, with one room having a partially fenced area for MMA practice. Both rooms have areas for matted wall space to partially simulate a ring and octagon environment. Future plans for increased amounts of training equipment include the addition of a ring and more strength & conditioning equipment. Currently, practitioners of the striking arts make use of the heavy Fairtex bags and available muay thai pads.

As BJJ black belt instructors, David Jacobs and Mark Jones each provide over 10 years of experience in brazilian jiu jitsu and coach students in the Yamasaki Jiu Jitsu affiliated program. Jacobs, a well respected grappler with a long list of grappling achievements, recently released a video on YouTube analyzing a guard pass used by UFC fighter Mark Bocek to pass Dustin Hazelett’s rubber guard at UFC 124. Also included in the curriculum is a no-gi grappling class taught by Jacobs. Mark Jones is the Head Instructor of the Children’s Program and has, among his achievements, won gold in the Pan American Championships in 2005 and 2006 (Brown Belt Masters & Senior divisions).

Producing regularly successful fighters is no easy task. For mixed martial arts, Bill Easlick, a former MMA fighter with a 2-1 record, is head coach and instructor of the MMA fight team and MMA class. Easlick has coached successful fighters such as Bryan Lane, Hiro Perera, and Kasim Nawaz. As an MMA coach, he states that his overall team’s record is 17-5.

To prepare fighters for the ring and provide students with more options for striking arts, Muay Thai classes are offered. Thai Boxing Instructor Matt Nielsen, a veteran of the Navy, began training in Muay Thai over 15 years ago and won 3 matches in Japan. Since 2004, he has been traveling to Thailand to train at famous camps such as Fairtex Gym and Sinbi Muay Thai to bring back training techniques to Fairfax Jiu Jitsu.

Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art characterized by rhythmic instruments, aerial movements, and martial arts techniques, is also offered at Fairfax Jiu Jitsu. Yara Cordeiro, a Capoeira instructor with over 12 years of teaching experience, has taught Capoeira at international workshops around the world. As a practitioner of over 25 years, Cordeiro has published three books and competed at the national and international level of Capoeira.

* Sources for martial arts experience include interviews and Fairfax Jiu Jitsu website at http://www.fairfaxjj.com/instructors.html—————————

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