HEAD INSTRUCTOR - James Kelly
The Founder and Head Instructor at the Cincinnati Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy is James Kelly, a certified Black Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Master Pedro Sauer. Mr. Kelly has been indorsed to Instruct Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu By Master Pedro Sauer and Master Flavio Behring.
Mr. Kelly has studied martial arts and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu since 1992. He has traveled the world teaching and training with the leading experts, and the founding father of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mr. Kelly has studied under Grandmaster Helio Gracie, Master's Relson Gracie, Flavio Behring, and Alvaro Berreto, Professor's Rickson, Royler, Rolker, and Royce Gracie, and Carlos, Rigan, John, Jean-Jacques, and Roger Machado.
Mr. Kelly has competed and won many of the top events in both Gi and No Gi competitions including the Brazilian regional and state championships, Grapplers Quest, The Arnold Classic and the US Open.
Mr. Kelly is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. He has served in the special operations community since 1992 and continues to provide special operations support to US Government Agencies in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as in other areas of the world wide fight on terrorism.
He is an instructor in several martial arts and self defense systems under world renowned instructors. Mr. Kelly has conducted training at the request of many of the Nations elite special operation units and personnel and government agencies on site world wide.
Mr. Kelly is a highly sought after consultant and instructor for his unique combination of skills, real-world experience, depth of knowledge and his ability to deliver this to his students.
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR - Justin Christopher
Justin Christopher is a purple belt under David Kristic, a John Will black belt.
Mr. Christopher has traveled the United Sates and Australia competing and training with the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors including the world famous Machado brothers. In 2002 he moved to Australia and trained at Dominance Mixed Martial Arts located in Melbourne under black belts John Simon, Cam row, Murray Ballenden and David Hart.
Mr. Christopher has trained extensively in MMA and Sport fighting with King of the Cage veteran John the Rev Jensen. Mr. Christopher has instructed some of the Nations top special warfare operators and SWAT teams. He has competed and meddled in grappling events in Australia and the United States.
He is now teaching at the Cincinnati Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy sharing his technical expertise in Jiu-Jitsu and sport fighting.