Academy Head Coach Greg Nelson has his roots in athletic training and competition. Mr. Nelson is a former University of Minnesota Wrestling Team member and an All-American high school gymnast. In 1983 he started training in the Jun Fan Martial Arts, Filipino Kali and Muay Thai under Sifu Rick Faye. Since then he has earned Full Instructor credentials in Jun Fan Martial Arts/Jeet Kune Do Concepts, Filipino Kali, and Level III Instructor in Maphilindo Silat under the legendary Guru Dan Inosanto. Mr. Nelson is also a Senior Instructor in Muay Thai under Grand Master Surachai “Chai” Sirisute of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA. A grappler at heart, Nelson earned the level of Advanced Student in Shoot Wrestling under Sensei Yurinaga Nakamura, and a certified Full Instructor in Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW) under Erik Paulson. Greg started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 1989 taking a private under Master Rickson Gracie. In 1996 he became formal a student of 8th degree Red & Black Belt Professor Pedro Sauer. Professor Sauer awarded Mr. Nelson as his first Black Belt in November 2002. Currently, he is a 3rd degree Black Belt and is the highest-ranking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt in the state of Minnesota
On a competitive level he has put his skills to the test. After graduating college in 1989, Nelson traveled to Thailand to train Muay Thai with some of the worlds best. In 1992 he again went to Thailand and this trip gave him the urge to compete. In the summer of 1993 he fought his first Muay Thai fight in Chicago IL and again 1995 internationally in Winnipeg Canada. In 1994 he fought in Amateur Shooto (MMA) in LA. In 1999 he put on the gi and won a Gold Medal in Blue Belt Masters in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the IBJJF Pan-American Championships. The following year Mr. Nelson won a Silver Medal in Purple Belt Masters at the 2000 IBJJF Pan-American Championships. He competed in one more IBJJF Pan-American Championships in 2001 and then won three Gold Medals in the 2001 LA Grappling Games.
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December, 2024
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August 26,2019
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