about us
serving the Albuquerque area as your guide on the journey to a healthier, happier self
our STORY
We opened Impact Jiu Jitsu Albuquerque, because we wanted something different; something better. Like many Jiu Jitsu gyms we care deeply about Jiu Jitsu itself. Where we stand apart, however, is teaching. Teaching Jiu Jitsu to our students is our passion. While most gyms focus on “grinding” or “going hard” we work obsessively to teach Jiu Jitsu to our students in the most technical, most effective, and most comprehensive ways possible. We want our students to not only learn the small details of techniques that make the difference between success and failure at the highest levels, but also for them to understand the overall game of grappling better than their competitors. This means that they will be better equipped to both execute a given technique, and to choose the right technique for a given situation. When we look at what matters most for any student to receive from a teacher it is skill sets, knowledge, and proficiency. This is what we provide to every single student at our gym. At Impact we work tirelessly to ensure our students will become true experts in Jiu Jitsu, and we do this in an environment of camaraderie, integrity, and respect.
OUR GOAL:
TO PROVIDE
positive & challenging environments promoting health, fitness, well being & community
ORIGINS OF IMPACT JIU JITSU
Impact Jiu Jitsu’s beginnings stem from Japan where in 1991, founder Michael Chapman studied “Shooto” or Shoot Fighting. When Michael returned to Oregon in 1993, he brought with him a passion for ground fighting. At the time, there was little known locally about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Michael pulled together training partners and they began to learn what they could through books, videos, and seminars with Brazilian Black Belts such as Rickson Gracie and Rigan Machado.
In 1997, Michael joined the Machado family when Black Belt Chris Haueter presented him a purple belt—Michael’s first colored belt. In 1998, Impact Jiu Jitsu was opened (known as Beaverton Straight Blast Gym until 2006). Chris Haueter awarded Michael with his Black Belt in 2004. Since opening Impact Jiu Jitsu in Beaverton in 1998, Michael has been joined by many other amazing Jiu Jitsu athletes; some of whom followed a similar path to his as local pioneers in the sport. Dewey Nielsen (Black Belt) and Matt Leech (Black Belt) joined the Impact Jiu Jitsu family in 2003 when they opened Impact Jiu Jitsu in Newberg. Dewey and Matt began their pursuit of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu years before, training in smaller facilities—from Matt’s garage to mat space in a local health club.
Today, Impact Jiu Jitsu is the proud home to 46 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts: Michael Chapman (4th degree); Armand Debruge (3rd degree); Cameron Apple, Keisuke Andrew (2nd Degree); Todd Betters, Eric Jetton, Matt Leech, Tommy Leisman, Woody Little, Dewey Nielsen, Richard Rangel, K.C. Thompson, Hillary VanOrnum, Brian Walsh, and Andrew Wong (1st degree); Rodney Buswell, Tracy Chapman, Daryl Cutler, Daynin Dashefsky, Robert Follis, John Furukawa, Nick Gilardi, John Goforth, Tony Gracia, Sébastien Hily, George Huertas, Matt Koppelman, Chad Kyser, Keith Johnson, Josh Long, Chad Lyman, Eric Loar, Bryan Marugg, Zachary Minteer, David Niederman, Blake Nolan, Mark Pagaduan, Paul Park, Dan Robinson, Pavel Rott, David Rubin, Shaun Ryan, Ned Sands, Aaron Sparling, Adam Thomas, and Justin Tishendorf. Many of these athletes, as well as a great number of Impact’s students, hold local and world champion Jiu Jitsu titles. To learn more about Impact Jiu Jitsu and the people that make it great, come visit us in person.
OUR PEOPLE IS WHAT MAKES US GREAT
OUR TEAM
ARE YOU READY TO LEVEL UP?
getting started is easy!
1. SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST VISIT
Talk with a coach about your goals and learn how we can get you to your best self.
2. START YOUR TRAINING
You have defined your goals and you are ready to begin your journey. We will start you strong by taking you through the fundamentals of training and sound habits putting you on the road to success!
3. HAVE FUN REACHING NEW LEVELS
Once you have the basics down you’ll book classes easily on our app, enjoy the workouts with awesome people and reach your goals in no time!
