Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

We offer classes of all levels for men, women and children.

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At Torres Martial Arts Academy, our rare lineage of grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a unique tale of perseverance, travel, and perspective. In the beginning of Torres’ training here in Northwest Indiana, there was no such thing as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and it was a time of learning and growth. In 1998, Torres started his quest to find techniques that would help him develop his style of fighting and give him an aggressive approach to finishing fights.

Earning a blue belt under Marcelo Montierro, Torres went to the man that Marcelo earned a black belt from named Ricardo DeLa Riva in Brazil to learn grappling concepts and the infamous Dela Riva guard. This earned him a purple belt, before Ricardo sent Miguel up the ladder to the man who Ricardo earned a black belt from named Carlson Gracie Sr. With 30 fights already under his belt and a purple belt from one of the most revolutionary grapplers and masters of bjj around, Miguel finally met and trained under Carlson Sr. For 5 years Miguel traveled and was by Carlson’s side till his untimely death in 2007.

Earning a brown belt from Carlson Sr., Torres went on to prove Carlon Sr.’s claims that Torres would be a world champion at the bantamweight division. Finishing many of his fights using clean and fundamental Jiu-Jitsu, Carlson Gracie Jr promoted Torres in his father's honor in 2007.

Since those days, Torres has traveled the world and trained with many amazing groomers and black belts, including Ryan Hall, Firaz Zahabi, Mario Sperry, Xande Ribero, Braulio Esteema, John Danaher, Robert Drysdale, and AJ Agazarm. This has helped form Torres’ signature teaching style of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, centering education around position control, transitioning, then leading to submission attacks until we get to a submission.

What Will I Learn?

Students have two types of classes they can participate in, the first being a beginners class that teaches the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a safe environment and allows students to learn conscious breathing, the basics of grappling teaching them how to properly fall, technical get ups, hip escapes, various transitions of control positions, Judo takedowns, fundamentals of wrestling, basic submission and self-defense techniques.

This type of training also gives students increased confidence, core strength building muscle and conditioning. There is no sparring in the fundamentals program to keep students injury-free and to give them an opportunity to build the confidence to work up to live rolling.

Advanced students are allowed to spar and work on advanced combinations of attacks and positions, this class is designed for students who want to compete in tournaments or who aspire to be involved in mixed martial arts as they grow older. The advanced classes offer the same benefits of the fundamentals program with the added benefit of live sparring, giving kids an increased awareness of the usefulness of Brazilan Jiu-JItsu and grappling in self-defense scenarios as well as competitions.

What Will I Get?

Like our other programs, classes are offered seven days a week, allowing students to maximize their training with a consistent schedule. All students also have access to our brand-new fitness center that has olympic and free weights, Crossfit Monkey Rig, cardio equipment, wall balls, medicine balls and jump ropes by Rogue Fitness. We spared no expense to offer students the highest quality training facility combined with world class experience to create a one-of-a-kind training facility.

What Do I Need?

We teach two forms of grappling, gi and nogi. Half the week is divided into training with a traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kimono and the other half is trained with a t-shirt, rashguard, shorts or spats. All shorts and pants should not have any pockets, zippers, buttons or cuts in the legs and no jewelry is allowed to be worn during classes. Shirts / tops should fit comfortably and not have excess length or bulk.

Students that do not have a Jiu-Jitsu kimono or forget to bring it can rent one and all students must have their own uniform with belt for gi days. For advanced students a mouthpiece is required - ear guards and athletic supporters are recommended but not necessary.