It's just me. David. I am the current Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion in my division, but really I'm just a guy trying to share something that makes sense to me and might help you, and the world. That's it. Share the videos if you agree.
My Martial Arts Bio:
I began training Jiu Jitsu as a young child in 1968 under the late Sensei Jack Seki. I trained White Lotus Kung Fu under Sifu Douglas Wong and taught Jiu Jitsu at Steven Seagal’s Tenshin Dojo from 1984-1987. I was head instructor of Jiu Jitsu at UCLA from 1980-85. I received my 3rd Dan in Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Jack Seki and hold a 4th Dan in Jiu Jitsu under the late Prof. Wally Jay.
I began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1992, and I'm one of the first Americans to reach black belt, receiving my rank in 1996. I'm is a 5th degree black belt in BJJ and was trained by Rigan, Jean Jacques, Carlos, John and Roger Machado. I've been a coach and training partner for numerous MMA fighters in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and I'm currently training with fighters from the Cesar Gracie team, including Jake Shields and Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez. I authored the book “Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling,” and co-authored “The Triangle” with Rigan Machado.
I was the first American to win a medal at the black belt level at a BJJ World Championship, earning the Bronze Medal in Black Belt Open Weight Class division in Brazil in 1998. I also won the first ever BJJ competition held in the United States (a cross-school competition between the Tarzana and Redondo Beach Machado Brothers schools in 1994). I have been the winner of numerous “superfights” at regional and national Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions in both gi and no-gi competitions.
Along with Master John Will, I created BJJ and MMA curriculums in use in schools across the globe, as well as the grappling curriculum used by Chuck Norris in his UFAF association.
I'm also a passionate advocate for animal welfare and have been a vegetarian/vegan since 1985. I launched www.FuelForTheFighter.com several years ago to show how MMA and BJJ fighters can be vegan/vegetarian and have increases in their strength and endurance.
My competition achievements include:
2024 Gold Medal – IBJJF Sacramento International Open, Black Belt Master 7 Heavy Weight Class
2024 Gold Medal – IBJJF Sacramento International Open, Black Belt Master 7 Open Weight Class
2024 Gold Medal – IBJJF San Jose International Open, Black Belt Master 7 Medium-Heavy Weight Class
2024 Silver Medal – IBJJF San Jose International Open, Black Belt Master 7 Open Weight Class
2023 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi World Championship, Black Belt Master 7 Medium-Heavy Weight Class
2019 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi World Championship, Black Belt Master 6 Open Weight Class
2019 Bronze Medal – IBJJF No Gi World Championship, Black Belt Master 6 Medium-Heavy
2019 Gold Medal - American Cup, Black Belt Master 3 Medium Heavy Weight Class
2019 Gold Medal - American Cup, Black Belt Master 3 Open Weight Class (unopposed)
2018 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi World Championship, Black Belt Master 6 Medium Heavy (unopposed)
2018 Bronze Medal – IBJJF No Gi World Championship, Black Belt Master 6 Open Weight Class
2018 Gold Medal - US Open, Black Belt Master 5 Medium Heavy Weight Class
2018 Silver Medal - Jiu Jitsu World League Gi World Championship, Black Belt Master 3 Middle Weight Class
2018 Silver Medal – American Cup, Black Belt Master 2 Open Weight Class
2018 Silver Medal – American Cup, Black Belt Master 2 Medium Heavy Weight Class
2017 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi World Championship, Black Belt Master 5 Middle Weight Class
2017 Gold Medal – American Cup, Black Belt Master 5 Medium Heavy Class
2016 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi World Championship, Black Belt Master 5 Middle Weight Class
2016 Gold Medal – US Open, Black Belt Master 4 Middle Weight Class (unopposed)
2015 Gold Medal - JiuJitsu World League, Black Belt Master 4 Middle Weight Class
2015 Silver Medal – American Cup, Black Belt
2014 Gold Medal – American Cup, Black Belt Master 4 Middle Weight Class
2013 Gold Medal – American Cup, Black Belt Senior 3 Middle Weight Class
2012 Silver Medal – IBJJF Masters and Seniors World Championships, Black Belt Senior 3 Middle Weight Class
2012 Gold Medal – American Cup, Black Belt Senior 3 Middle Weight Class
2011 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi BJJ World Championship, Black Belt Senior 3 Medium Weight Class
2011 Gold Medal – Pan Am Game, Black Belt Senior 3 Medium Weight Class
2011 Silver Medal – US Open, BJJ Black Belt Senior 3 Medium Weight Class
2010 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi World Championship, Black Belt Senior 3 Medium Weight Class
2010 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi BJJ World Championship, Black Belt Senior 3 Open Weight Class
2010 Gold Medal – US Open, Black Belt Senior 2 Open Weight Class
2009 Gold Medal – US Open, Black Belt
2009 Gold Medal – American National Championship, Black Belt Senior 3 Medium Weight Class
2009 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi BJJ World Championship, Black Belt Senior 3 Medium Heavy Weight Class
2009 Gold Medal World Champion – IBJJF No Gi BJJ World Championship, Black Belt Senior 3 Open Weight Class
2007 Gold Medal -International Master Senior Championship, Black Belt
2005 Gold Medal – Pan American Jiu Jitsu Championship, Black Belt Open Weight Class
2005 Silver Medal – Pan American Jiu Jitsu Championship, Black Belt
2004 Gold Medal – National American BJJ Championship, Black Belt
2004 Gold Medal – American National BJJ Championship, Black Belt Open Weight Class
2004 Silver Medal – American National BJJ Championship, Black Belt
2004 Gold Medal – Pan Am Games, Black Belt Senior 2 Medium Heavy Weight Class
2004 Gold Medal – California Open BJJ Championship, Black Belt
2001 Gold Medal – American International Championship, Black Belt
2000 Gold Medal – US Copa Pacifica, Black Belt
2000 Gold Medal – American International Championship, Black Belt
1998 Bronze Medal – IBJJF World Championship, Black Belt Absolute Division
1998 Korean Air Black Belt Challenge. Super-fight Winner
1997 Silver Medal – Joe Moreira 5th Annual International Championship, Black Belt
1996 Silver Medal – American Federation of BJJ Spring Tournament, Black Belt