Intro
About Us
Owned and run by Relson Gracie black belt Kenny Martin and his student Aaron Lynde, Black Flag Jiu Jitsu is a home for those interested in beginning their martial arts journey or the gritty competitors wanting to take their game to the next level. Kenny and Aaron envisioned a different kind of gym for their area (Rockford, IL). There were several places to do jiu jitsu but none in the region heavily focused on training for competition at the highest levels. So, they sought out the best team they could imagine to affiliate with, Pedigo Submission Fighting. “We admired their style from afar until we did a Daisy Fresh camp in February of 2022 with them. Now, we consider them family and train under Heath regularly.”
Training with them ensures Black Flag has the most current styles and techniques being shown to our students.
Intro
About Us
Owned and run by Relson Gracie black belt Kenny Martin and his student Aaron Lynde, Black Flag Jiu Jitsu is a home for those interested in beginning their martial arts journey or the gritty competitors wanting to take their game to the next level. Kenny and Aaron envisioned a different kind of gym for their area (Rockford, IL). There were several places to do jiu jitsu but none in the region heavily focused on training for competition at the highest levels. So, they sought out the best team they could imagine to affiliate with, Pedigo Submission Fighting. “We admired their style from afar until we did a Daisy Fresh camp in February of 2022 with them. Now, we consider them family and train under Heath regularly.”
Training with them ensures Black Flag has the most current styles and techniques being shown to our students.
Black Flag Jiujitsu
Black Flag Jiu Jitsu is here to empower those that need empowerment. We have programs for both casuals that just want to learn self-defense (which is what brings most people to bjj), a well rounded “anti-bully” kids program and a program for the hard core competitors looking to go pro. Come see what makes us different than any other martial arts academy and try 2 weeks for free.
Why brazilian jiujitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been proven time and time again to be the most effective martial art in any physical altercation. The Gracie family displayed what Jiu Jitsu can do in a fight in the early days of UFC and to this day grappling continues to be the number one factor in the highest levels of MMA. Recent years have seen an explosion of growth in the sport of grappling as well, including numerous professional opportunities. Whether you just want to learn some simple self defense to gain confidence or you are looking to become a professional grappler, now is a great time to try it out and see what it has to offer you. Try a class for FREE.
Why brazilian jiujitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been proven time and time again to be the most effective martial art in any physical altercation. The Gracie family displayed what Jiu Jitsu can do in a fight in the early days of UFC and to this day grappling continues to be the number one factor in the highest levels of MMA. Recent years have seen an explosion of growth in the sport of grappling as well, including numerous professional opportunities. Whether you just want to learn some simple self defense to gain confidence or you are looking to become a professional grappler, now is a great time to try it out and see what it has to offer you. Try a class for FREE.
Why Black Flag Jiujitsu
Why Black Flag Jiu Jitsu: It’s the golden age of grappling and we just want to push each other to get better and be a part of something greater than ourselves. We train regularly with the team we feel is at the bleeding edge of competition. Many people are familiar with the hit YouTube/FloGrappling series about the Daisy Fresh team coached by Heath Pedigo. Luckily for us they’re only 6 hour drive, so we train there monthly and encourage our teammates to as well. Black Flag is a great place to find a tribe to be a part of something. You can get whatever it is you’re looking for, be it self defense or the most current techniques being used at the highest levels of the sport. We offer it all. Not to mention the intense bond of being part of a team and family.
Why Black Flag Jiujitsu
Why Black Flag Jiu Jitsu: It’s the golden age of grappling and we just want to push each other to get better and be a part of something greater than ourselves. We train regularly with the team we feel is at the bleeding edge of competition. Many people are familiar with the hit YouTube/FloGrappling series about the Daisy Fresh team coached by Heath Pedigo. Luckily for us they’re only 6 hour drive, so we train there monthly and encourage our teammates to as well. Black Flag is a great place to find a tribe to be a part of something. You can get whatever it is you’re looking for, be it self defense or the most current techniques being used at the highest levels of the sport. We offer it all. Not to mention the intense bond of being part of a team and family.
More Than Jiujitsu
Jonah Summ
Jonah Summ is Black Flag’s resident personal trainer. Jonah is incredibly knowledgable about all aspects of weight training and physical fitness. He has brought a deep and ever growing collection of various machines, bars, weights, and more to help aid those on their fitness journey.
Maria Furgat
Maria Furgat graduated from Midwest College of Oriental Medicine acquiring a bachelors degree in nutritional counseling and a master’s degree in Chinese medicine, which includes acupuncture, cupping, and herbal remedies. Treatments like acupuncture serve to alleviate pain and balance your body, and the herbal medicines can be used to treat a variety of internal and external disorders. Her goal is to help people reduce symptoms of their illnesses through alternative medicine, in addition to teaching patients to understand the properties of self-healing with proper diet, exercise, and many other modalities.
What Clients Say
We highly encourage everyone try take control of their life. Ultimately we’re here to
push each other to be the best possible versions of ourselves
The BEST competition gym in the area. Awesome place to train, great environment and coaches/instructors are amazing very knowledgeable and friendly they treat you like family here. Very welcoming to everyone even people who are beginners/new. I Highly recommended coming here if you’re interested in getting into Jiujitsu to either learn self defense or to compete.Peri
No hierarchical bjj BS here, just good people doing good Jiu Jitsu in a friendly environment.
I came as a visitor to an open mat and this place is pretty awesome! Would recommend anyone curious to stop in and check it out seems like a great place to train