vOwner & Chief Instructor Jerry Fatjo

Jerry Fatjo has been training in the martial arts for more than 35 years. At the age of 20, he began his training with the Korean style of Tae Kwon Do and received his first-degree black belt before moving on to other martial art styles.

At the age of 25, he began training with Chris Ascari of the International Martial Boxing Academy (IMB). The training consisted of group classes and private lessons in all that the IMB offers, including Muay Thai Kickboxing, Western Boxing, Catchascatchcan Wrestling, Jun Fan-Jeet Kune Do, and Doces Pares Eskrima. He continued to train with Chris Ascari as well as Kru Phil Nurse, a three-time Muay Thai Kickboxing champion in New York City. In 1998, he was accepted into the IMB Instructorship Program, where he received his rank of Apprentice Instructor under Chris Ascari and Sifu Richard Bustillo, former student of Bruce Lee.

He continued his training with both instructors and added Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He began this training under Renzo Gracie as well as with Chris Ascari of the IMB. In November of 2001, he received his Associate Instructor rank under the IMB Academy. In January 2004 he was recertified as an Instructor under Sifu Richard here at FMAC.

After continuing his martial arts education with the above instructors, he attained his Second Degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima from Grand Master ‘Cacoy’ Canete in July of 2000.

Jerry Fatjo owns and operates the Fatjo’s Martial Arts Center in Morganville, NJ. He teaches adults, teens, and kids the arts of Muay Thai, submission grappling, Doce Pares, and JFJKD. His submission fighting team, Team FMAC/Fernando Cabeca continues to compete. In November 2002, he received an award for being the “TOP NEW TEAM IN NORTH AMERICA!” It was presented to him by the President of the North American Grappling Association, Kipp Kollar.

In 2003, Jerry and Eric Colon, of Tong Dragon Martial Arts and a long-time training partner and friend, decided to join their two teams together. They all fight under the new team name, “New Jersey IMB/Cabeca.”

In January of 2004 Jerry received his new instructor certification from Sifu Richard Bustillo. In March of 2011 Sifu Richard Bustillo awarded him with the new rank of IMB “Master Instructor.”

Jerry continues to learn from Chris Ascari and Sifu Richard Bustillo of the IMB as well as train and fight. He currently continues his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training with Brazilian Black Belt and champion Fernando Cabeca. Jerry achieved his blue belt in BJJ from Fernando in March of 2003. In April of 2007, Jerry earned his Purple Belt. He earned his Brown Belt under Fernando in November of 2011. He earned his Brown Belt under Fernando in November of 2011 and his Black Belt in BJJ in October 2014. Beginning in 2004, Jerry began annual trips to Brazil to grow his Jiu-Jitsu game.

Jerry is also a former Mixed Martial Arts Fight Inspector for the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (SACB). He has also trained competitors to step into the Ring for Muay Thai and the cage for MMA Competition. The team has been very successful!

In 2019, Jerry had the honor of being inducted into the NJ Martial Arts Hall of Fame!

Mr. Dante

Mr. Dante started his martial arts journey in American Kickboxing at the age of 12, training under Sensi Eddie Perez in Bronx, NY.

In 2010, Dante joined Fatjo’s MMA, training Muay Thai Kickboxing / No GI Grappling under Master Instructor, Jerry Fatjo, and other high rank instructors.

In 2018, Dante became a Fatjo’s instructor and now teaches kids, teens, and adults.

Dante has also competed in both Kickboxing and Muay Thai amateur bouts, and has helped prepare and corner several of his teammates for MMA, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts competitions.

Mr. Dante earned his Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in late 2020 and his Purple belt in October 2023.