FATJO’S MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Instructors & Staff
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!
Fernando Cabeca
Fernando Cabeca began his training in 1987 in Salvador BA. Brazil. In 1990, he moved to Rio where he trained in many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo schools. In 1997, Fernando came to the United States and taught at the Machado Academy under the tutelage of Rigan Machado. He was awarded his Brown Belt in 1998 from Nilton Ferreira and his Black Belt in November of 2001. Nilton Ferreira’s Academy is located in Salvador, Brazil. Fernando is both a Brazilian State and National Champion.
In 2004, Fernando was voted “Instructor of the Year” by the North American Grappling Association.
Fernando is also the President and one of the founders of the New Jersey Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation. The Federation hosts BJJ Tournaments for athletes to test their skills.
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.
Mr. Kevin
Kevin started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Fatjo’s Mixed Martial Arts in 2008 at the age of 17. What was originally just a way to stay in shape quickly morphed into much more. Kevin earned his Blue Belt from Fernando “Cabeca” Sarmento Jr while attending Rutgers University. He graduated in 2012, and earned his Purple Belt the following year. Kevin competed and earned medals in Jiu Jitsu competitions across multiple belt levels and weight classes throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. In 2014, Kevin traveled with the team to Salvador, Bahia Brazil for the first time. He spent the week training with BJJ Black Belt Nilton Ferreira, Fernando’s instructor. Since then, Kevin traveled to Brazil a total of five times, including in 2017 when he earned his Brown Belt during the trip. Kevin was awarded his BJJ Black Belt in 2022.
In addition to training BJJ, Kevin has assisted with training, preparing and cornering several teammates for their MMA and Kickboxing fights. He’s taught the Saturday BJJ classes since early 2016 and Kids BJJ classes starting in 2017.
Mr. Chris
Chris Elles has been training in martial arts exclusively under Master Instructor Jerry Fatjo and other high-rank Fatjos MMA instructors since 2013. In the fall of 2018, Chris earned his Muay Thai Kickboxing black armband alongside his oldest son, who received his black belt in MMA. Chris continues training Muay Thai several days per week and has been instructing adult classes since 2019. Aside from his dedication and commitment to Fatjos MMA, Chris is a co-owner of The Syndicate, an independent entertainment marketing agency based out of Weehawken NJ, established in 1998.
Mr Justin
Mr Justin is a Black Belt in our MMA system and a Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He currently helps out with the kids classes.
Mr Chad
Mr Chad is a Black Belt in our MMA system and a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He currently helps out with the kids classes a couple nights a week.
Mr.Mikah
Mr.Mikah is a Black Belt in our Mixed Martial Arts System and Blue Belt in our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu System. He helps teach the kids and teens classes. He started his training at 6 years old where he grew to love the sport. He still trains till this day and can see him in the adult Muay Thai and BJJ classes.
TEACHING MIXED MARTIAL ARTS TO MONMOUTH COUNTY SINCE 1996
FATJO'S MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
CONTACT US
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Or give us a call at 732.970.0065
Fatjo's Mixed Martial Arts
479 New Jersey Highway 79, Morganville, New Jersey 07751, USA
(732) 970-0065
Gym H0urs
Monday-Friday: 4:00PM - 8:30PM
Saturday: 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Sunday: Closed