Why I Love BJJ?
BJJ is the premiere art of mixed martial arts and premier martial art in the world over. It is a safe and effective way to defend yourself and provides us with a passionate culture unlike any other. Relationships and bonds that cannot be replicated happen because of our gentle art.
Gracie/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Ken Primola
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Ken Primola has been grappling for over 20 years. Ken started wrestling at 12 years of age and ended up earning a Division I varsity letter in college. After college Ken began his study of Gracie jiu Jitsu, earning his Blue belt from Rorion Gracie's hands in 2000. Thereafter Ken travelled to Los Angeles to train with Rickson Gracie, Ken did get to train with Rickson briefly but Rickson shortly left to Brazil during that time period. Ken then travelled south and trained with Rodrigo Medieros of BJJ Revolution in San Diego for over two years. Upon moving to Philadelphia Ken earned his purple through black belt from Legendary Relson Gracie Black Belts Phil Migliarese aka The Jiu Jitsu Matrix and Ricardo Migliarese.
Duiring Ken's brazilian jiu jitsu career he won the CBJJ Pan Am no gi adult tournament at 32 years of age, beating a TUF (UFC aka Ultimate Fight Championships reality show) contestant in the brown belt finals. Prior to this Ken won the adult advanced divsion of the north american graplling association world championships (NAGA) and simultaneously won the combined brown and black belt championships as a brown belt the same day, a rare feat. As a purple belt Ken tested his skills in Brazil by winning the masters world championship, submitting two of four brazilians before being crowned champion. Ken has also placed and/or won many smaller regional tournaments and has been involved in many super fights. Ken's last great accomplishment came at this years Mundials where he was only one of a handfull of Americans to win matches at the black belt level. Ken won two matches and lost in the absolute division to eventual super heavyweight champion Gabriel Vella. Ken accomplished this feat at 33 years of age, which is amazing.
Ken's teaching ability is truly unique, the list of who he has studied under reads like a who's who of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling. This coupled with the fact that Ken has a law degree allows Ken to organize the techniques and articulate fluidly. Here are some of Ken's notable training partners, teachers and time spent:
Brasa/Alliance: World Champions Ricardo Vieira, Jacare, Comprido, and Felipe Costa three months in Rio De Janiero.
Nova Uniao: 7x World Champion Robson Moura, 2 x per week for one year private lessons and his tournament sparring partner.
Nova Geracao: Michel Porfirio - 3x per week private lessons with Carlson lineage blackbelt.
Participant of 2 x Olympic Gold Medalist John Smith limited students intensive training Camp.
Divsion I college wrestler under University of Northern Iowa's Mark Manning and wrestler at East Stroudsburg University.
Below are some photos of Ken and his bjj experiences.
Duiring Ken's brazilian jiu jitsu career he won the CBJJ Pan Am no gi adult tournament at 32 years of age, beating a TUF (UFC aka Ultimate Fight Championships reality show) contestant in the brown belt finals. Prior to this Ken won the adult advanced divsion of the north american graplling association world championships (NAGA) and simultaneously won the combined brown and black belt championships as a brown belt the same day, a rare feat. As a purple belt Ken tested his skills in Brazil by winning the masters world championship, submitting two of four brazilians before being crowned champion. Ken has also placed and/or won many smaller regional tournaments and has been involved in many super fights. Ken's last great accomplishment came at this years Mundials where he was only one of a handfull of Americans to win matches at the black belt level. Ken won two matches and lost in the absolute division to eventual super heavyweight champion Gabriel Vella. Ken accomplished this feat at 33 years of age, which is amazing.
Ken's teaching ability is truly unique, the list of who he has studied under reads like a who's who of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling. This coupled with the fact that Ken has a law degree allows Ken to organize the techniques and articulate fluidly. Here are some of Ken's notable training partners, teachers and time spent:
Brasa/Alliance: World Champions Ricardo Vieira, Jacare, Comprido, and Felipe Costa three months in Rio De Janiero.
Nova Uniao: 7x World Champion Robson Moura, 2 x per week for one year private lessons and his tournament sparring partner.
Nova Geracao: Michel Porfirio - 3x per week private lessons with Carlson lineage blackbelt.
Participant of 2 x Olympic Gold Medalist John Smith limited students intensive training Camp.
Divsion I college wrestler under University of Northern Iowa's Mark Manning and wrestler at East Stroudsburg University.
Below are some photos of Ken and his bjj experiences.
