ABOUT US
In 2000, while serving in the United States Marine Corps, Greenwich Native, Jeff Morris was unceremoniously introduced to a strange martial art, from a far away land: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. At the time, the concept of strategically dominating a large, aggressive opponent, from an inferior position, seemed to be an impossibility, at least without a large dose of imagination. However, Jeff was pleasantly surprised to see how quickly the techniques could be both learned and applied in real-time situations. Twenty-five years later, and countless hours of mat time spent both training and instructing, Jeff can truly say how significantly he underestimated the power of the art. Be it self-defense, competition, personal empowerment, bullying prevention or even spiritual awakening, Jiu-Jitsu has the power to ground you in reality while forcing you to grow in ways unimaginable. At the Greenwich Jiu Jitsu Academy, we embrace the struggle, the beauty and the growth that Jiu Jitsu provides and we look forward to sharing those experiences with you and your children. Jeff Morris, an active Law Enforcement Detective, is also a certified State of Connecticut Law Enforcement Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician and Private Security Specialist.
Angel began his training in September of 2010, followed by quickly advancing to the rank of Blue Belt from Jungle Gym Martial Arts, Bronx NY before making a permanent move to Stratford, CT. Once settled in Connecticut and fighting under a new banner, Angel proceeded to earn his Purple Belt, Brown Belt , and eventually the coveted Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under the legendary Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa, Mutiple Time World Champion and founder of Double Five Jiu Jitsu.
"I feel like every time I step on the mat my ground game improves whether I'm drilling, sparring, or teaching. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is my biggest passion and my goal is to help build champions in Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and in life."
JEFF MORRIS
OWNER & HEAD INSTRUCTOR
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BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU BLACK BELT 1st DEGREE UNDER
Master Marcio "Macarrao" Stambowsky
Gracie Sports
Angel Torres - Instructor
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BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU BLACK BELT UNDER
Professor Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa
Double Five Jiu Jitsu
Chris started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu back in 2008 after graduating from college. He ran track at Syracuse University and was looking for a new way to stay in shape, which brought him back to martial arts. Chris started martial arts at the age of 7 studying Shotokan Karate all the way through high school and only stopped when he went to college. After graduating, Chris along with some friends decided to join a local Jiu-Jitsu academy as they were all Mixed Martial Arts enthusiasts and wanted to learn ground fighting. This eventually led him to BlackHole Jiu-Jitsu led my Mike Wacker located in Dutchess County, NY. After moving to NYC a few years later, Chris trained under Sam Marji of Animals MMA in Yonkers, NY for close to 6 years. He then moved again to Jersey City, NJ and trained under David Branch for a few more years where he eventually received his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. Chris has a passion for teaching and loves to focus his time on helping develop the next generation of Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. He teaches a competition style of Jiu-Jitsu after many years of competing himself winning multiple tournaments throughout his time on the mats. Chris has his B.S. in IT & Finance from Syracuse University, his MBA from Fordham University and currently works in banking.
Chris Mitchell - Instructor
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BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU BLACK BELT 1st DEGREE UNDER
Professor David Branch
David Branch BJJ/Renzo Gracie
Nick has been training jiujitsu for over 11 years. When he first started training, Nick was significantly smaller and less experienced than all of his training partners. Due to these disadvantages, Nick slowly built up a strong, defensive-minded game that eventually allowed him to be formidable in both the gym, and in competitions. In the past few years, Nick has had training partners that were smaller than him, giving him the opportunity to hone in skills offensive that would work with a faster, more flexible opponent. His “game” consists of a strong blend of technique and pressure that are applicable to all jiujitsu practitioners, regardless of experience and size.
Nick has a Masters degree in Special Education, spending the last 13 years working in public schools as a Special Education Teacher, Autism Consultant, and a Paraprofessional before that. Nick has taught jiujitsu to all ages, 3-73, and from all different skill levels, first day trial classes to a room full of black belts. While constructing lesson plans, behavior management (for the kiddos!), and delivering instruction with fidelity all come with years of teaching, Nick’s main skill is making sure that you will understand what is being taught and how the teaching applies to you. If you do not understand something, Nick will figure out how to make the technique or concept work for you and your game, body type, and/or any other exceptionalities that you may possess.
Nick Coletti - Instructor
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU BLACK BELT
UNDER
Professor Noa Moke
ATOS Tacoma - Legend Jiu Jitsu Academy
Christopher “Wetfoot Bob” Bedoya first encountered the gentle art of Jiu Jitsu at the age of 12 after a friend invited him to attend a class at the Greenwich Jiu Jitsu Club. It was at this club, (operated out of a karate/ballet studio and led by then BJJ blue belts, Jeff Morris, Joe Darula, and Manny Estrada) that he became hooked on Jiu Jitsu and was given the nickname “Wetfoot Bob”. In high school, Bob expanded his love of grappling by joining the Greenwich HS wrestling team and training with Jeff and members of the GPD on mats in garages and local parks. A cellist since age nine, Bob attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he earned a Bachelor's degree in cello performance and taught cello at a local academy. During his time in Texas, Bob found himself on the mats training at various gyms in the Greater Waco Area. During summers in CT, Bob spent many days training within local gyms and grappling facilities. In 2019 Bob moved back to Greenwich to pursue a master's degree in cello performance and receive more training in cello pedagogy. It did not take very long before Bob once more found himself on mats training with Jeff. Only this time, Jeff has upgraded from mats in garages to the Greenwich Jiu Jitsu Academy. Bob continues to teach cello to students of all ages at the Greenwich Suzuki Academy and delights in using his pedagogical training as a cellist to influence his instruction as a Coach at the Greenwich Jiu Jitsu Academy.
