John Acosta started his Jiu Jitsu training just 48 hours after the very first UFC; in November, 1993. He trained for about one year with Nelson Monteiro from Gracie Barra in Del Mar, CA, before making the switch to learn from Fabio Santos in 1994. Fabio had just arrived in the San Diego area after having taught at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA alongside Rorion and Royce Gracie.
After training under Fabio for only six months, John quit his day job, sold his car and started working at the Academy. Sweeping and mopping the mats, cleaning the bathrooms, answering the phones and then later starting to teach the weekly Introductory Classes and then Private Lessons, allowed John to train five days a week, twice a day for many years.
In November, 1995 after only two years of training, John entered his first MMA Fight in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the level of a 3rd Degree Blue Belt. By beating his first two opponents in less than three minutes, he made it to the Finals. The last fight lasted the full ten minutes with his opponent getting the victory by Judge’s Decision. This was back when you had to fight three opponents in the same night to win.
In 1999 after reaching Purple Belt, John decided it was best to start being “responsible” and returned to the workforce, bought a car and started living the American Dream. Years later, he realized the so called American Dream was a complete headache and it didn’t bring him the happiness he was searching for. The financial trap of impressing friends and looking for self gratification by filling his life with material things; only left his soul (and his wallet) empty. So he returned to the Academy and resumed his training, having received the Brown Belt from Fabio Santos in April, 2009 and then just over 1 year later; the Black Belt in May, 2010.
John makes no claims of being an amazing competitor with multiple tournament victories. Rather, he is a great teacher, coach and instructor that can analyze your skills and better them. By being able to recognize and identify your strengths & weaknesses, he can help you fine-tune your Jiu Jitsu game. There is no denying that teaching and competing are two completely different skill sets. Having studied under Fabio Santos (who received his Black Belt from Rickson Gracie and his Red & Black Belt from Relson Gracie) since 1994, John has been able to replicate the teaching methods passed down to him by Master Fabio Santos.
John believes that there is no room for cockiness, arrogance or egotistical behavior in a Jiu Jitsu Academy. The Martial Arts should be a source of positive energy leading to a person being able to make themselves a better person overall through a humble attitude, self confidence, fitness and health. Jiu Jitsu is a Lifestyle of treating people better, making new friends, learning how to defend & protect yourself and practicing a healthy diet.
Everybody has different goals in life or more specifically, in Jiu Jitsu. Some want to do MMA Fights, some want to win Gold Medals at Jiu Jitsu Competitions, some want to learn Self-Defense and some just want to get a good workout while learning a valuable skill. Regardless of your goals, John can help guide you to reach them.
John’s classes offer a true Ego-Free training environment where you will always feel welcome and be treated with kindness, fairness, respect and dignity. Come in and try out a Free Introductory Class or just relax and watch a lesson anytime.