Opened in Monte Vista in February 2024 to bring Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the San Luis Valley.
Imperial South is a gym, but the part that keeps people coming back is the room. Members train hard, look after each other, and take newcomers seriously without making a fuss of them. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA, on the mat five nights a week.
The academy opened in February 2024 because there was nothing like it in the valley. Before that, training seriously meant driving hours out of the San Luis Valley.
Imperial South is part of Imperial BJJ of Lakewood, Colorado, and an affiliate of Demian Maia Jiu Jitsu Brasileiro (DMJJB). Demian Maia is an ADCC and IBJJF World Champion and one of the most respected grapplers in the sport. That lineage is what sits behind the instruction here — it is not a franchise sign on the wall.
Professor · Lead Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Started in martial arts young — Cuong Nhu, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Systema — before finding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in college and committing to grappling for good. Trained under Professors Amal Easton and later Tony Basile, earning his black belt in August 2023. Lead Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Imperial South since spring 2024, teaching with an emphasis on student safety while preparing people for real situations.
Owner & Founder
Began training in 2017 under Hans Thompson in the Zingano lineage, then moved to the Kompound, a Rafael Lovato Jr. affiliate. Started at Imperial when it opened in Denver in December 2023, and opened Imperial South in Monte Vista in February 2024 to bring something to the San Luis Valley that had not been available here before. Now trains and teaches under the Demian Maia Jiu Jitsu Brasileiro affiliation. Competes when life allows.
Muay Thai & Boxing Coach
Trained Muay Thai under Nick Chasteen — "the Goldenboy" — at Golden Era Muay Thai in Phoenix, Arizona, in the lineage of Master Bob Karmel, and boxed out of Central Boxing in Arizona. Competed as an amateur in Phoenix, going 2-0 in Muay Thai and 1-0 in boxing. Around fifteen years in the striking arts.
Instructor
Eighteen years a martial artist, starting with Tae Kwon Do, kickboxing and wrestling at twelve in Webb City, Missouri, and focused on Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai and MMA for the past seven. Competed steadily as a white and blue belt across California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, and won his MMA debut in Oklahoma by submission in 29 seconds. Now an active law enforcement officer in the San Luis Valley.
Your first week is free.
