Chris Jones
Chris began his formal Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training at the Brown Institute (Dayton, OH) in 1999 under well reknown UFC instructor/fighter Jorge Gurgel. While there, Chris honed his kickboxing with Jeff Brown, an Ajarn Chai Sirisute certified instructor and owner of aforementioned school. As one of Gurgels first students, Chris went on to train for a month in Fortaleza, Brazil with Gurgels professor, UFC/Pride instructor/fighter Marcus Aurielo. Upon his return to the United States, Jones received his Blue and eventually his Purple Belt promotions under the intensive scrutiny of Aurielo himself. It was at this time that Jeff Brown appointed Chris head Jiu-Jitsu Instructor at the Brown Institute from 2001-2004. Chris then relocated to Durango, CO in 2005 to open Durango Martial Arts as Owner/Head Instructor of the first and only true Mixed Martial Arts/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Southwestern Colorado.
Chris went on to receive his Brown Belt from Helio “Soneca” Morerija, an original Gracie Barra Black Belt in 2007. In preparation for his Black Belt, Chris has further trained with Gokor Chivichyan. Jones has since competed in numerous Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, never finishing lower than third. His current MMA record is 5-0 with all wins coming by submission or knockout and is currently the Rocky Mountain National Welterweight Champion (MMA). Chris takes a hands-on approach when instructing; combining his sincere love of the arts with a focus and dedicated desire to impart such knowledge onto his students.
Notable acclaim:
- Relson Gracie National Champion Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic, 2nd Place
- Ohio Pro Am (Pro Division), 2nd Place
- Two Time Hayastan Grappling
Champion - One Time Hayastan Absolute Champion
- NAGA Vegas (Advanced Division),
3rd Place - Colorado Fight To Win, (Advanced Division), Gi & No Gi Champion
- Current Rocky Mountain National MMA Champion (Welterweight)
Dylan Clay
Raised right here in Durango, CO, Dylan began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training with Floyd Sword and Joey Villasenior at the Durango Sports Club in 1996 as a junior in high school. In 2001 he moved to Maui, Wailuku, HI and continued his study of the art with Rickson Gracie at the famed Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu. It was there that Dylan received his Brown Belt from James Tanaka, an accredited Rickson Gracie Black Belt. Dylan began teaching in 2008 at BRAZILIAN FREESTYLE JIU-JITSU and began his professional career in 2003. During his stay in Hawaii he often traveled to train. He spent six weeksstudying Muay Thai Kickboxing in Thailand with Sinbi Muay Thai in Naiharn, Thailand. While there, Dylan had two professional Muay Thai fights at the famed Bangla Boxing Stadium in Patong, winning both by K.O. Next was on toFukuoka, Japan to study Judo with Yuki Nakai. Finally Dylan came full circle to his Jiu-Jitsu roots, training in Rio De Janerio, Brazil at Akxe BJJ Alliance. In 2010 Dylan retuned to Durango and began instructing at Durango Martial Arts. The vast amount of experience and respect for varying Martial Arts and cultures made Dylan a perfect fit for our academy, in his town.
Notable acclaim:
- Current X1 Champion (Welterweight) defeating UFC fighter Brandon Wolff
- 9-2 MMA record
Matt Young
Born and raised in Durango, Matt also began his training as a teenager at the Durango Sports Club with Floyd Sword and Joey Villasenior in 2003 while attending Durango High School. Young followed the duo to Farmington, NM when they opened Four Corners Martial Arts to continue his training. Eventually Matt took over teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Durango Sports Club until 2006 when he joined the newly opened Durango Martial Arts. Matt received his Purple Belt in 2009, three years after joining from Owner/Head Instructor Chris Jones. Currently Matt is Head Kids Instructor with over five years of teaching experience under him, with many of his students placing and winning various tournaments and competitions.
Notable acclaim:
- Grapplers Quest, 2nd Place
- NAGA Vegas Gi & No Gi Champion
- 2-0 MMA record with last win over former King Of The Cage Champion Angelo Sanchez
Steve Hanna
Originally from Bayfield, Colorado, Steve is now a resident of Durango and joined Durango Martial Arts shortly after opening in 2006. Steve was new to Mixed Martial Arts and has, needless to say, “taken the MMA ball and sprinted with it.” The first two years DMA was open, Steve came to class nearly five days a week and has embodied what hard work and dedication can do for someone new to the Arts. In 2008 Steve began teaching Beginner Jiu-Jitsu and a mere two years later began teaching at the Intermediate level. Steve received his Purple Belt from Owner/Head Instructor Chris Jones in 2009.
Notable acclaim:
- NAGA Vegas, 2nd Place, 2007 NAGA Vegas, Gi & No Gi Champion,
2009 - Colorado Fight To Win, Advanced Division, 2nd Place (behind Owner/Head
Instructor Chris Jones), 2009 - NAGA Colorado, Absolute Division, 2nd
Place (behind Ultimate Fighter Heavyweight Justin Wren) - 1-1 MMA record
- 1-0 Muay Thai Kickboxing record
