Fortitude Martial Arts
FORTITUDE
MARTIAL ARTS
Welcome to Fortitude Martial Arts, where we invite you to embark on a journey of discipline and empowerment through the self-defense disciplines of Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA.
ABOUT
ABOUT
At Fortitude Martial Arts, we blend the time-honored techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with the practicality of Sheepdog Jiu-Jitsu curriculum, providing our students with a comprehensive approach to personal protection. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, our dedicated instructors are here to guide you on your martial arts journey, helping you develop both physical prowess and mental fortitude.
About Us >PROGRAMS
PROGRAMS
Jiu-Jitsu
Muay Thai
MMA
INSTRUCTORS
INSTRUCTORS
Coach Brandon Ruiz (Owner)
Coach Brandon is the Owner and head Jiu-Jitsu instructor. He has been training Jiu-Jitsu since 2008 and wrestling since 2003. He has 9 years of Jiu-Jitsu coaching experience and over a decade of training in Gracie Combatives.
- IBJJF Gold medalist
- NAGA Gold medalist
- 4-Time Grappler's Quest medalist
- Submission Hunter Pro winner shown on UFC Fight Pass in September 2023
COACH NOE GRAJALES
Coach Noe is the head Muay Thai instructor. He has been training Jiu-Jitsu since 2008 and Muay Thai since 2012. He's trained with multiple high-level Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. Coach Noe is a certified Khan Two - Yellow Mongkol by the Muay Thai Alliance of Texas.
- IBJJF Gold medalist
- NAGA Gold medalist
- 4-Time Grappler's Quest medalist
- 2-0 MMA record
We are a Sheepdog Jiu-Jitsu Association
PROFESSOR BLAKE
HAYES
Professor Blake Hayes is the Head Instructor of Sheepdog Jiu-Jitsu in Tulsa. He has a lifetime of experience in martial arts. He has trained non-stop since 1986 in self-defense arts including Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai, Judo, and wrestling. Blake earned his black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 2012. He co-founded Sheepdog Response with Tim Kennedy in 2015 and has traveled all over the country training all levels of military, law enforcement, and civilians in life saving skills. He is also an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor and Oklahoma Self Defense Act Instructor. Blake teaches a combination of all these skills at Sheepdog Jiu-Jitsu, with an emphasis on preparing our students to handle worst case scenarios and feel comfortable in what would be the most uncomfortable positions possible for an untrained person.
We believe in the Adopt A Cop BJJ mission - every law enforcement officer should be at least a blue belt in jiu-jitsu. Police officers frequently encounter challenging situations that can swiftly escalate to a life-threatening level. Proficiency in grappling enhances an officer's ability to assert control, thereby reducing the risk of harm or fatality for both the officer and the suspect in confrontational scenarios.
Adopt A Cop BJJ >HISTORY
HISTORY OF JIU-JITSU
Judo Emerges
Jigoro Kano, a practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu, founded Judo in 1882. Kano refined the art, focusing on throws and groundwork while eliminating more dangerous techniques. Judo became a sport with an emphasis on leverage and technique over brute strength.
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Japanese Jiu-Jitsu
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, originating in feudal Japan, was a comprehensive martial art practiced by samurai for self-defense. It included a diverse range of techniques, such as strikes, joint locks, throws, and grappling.
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Mitsuyo Maeda and the Gracie Connection
Mitsuyo Maeda, a Judo master, traveled to Brazil in the early 20th century. There, he befriended Gastão Gracie, and in gratitude for Gracie's assistance, Maeda taught Judo to Carlos Gracie. The Gracie family adapted and modified these techniques, laying the foundation for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
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Formation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Carlos Gracie, along with his brothers, continued refining and developing the art. BJJ emphasized ground fighting, submissions, and positional control, allowing smaller individuals to defend themselves against larger opponents. The Gracie family organized challenge matches to demonstrate the effectiveness of BJJ.
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Helio Gracie and Challenge Matches
Helio Gracie, a smaller and less physically imposing member of the family, further refined BJJ to suit his own body type. He gained recognition through challenging and defeating opponents of various martial arts in famous matches.
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Globalization and UFC
In the 1990s, BJJ gained international attention through the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Royce Gracie, a member of the Gracie family, showcased the effectiveness of BJJ by winning early UFC tournaments, sparking a global interest in the martial art.
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Spread of BJJ Worldwide
JJ schools began to emerge globally, and practitioners from different martial arts backgrounds sought to integrate BJJ techniques into their training. BJJ became a fundamental component of mixed martial arts (MMA), contributing to its evolution as a distinct martial art.
