205 School St.
Gardner, MA
01440
Grappling: combo of Judo, wrestling, Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Techniques include takedeowns, chokes, & joint locks.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
a grappling art based on leverage. The objective is to control and submit the opponent with a joint lock or choke. Practiced with and with out a gi.Judo: A grappling art focusing on throws using leverage. Practiced with and without a Gi. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) combination of: striking & grappling.
Wrestling: A grappling art focusing on taking the opponent down, controlling him or her, and pinning.
Karate: for the traditional martial artist, stresses discipline, and respect. Meditation, bowing, techniques, drilling, and sparring are included. All students wear a gi. A belt ranking system is used.
Weapons: fighting techniques using the Bo, Kamas, & Nunchakus
Cardio Kickboxing: This cutting edge workout class will get you into shape in no time flat. You no longer have to throw borring punches and kicks in the air. Now you can put the gloves on, pair up with a partner and hit the pads with the same combinations, world champions use to win in the cage and ring. The class begins with a warm up, stretch, then moves to pad work, abs, and a cool down, all while listening to music. Your coordination, power, muscular endurance, and cardiovascular fitness will improve.
Muay Thai Drills: The stepping stone between hitting pads, and sparring, you'll learn the intricate offensive and defensive technique you will using in sparring.
Muay Thai Sparring: This is where you put your conditioning and your skills to the test in a live situation. The objective is to safely prepare the student for a real fight.
Strenth and Conditioning: With a 2X World Powerlifting Champion in house, who has over a decade of training amateur and professional athletes, the fighting arts academy is ready to help you reach all your fitness goals, no matter if they are simply to trim up and be in better health or to have the mind blowing conditioning of an elite fighter.
Strong Man & Power lifting: If your goals aren't to fight but to just be the king of strength, that's okay too. The Fighting Arts Academy is here to meet your needs whatever they are
.
Fighter Training: The Fighting Arts Academy consists of a network of 3 Schools and is home to 34 professional and amateur MMA fighters, boxers, Muay Thai Fighters, and Grapplers. The training programs are put together by 15 experienced coaches. No matter where you are in your career the Fightin Arts Academy will push you to the next level.
Fighter Managing: This is one of the most overlooked areas in the fight game especially for young athletes eager to jump into the fight game. Planning a fighters career to keep them in the best physical and financial state of well being is in the fighter's best interest. Proper fighgter management takes a solid understanding of the fight game, and a true caring for the fighter.
Women: The Fighting Arts Academy is a great place for women to come get in shape, have fun and learn to protect themselves.
Kids & Tots: Classes are taught in a fun, exciting, and safe manner, using drills and games. Children will learn discipline, and respect. They will learn team work, self-defense, and will improve their balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, power, and endurance.
Teens: What better way to keep your teens off the streets and from hanging with the wrong crowd? Many young people who have teetered between taking the right path and the wrong one have made the right choice after being exposed to the discipline, respect, and camaraderie the Fighting Arts Academy provides.
All Levels: Whether you are a seasoned professional fighter or have not worked out in years, the Fighting Arts Academy is just right for you. It is a place where you can feel comfortable and will be encouraged no matter what your ability is.
Rankings: Not a necessity, but every student has the option of pursuing a belt rank in Brazilin Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Grappling, the Fighting Arts Academy's own hybrid brand of MMA, and Kenpo Karate
Clinics: The Fighting Arts Academy holds regular training clinics, and intensive camps to improve the skills of the student in a fun way that goes above and beyond that of regular class.
Seminars: The Fighting Arts Academy holds regular seminars taught by top notch teachers from other schools, many different disciplines, and from all over the world. These seminars have included 2 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Seminars, 4 Wrestling Seminars, 1 Muay Thai Seminar. The Fighting Arts Academy will continue to host seminars taught by outside coaches to improve the skills of its teachers and students.
Gabriel "Gladiator" Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association
You now can be part of this fantastic association designed to bring to you authentic Brazlian Jiu Jitu from one of the greats. As a member you will recieve an identification card, a monthly newsletter about Gabriel and the Association as well as updates on competition team training, seminars, testing requirements, and belt testing. You will recieve discounts on Gi's, seminars, and patches.
Gabriel has spent his life training under Carlson Gracie Sr, who he recieved his black belt from and is now devoted to spreading top notch quality Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to you.
Instructors
Mike Gibbs was born in 1979, grew up in Athol Massachusetts and has lived in the area ever since. Even as a toddler he took an interest in combative sports, when he was first inspired by Rocky and then the Karate Kid. From that point on he watched or read anything and everything on the martial arts that he could get a hold of. Though there were many traditional schools in the area, none of them appealed to Mike. It was as if there was something missing. It wasn't until he watched UFC 5 live on Pay-Per-View that he believed he had found a system of martial arts that really works. Like so many enthusiastic teenage fans of the UFC, he had no idea that what would become MMA would one day encompass the world the way it now does.
After seeing the UFC for the first time, he sought to learn the grappling techniques the fighters were winning with at the time. He joined a local school offering a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program under the Gracie Association. From there he searched for a more complete system and found Grand Masters Shihan Walt Lysak (Co-Founder of ICAT, and Sento Martial Arts), Jr and Charlie Lysak, both of whom he stays in close contact with and holds much respect for. Walt was the first person to teach Mike striking, wrestling, leg locks, and proper street self defense. It was Charlie (founder of Primal Strength Training & Co-Founder of Sento Martial Arts) who taught the training that would produce the kind of animalistic strength and power needed to win a fight. Through Walt, he met Jeremy Libezweski, the man who would be his mentor in the fight game. Jeremy taught Mike his very technical Muay Thai, and MMA system and his advanced philospohy on martial arts, fighting, and coaching. With his life long dream to fight having been crushed by a heart complication, Mike set his goals on coaching and to this day has had no better teacher and admittedly feels he owes his success to Jeremy. To this day, they remain the best of friends.
-Gym Manager,F.A. Academy Gardner Founder, Head Trainer
- Certified Trainer and Cornerman under The Fighting Arts Academy.
- Has cornered and trained over 10 professional and amateur MMA fighters including:
- Ben Young
- Christian Stickney
- Paulo Gomes
- Kemal Banatte
- EIF Middleweight Champion: Justin "Smash" Torrey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yun5T0yA70o
- Hudson Valley Muay Thai Coach: Brendan Weafer
- The Fighting Arts Academy Founder & Head Coach: Jeremy Libiszewski.
3. Cornered in over 30 Amateur Boxing Fights
4. Cornered in 2 MMA Title Fights
5. Cornered in 1 World Title Boxing Fights
6. Trained over 20 Amateur and Professional Boxers
7. Trainer of 20 Competitive Grapplers
8 Trained 6 Police Officers
9. Trained 7 Correctional Officers
10. Holds two 1st Place NAGA Titles
11. Member of Former NAGA Tournament Team Winner
12 Has 12 years of training and teaching experience.
13. Has learned from and trained with the best: 14 Champions, including 2 UFC Champions, 8 Other MMA Champions, 3 World Class Wrestlers (Olympic Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist, 2X Olympian & Olympic Coach, Rodney Smith), 1 World Kickboxing Champion, 1 World Karate Champion, 1 Mongolian Wrestling World Champion, 2 Nationally Ranked Strenght & Conditioning Coaches, 2 World Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts, 2 World Renowned Reality Martial Arts Masters.
14. King of the Mat Referee
15. Graduate of Mount Wachusett Community College where he was on the Dean's List
16. Former Worcester State College Dean's List Member
17. Has Taught Students with Special Needs
18. Has Taught Troubled Youth
19. Experience in overcoming adversity brought on by a traumatic childhood experience
20. Experience in dealing with a Hoarder.
Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos
Gabriel Santos was born in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and at a very young age got into Jiu-Jitsu of the renowned master, Carlson Gracie. Gabriel is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, has twice accomplished the State Championship in Rio, is Brazilian Group Championship and holds the Second Place in World Championship.
He is also the Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo State Champion.
In 2001, he started preparing for MMA and throughout the years has been training with athletes such as Ricardo Libório, Murilo Bustamante, Zé Mario Sperry, Amaury Bitetti, Wallid Ismail, Vitor Belfort, Carlos Barreto, Nogueira Brothers, Ricardo Arona and Paulo Filho to name a few.
In 2005 premiered with success at Cage Rage 10, which is the biggest MMA event in Europe.
Gabriel Gladiator is nowadays one of the greatest outstanding fighters in the MMA World scenario, in the middleweight division (185lbs)
Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos SPORT RESUME:
JIU-JITSU
National Brazilian Championship (Super League) – 1997/ 185lb/ 1st place I Big Tournament CONDE KOMA – 1997/ 185lb/ 1st place National Brazilian Championship (CBJJ) – 1998/ 185lb/ 3rd place National Brazilian Team Championship (CBJJ) – 1998/ Open Weight/ 1st place World Championship (CBJJ) – 1998/ 185lb/ 2nd place 2 Times State Championship Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (FJJRJ) – 1999 and 2001/ 185lb/ 1st place 8 Times Niteroi Championship – 1999 to 2005/ 185lb and Open Weight/ 1st place Big Challenge Rio de Janeiro versus Niteroi – 2003/ 185lb/ 1st place World Cup (CBJJO) – 2002/ 185lb/ 3rd place NAGA New England – 2009/ 185lb/ 1st place
SUBMISSION WRESTLING (NO GI)
Rio de Janeiro State Champion – 2003/ Open Weight/ 1st place Sao Paulo State Champion – 2004/ 185lb/ 1st place ADCC Trials ( Campos , RJ) – 2004/ 185lb/ 2nd place I Rio de Janeiro Summer Cup – 2004/ Open Weight/ 1st place National Brazilian Championship – 2005/ 185lb/ 1st place Fight Zone (USA) – 2008/ Open Weight/ 1st place Arnold Grappling Championship (USA/ OH) – 2008/ Open Weight/ 3rd place NAGA New England- 2010/189lbs/1st place
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) CAREER
Result Opponent Method Date Round Time
Loss Nate Kittredge Decision (Unanimous) 9/27/2008 N/A N/A
Win Jerry Spiegel Decision (Unanimous) 5/30/2008 N/A N/A
Win Julio Feliciano Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) 5/9/2008 1 3:27
Win Josh Hesser Submission (Ankle Lock) 2/23/2008 1 4:55
Win Fernando Rivera Submission (Kimura) 10/27/2007 1 N/A
Win Rigo Dominicci TKO 9/29/2007 1 N/A
Loss Vinicius Bhorer TKO 4/14/2007 1 3:41
Loss Daniel Aspe Decision 10/13/2006 N/A N/A
Loss Fabio Nascimento Decision (Unanimous) 8/11/2006 3 5:00
Loss Pedro Santos Decision 4/8/2006 3 5:00
Win Mark Weir Decision (Unanimous) 2/26/2005 3 5:00
Win Marcao Marcao KO 8/14/2004 3 N/A
Loss Michel Tanque Decision VVT 4/3/2004 N/A N/A
Win Raider Soares KO 11/15/2003 1 N/A
Loss Evangelista Santos KO
Chris Melanson- Strength Coach
Hold a lifetime drug fee military/law/fire/EMS bench press record in the AAU Four 1st Place Titles at the AAU Worlds in Disney in the 220lbs weight class Three 2nd Place Titles in the Mass State Open in the 220lbs weight class One 3rd Place Titles in the Mass State Open in the 220lbs weight class One 2nd Place Title in the AAU Nationals in the 198lbs weight Class F.A. Academy Certified Strength Coach EMT Testimonial: "When it comes to strengtH training, Chris is the best motivator that I've ever worked with and his methods are the best. I personally have improved more with his help than ever before. Thanks Chris!"
Pete Withers - Karate Coach
2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate Over 12 Years of Teaching Experience 2nd in Nation for Mens Open Forms 1997 Master Marksmen United States Practical Shooting Association
Jeremy Libezweski
Founder of the Fighting Arts Academy System
- Youngest black belt under the Sento Method
having trained under the founder of the
system, Lyzak. - Currently is a 2nd degree black belt under the Sento Method
- Holds a 3rd degree black belt under the National Jiu-Jitsu Society
- 18 years experience in martial arts
- Three time North American Grappling Champion in the Advanced middle and light weight divisions
- Has a 2-0-0 record in amateur kickboxing competitions
- World Extreme Challenge veteran, which is one of the largest mixed martial arts events in the world
- Two time winner of the North American Grappling Championship Team Award. Edged out the Renzo Gracie Academy for the Team Championship
Teaching Accomplishments
- Trains professional fighters in kickboxing, grappling and mixed martial arts
- Teaches defense seminars for the police and military personnel
- Teaches women's self defense programs, specializing in physical and psychological strategies
- Promotes personalized weight loss training and optimal health
- Promotes self-respect, discipline, confidence, character, self-esteem in children, adolescents and adults
F.A. Academy Ranking Systems
Ranks
Grappling, Muay Thai, MMA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Traditional Karate Ranks
White White White
4 Purple Stripes Blue Yellow
Purple Purple Orange
4 Blue Stripes Brown Purple
Blue Black Blue
4 Green Stripes 1 Green Stripe
Green Green
4 Brown Stripes 3 Brown Stripes
Brown Brown Belt
4 Black Stripes 3 Black Stripes
Black Black
The Fighting Arts Academy & Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team Members
Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos
Justin "Smash" Torrey
Paul Gomes
Abi Mestre
Brenden Weaffer
Kamal Bennate
"Notorious" Nick Newell
Razor Rob
Justin "the Lumber Jack"
Leone
Randy "The Un-natural"
Kendell Amadon
Jake St. Pierre
John Braun
Aaron Barrett
Zach Alisauskas
Matt Danforth
Alex "Crab" Santiago
Chad Kelly
Pete Withers
It All begins with One Phone Call!
413-449-8287
Location:
205 School Street Gardner MA, 01440
Brick Building w/ Green Sign
Phone: (413) 559-8287 or (978) 503-9137
About Us
The Fighting Arts Academy in Gardner MA is an extention of the original Fighting Arts Academy in Springfield MA, home to Bellator & Shine Fighter the striking sensation Justin "Smash" Torrey and many other amateur and professional fighters (all with impressive winning records). It opened in August of 2008, and in that time has grown to over 65 members. From day one its founder Mike Gibbs and other staff members have been committed to bring quality martial arts instruction to the area. They hold classes in the following areas.
Muay Thai: elbows, knees, punches, kicks.
Boxing: Striking art, using punching technques to defeat the opponent
Gallery Pics
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