Instructors

D Davis

D Davis began his martial arts journey over thirty years ago under the tutelage of a Master of traditional Tae Kwon Do in Los Angeles.  After receiving his black belt in Tae Kwon Do, D expanded his martial arts skills through the study of Western Boxing and Muay Thai.

Despite his mastery of striking styles, D realized that his extensive martial arts training did not prepare him adequately to fight on the ground.  D was first introduced to the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Pedro Carvalho. Pedro demonstrated the spirit and strength of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  D knew that his martial arts training would not be complete without mastery of this grappling form.

Upon moving to San Diego in 2003, D met Fabio Santos, his mentor, teacher, and friend.  Fabio took D under his wing from day one.  Through Fabio’s tutelage, D rose faster than anyone in the history of the Fabio Santos competition team, earning his brown belt in just three years and his black belt in five years. He is the only active black belt to have done so in such a short time under Fabio Santos. D went on to become the most decorated competitor on the Fabio Santos competition team – winning six national titles and a gold medal in the international Gracie Open No Time Limit competition. After instructing under Fabio, D branched off to open his own studio in 2007.

---

Jeff Tirschfield

Jeff began his martial arts training as a child and he has never stopped. He was a successful boxing competitor and won several major titles, including the State Junior Olympic Golden Glove Championship. After college, Jeff went on to receive his second-degree black belt in Karate, and he continued his successful competitive career - winning numerous local Karate competitions in both kata and kumite.

While studying Karate, Jeff was fortuitous in meeting famed Judo competitor, Jiu-jitsuka and Goshin Jitsu Grandmaster Ernie Cates.  Within weeks of being promoted to first-degree black belt in Judo by Grandmaster Cates, Jeff went on to win the California State Masters Judo Championship.  Jeff also holds a black belt in Jiu Jitsu under Grandmaster Cates.

Jeff’s introduction to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu was a lesson in extreme humility.  After being tapped repeatedly by a purple belt, he began lessons that day.

Jeff soon found a home in the traditional academy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend, and eighth-degree black belt Fabio Santos; where he was recognized as a black belt in 1994.  Jeff was an instructor in Fabio’s academy since he was a brown belt.

Jeff followed his closest friend to his new academy for a variety of reasons:  First, D is a world-class Masters competitor, who is also a world-class instructor.  Second, D lives by the seven tenets of Bushido: Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor and Loyalty.  Third, he is the one person outside of Jeff 's family he would trust with his life.  And lastly, the academy has the best instruction and training in San Diego.

Jeff is marginally old (Senior 3) and pretty darn broken (too many to list), but he can still train, teach and fight.  Look for his son Casey to carry on the legacy.