Train at Elevation.
Perform at Another Level.

Professor Grant Collins brings more than 32 years of dedicated martial arts experience to Mammoth Lakes Jiu Jitsu. A lifelong martial artist, he holds black belts in Tae Kwon Do (2nd degree), Hapkido (1st degree), and a 4th-degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano.

Before discovering jiu-jitsu, Grant was a decorated striker and full-contact competitor, earning over 20 Tae Kwon Do titles and training twice at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. His transition to BJJ came after realizing its unmatched effectiveness, launching a journey that led to 30+ championship titles, including Pan American medals, IBJJF Nationals Gold, and SJJIF World Championships Gold.

Grant is the owner and head instructor of Optimus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Laguna Niguel and now shares his experience with the Mammoth Lakes community. With more than 20 years of teaching, he has helped students of all ages grow stronger, sharper, and more capable, bringing world-class technique, a passion for learning, and a warm, welcoming presence to every class.

Training in self-defense and grappling arts since 1991, Eric has earned brown belts in Judo, Karate, and Kempo, building a foundation across multiple disciplines. Over the years, he has competed nationally in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, gaining valuable experience that shapes his approach on and off the mats.

A lifelong grappler with a deep passion for teaching, Eric founded Mammoth Lakes Jiu-Jitsu to bring high-level training to the Eastern Sierra. Today, he leads the academy as a black belt under Professor Grant Collins, guiding students with technical knowledge, patience, and unwavering dedication to the art.

Professor Steve Fujimoto “Fuji” began his martial arts journey in the early 2000s in Los Angeles, transitioning from Taekwondo into MMA. After moving to Mammoth in 2006, he started training jiu-jitsu with a small local group that would eventually grow into Mammoth Lakes Jiu-Jitsu, earning his blue belt from Royce Gracie along the way. Seeking a deeper foundation, he joined the Gracie Academy in 2013 under Rorion, a founder of UFC, with sons Rener, and Ryron, restarting as a white belt and studying their complete self-defense curriculum. He continued his training through Gracie University and received his black belt in 2023. In addition to being our local dentist, Professor Fuji has spent nearly two decades teaching and helping build the jiu-jitsu community here in Mammoth.

Coach Jen is the heart of our kids' program, patient, energetic, and fully dedicated to helping young athletes grow.  A purple belt, training since 2019, she connects naturally with kids, making jiu-jitsu fun, focused, and meaningful for every student who steps on the mat. She's also a big part of the Mammoth community as a mother, wife, and local acupunturist.

Coach Dave is a dedicated purple belt who began, his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2017.  A longtime local, he has called Mammoth home since 2000 bringing deep community roots and a steady, supportive coaching style to the mat.

Born and raised in Mammoth Lakes, Coach Elijah started training as a young teen right here at MLJJ and now holds a purple belt.  He's low-key in personality, but once he hits the mat, his flexibility becomes a real problem for anyone rolling with him.

With her animated teaching style and upbeat personality, Coach Jewls makes every class feel lively and welcoming.  A local mom of two dragons and a student of Jui-Jitsu since 2023, she blends real-life parenting superpowers with mat knowledge to keep kids engaged, learning, and having a blast.