MMA Carlson Gracie NKY: Building Champions, Confidence and Community Through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu an Mixed Martial Arts

In the heart of Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, a martial arts academy is carrying forward one of the most respected names in Brazilian jiu-jitsu while developing athletes, teaching self-defense, and building a community centered on discipline, respect, and personal growth.

Carlson Gracie NKY – Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Judo, & Muay Thai combines the traditions of Brazilian jiu-jitsu with modern combat sports training, offering instruction in judo, Muay Thai, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. Under the leadership of Professor Aaron Thomas, the academy serves everyone from young children stepping onto the mats for the first time to experienced competitors preparing for demanding challenges.

Established in 2017, Carlson Gracie NKY has developed its identity around technical fundamentals, experienced coaching, and a philosophy that martial arts training should challenge students without sacrificing safety or camaraderie.

The Carlson Gracie Legacy: A Tradition of Fighting Excellence

To understand Carlson Gracie NKY, it is important to understand the history behind the name.

Carlson Gracie Sr. was one of the most influential figures in Brazilian jiu-jitsu history. A member of the legendary Gracie family, he helped develop a competition-oriented approach to the martial art and trained generations of athletes who would influence Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.

His approach emphasized technical development, intense preparation, physical conditioning, and the importance of testing techniques against resisting opponents.

The Carlson Gracie Team became known internationally for producing successful competitors and developing fighters capable of applying jiu-jitsu in real combat situations.

Among the athletes associated with Carlson Gracie’s coaching legacy are notable figures such as Ricardo De La Riva, Murilo Bustamante, and Vitor Belfort.

The philosophy remains relevant in modern combat sports: effective techniques must work under pressure, and progress comes through consistent practice.

Carlson Gracie NKY continues that tradition as an officially listed Carlson Gracie Team affiliate. Professor Aaron Thomas holds a black belt under Carlson Gracie Jr., connecting the academy directly to the family’s instructional lineage.

Established in 2017: Building an Academy in Northern Kentucky

Carlson Gracie NKY traces its establishment to 2017, when members of its coaching team separated from another Cincinnati-area MMA gym to establish their own organization.

In a January 2025 interview with Voyage Ohio, academy representatives discussed the challenges of building and maintaining a martial arts school, including changes in ownership and the departure of training partners.

Despite those difficulties, the organization emphasized perseverance, commitment, and the importance of providing a supportive environment.

The academy’s representatives described a coaching team with a collective background spanning Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling, Muay Thai, and MMA, with more than a century of combined coaching and competition experience.

That range of expertise allows the academy to serve students with very different goals.

Some students want practical self-defense training. Others are interested in improving their fitness, learning a new discipline, or competing in grappling tournaments and MMA events.

The organization’s philosophy recognizes that success does not mean the same thing for every student. For one person, success could mean winning a tournament. For another, it could mean developing the confidence to walk into a martial arts academy for the first time.

Professor Aaron Thomas: Leadership Through Fundamentals

At the center of Carlson Gracie NKY’s instructional program is Professor Aaron Thomas.

Thomas is a Carlson Gracie Team black belt under Carlson Gracie Jr. and has more than a decade of coaching experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.

According to the academy, his teaching has helped develop multiple black belt coaches throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.

Carlson Gracie NKY

Thomas emphasizes techniques that work reliably in different situations rather than depending entirely on strength, athleticism, or complicated movements.

That approach is especially important in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, where practitioners learn to use positioning, leverage, timing, and body mechanics to control opponents.

For beginners, fundamental techniques establish the foundation necessary for safe and productive training.

For experienced competitors, those same fundamentals can determine the outcome of difficult matches.

Thomas is also described by the academy as an inclusive instructor capable of working with students who have different backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels.

His influence extends beyond the students he personally coaches. By helping develop other instructors, Thomas has contributed to the broader martial arts community throughout Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.

An Experienced Coaching Staff

One of Carlson Gracie NKY’s strengths is the range of martial arts backgrounds represented by its instructors.

Andy Bosiljevac — Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Bosiljevac is listed as a fourth-degree judo black belt and Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, with a background in wrestling and more than 20 years of coaching experience. His instruction emphasizes precise movement, strong fundamentals, and techniques suited to each student’s abilities.

Steven “Squirrel” Hilton — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Hilton began training under Thomas at age 16. His experience working against larger and older training partners helped shape a technical approach focused on leverage, control, and submissions.

Josh “Vanilla Guerrilla” Grevas — Mixed Martial Arts

Grevas brings extensive MMA experience, including training in Las Vegas at Xtreme Couture and Syndicate MMA. His coaching philosophy emphasizes fundamentals and establishing positional control before pursuing submissions.

The academy’s published instructor roster also includes Matt Rudolph, an experienced BJJ practitioner and former high school athletics coach; Logan Dean, a former Ohio state champion wrestler; Tommy Graves, a grappling competitor and youth instructor; Casey Hall, a Muay Thai instructor with MMA experience; and Julia Durstock, who brings a wrestling background to the women’s training program.

Together, these instructors provide students with opportunities to learn from coaches whose experience extends across multiple combat sports.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Foundation of the Academy

Brazilian jiu-jitsu remains the central focus of Carlson Gracie NKY.

Unlike martial arts that primarily emphasize punches and kicks, Brazilian jiu-jitsu concentrates on grappling, positional control, joint locks, and chokeholds.

Students learn how to defend themselves, escape disadvantageous positions, and control opponents through technique rather than relying exclusively on size or physical strength.

The academy offers both traditional gi training and no-gi grappling.

In gi classes, students wear the traditional martial arts uniform, allowing techniques that use grips on the jacket and pants.

No-gi training generally uses athletic clothing and emphasizes different gripping strategies, body positioning, and movement.

Both forms of training are important for students interested in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition or developing grappling skills for mixed martial arts.

For recreational practitioners, jiu-jitsu can also provide an engaging form of exercise that challenges strength, flexibility, coordination, endurance, and problem-solving.

More Than Jiu-Jitsu: A Complete Combat Sports Program

Judo

Throws, balance, gripping, and takedown techniques that complement Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling.

Muay Thai

Stand-up striking involving punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, with an emphasis on technique and conditioning.

Wrestling

Takedowns, positioning, pressure, and control that help build a foundation for grappling and MMA.

Mixed Martial Arts

Integrated training combining striking, grappling, takedowns, and transitions between disciplines.

The academy’s published schedule includes dedicated training sessions in each discipline, as well as introductory MMA instruction and private training opportunities.

This variety allows students to focus on one martial art or develop a broader understanding of combat sports.

Little Bulldogs: Teaching the Next Generation

One of the academy’s important community programs is Little Bulldogs, designed for children ages 5–12.

The youth program combines elements of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and striking instruction to help children develop coordination, balance, focus, discipline, and confidence.

Rather than emphasizing winning and losing, the program introduces fundamental movements in a structured training environment.

According to the academy’s FAQ, children do not participate in striking sparring against one another; striking work uses bags and mitts.

The published schedule includes multiple weekly sessions covering traditional gi grappling, no-gi training, and striking.

For families, martial arts can offer children an alternative to traditional team sports while still encouraging physical activity, cooperation, and personal responsibility.

It also provides opportunities to learn how to respond to challenges, follow instructions, and respect training partners.

Women’s Martial Arts and Self-Defense Training

Carlson Gracie NKY also offers women-only training sessions, with Julia Durstock identified among the instructors associated with the program.

Durstock’s background includes wrestling at Sycamore High School and Mount St. Joseph.

Women-only classes can provide an accessible introduction for participants who prefer to begin martial arts training in a dedicated environment.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu emphasizes leverage, positional awareness, escapes, and controlling distance, making it a useful component of self-defense education.

However, effective personal safety involves more than physical techniques. Awareness, avoiding dangerous situations, establishing boundaries, and seeking assistance remain important.

The academy’s women-only sessions are listed on Friday mornings and Saturday mornings, creating opportunities for students whose schedules may not accommodate traditional evening classes.

Developing Competitors and Supporting Regional MMA

Although Carlson Gracie NKY welcomes recreational students, its multidisciplinary training structure also provides a foundation for athletes interested in grappling tournaments and MMA competition.

A successful mixed martial artist must be prepared for numerous situations, including striking exchanges, takedown attempts, clinch fighting, ground control, and submissions.

Training with specialists from different disciplines can help competitors identify weaknesses and develop a more complete skill set.

The academy’s blend of wrestling, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai is particularly relevant to modern MMA.

Regional combat sports organizations throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana provide opportunities for developing athletes to test those skills.

For fighters considering competition, the academy’s training environment offers a pathway to prepare while continuing to develop technical fundamentals.

Importantly, Carlson Gracie NKY does not require students to compete. According to its FAQ, participation in tournaments and other competitive events is optional.

That balance allows the academy to support serious competitors without making competition a requirement for membership.

Building a Community Beyond the Mats

Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of Carlson Gracie NKY is its emphasis on community.

Martial arts training requires trust. Students must be willing to practice difficult techniques, accept corrections, and work with partners who may be more experienced or physically stronger.

For that process to succeed, a training environment must balance intensity with safety.

In its Voyage Ohio interview, the academy emphasized that members have responsibilities and interests beyond martial arts, including families, careers, and other activities.

The organization described a philosophy of training hard without being reckless.

That attitude is important in a sport where injuries can interrupt training and affect everyday life.

The academy also stresses that every experienced practitioner was once a beginner.

A welcoming environment can make the difference between someone abandoning martial arts after their first session and developing a lifelong interest in the discipline.

Training Opportunities, Membership and Getting Started

For prospective students, Carlson Gracie NKY offers an opportunity to experience the academy before committing to membership.

Its website advertises a free first-day trial and states that students of all skill levels are welcome.

The academy currently lists unlimited access to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, and MMA classes for $145.99 per month. It also advertises discounts for eligible military personnel, law enforcement officers, and firefighters.

Students are encouraged to bring comfortable athletic clothing, footwear for walking off the mats, and a water bottle. A signed waiver is required before participating.

The academy recommends consulting instructors about appropriate uniforms and equipment rather than purchasing everything before the first class.

The Verdict: Preserving a Legacy While Building the Future

Carlson Gracie NKY represents the connection between traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the changing world of modern combat sports.

Its connection to the Carlson Gracie lineage provides an established martial arts foundation, while its coaching staff brings practical experience across judo, wrestling, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts.

Under Professor Aaron Thomas, the academy has built a program intended to serve both beginners and experienced athletes.

Its approach extends beyond teaching students how to execute submissions or defend takedowns. The organization emphasizes discipline, physical fitness, confidence, personal development, and the relationships formed through training.

For Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati residents, Carlson Gracie NKY offers an opportunity to participate in a martial arts tradition recognized around the world without leaving their local community.

For young students, the experience could represent their introduction to martial arts. For adult beginners, it could become a new challenge. For competitive athletes, it could provide the technical instruction and training partners necessary to advance their abilities.

And for the instructors who dedicate their time to developing others, the rewards extend beyond tournament results.

Carlson Gracie NKY is not simply preserving a famous name in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It is working to carry that legacy forward by developing the next generation of martial artists, one training session at a time.

Carlson Gracie NKY — Academy Information

Carlson Gracie NKY – Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Judo, & Muay Thai

818 Monmouth St, Newport, KY 41071, United States

Head Instructor: Professor Aaron Thomas

Telephone: (859) 414-6701

Email: carlsongracienky@gmail.com

Website: Official Carlson Gracie NKY website

Free trial: First training day

Adult membership: $145.99/month, as advertised; confirm before enrolling.