Notable American Ju-Jitsu Students and Fighters

American Ju-Jitsu has been connected to many students, fighters, grapplers, coaches, and combat sport athletes over the years. Some were direct students of Steven Crawford or connected to the American Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Others were part of the larger Kansas City combat sports scene that surrounded American Ju-Jitsu, MMA, pankration, grappling, and later bare-knuckle boxing.

This page highlights some of the names connected to that history. Some of these fighters competed in major organizations, while others helped represent American Ju-Jitsu through submission grappling, pankration, MMA, and regional combat sports.

Curtis Stout

Curtis Stout is one of the most important fighters connected to the American Ju-Jitsu and American Jiu-Jitsu Academy story. Steven Crawford coached, trained, and managed Stout during his MMA career, including his appearance at UFC 30. Stout later returned to the UFC at UFC 48. [1]

Curtis Stout was also connected to the American Jiu-Jitsu Academy during his UFC 48 fight camp. He trained with Brad Jones, Travis Phippen, Steve Crawford, and other fighters at the academy. [2]

Stout’s career is important because it shows American Ju-Jitsu’s connection to the early growth of mixed martial arts. He was not just training in theory. He was competing against high-level fighters in real combat sport environments.

Rob “The Rosedale Reaper” Kimmons is another important MMA name connected to Steven Crawford. Crawford is listed as the trainer of Rob Kimmons, who competed in the UFC. [1]

Kimmons had a long professional MMA career and became one of the recognizable fighters from the Kansas City area. His career helps show how American Ju-Jitsu and the surrounding fight scene were connected to the growth of professional MMA. [5]

Brad Jones

Brad Jones is an important name in American Ju-Jitsu combat sports history. Jones is a 3rd Dan in American Ju-Jitsu and was one of the early combat sport athletes connected to Steven Crawford and the American Ju-Jitsu / American Jiu-Jitsu Academy circle. [4]

Brad Jones is also connected to submission grappling history. Steven Crawford trained Brad Jones and coached Brad Jones and Jobe Duran as the first tag-team submission grappling champions in 2001. [1]

CombatReg lists Brad Jones with Team American Jiu-Jitsu Academy, out of Kansas City, Missouri, with a professional MMA record of 3-4-0. [3]

Jobe Duran

Jobe Duran is connected to American Ju-Jitsu history through submission grappling. In 2001, Steven Crawford coached Brad Jones and Jobe Duran as the first tag-team submission grappling champions in Evansville, Indiana. [1]

This is an important part of the American Ju-Jitsu story because it shows the system being represented in live grappling competition, not just self-defense training.

Travis Phippen

Travis Phippen is another fighter connected to Steven Crawford’s competition team. Crawford is listed as the coach and trainer of Travis Phippen, who won the 140-pound division at the 2nd Annual Black Out or Tap Out event. [1]

Phippen is also mentioned with Curtis Stout, Brad Jones, Steve Crawford, and other fighters connected to the American Jiu-Jitsu Academy. [2]

Leo “Iron Lion” Pla

Leo Pla, known as “Iron Lion,” is a professional mixed martial artist and Bare Knuckle fighter with extensive experience across multiple combat sports. A 2nd Dan in American Ju-jitsu, Pla' trained under Steven Crawford’s system and developed a strong, well-rounded foundation in striking and grappling. He holds a professional MMA record of approximately 11–9 (1 NC) and has competed at the light heavyweight level against experienced competition.

In addition to MMA, Pla has competed in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where he holds a 4–3 record in the cruiserweight division, further demonstrating his durability and versatility as a fighter.

Known for his toughness and finishing ability, Pla has earned victories by knockout, submission, and decision, showing a balanced skill set and the ability to adapt across different fight styles. With a career spanning both MMA and bare-knuckle competition, along with his role as an instructor and gym leader, Pla represents the continued evolution and effectiveness of American Ju-Jitsu in modern combat sports.

Bobby “Vicious” Voelker

Bobby “Vicious” Voelker is a veteran professional MMA fighter from the Kansas City area and one of the major names connected to the American Jiu-Jitsu Academy. He competed as a welterweight and built a long career across regional and major promotions, including Strikeforce, UFC, Bellator, Titan FC, M-1, and Shamrock FC. [7][12]

Voelker is known for his toughness, pressure, and finishing ability. His professional MMA record is listed as 34-15-0, with most of his wins coming by knockout or technical knockout. [12][13]

One of the strongest parts of Voelker’s career came during his Strikeforce run. He earned wins over Erik Apple, Cory Devela, and Roger Bowling. His rivalry with Roger Bowling became one of the memorable parts of his Strikeforce career, with Voelker stopping Bowling twice by TKO. [12]

Voelker later fought in the UFC against high-level competition, including Patrick Côté, Robbie Lawler, William Macário, and Lance Benoist. Even though he did not earn a UFC victory, his UFC run showed that he had reached one of the highest levels of professional mixed martial arts. [12][13]

After his UFC run, Voelker returned to regional competition and continued to add wins to his record. He captured the Shamrock FC Welterweight Championship with a five-round unanimous decision victory over Cameron VanCamp and also scored knockout/TKO wins over fighters such as Cedric Marks, Justin Guthrie, Mike Estus, Bobby Emmons, Justin DeMoney, Darrius Flowers, and Josh Weston. [12][13]

Voelker is included here because of his connection to the American Jiu-Jitsu Academy and his long career in professional MMA. His career shows how the Kansas City fight scene produced athletes who competed locally, regionally, and on major stages like Strikeforce, UFC, and Bellator.

Rudy “Bad News” Bears

Rudy Bears, known as “Bad News,” is a former professional mixed martial artist and Bellator veteran who competed at a high level in the welterweight division. Training under Steven Crawford’s American Ju-Jitsu system, Bears developed a well-rounded skill set built on both striking and grappling.

He compiled a professional record of 16–15, with victories coming by knockout, submission, and decision, showcasing his versatility as a fighter.

Bears competed in major organizations including Bellator, Strikeforce, Titan Fighting Championships, and M-1 Global, facing high-level competition throughout his career. He also captured the Shamrock Fighting Championships Welterweight Title and won multiple amateur titles in the ISCF, highlighting his success at both amateur and professional levels.

Known for his resilience and finishing ability, Bears earned numerous wins by submission and knockout, demonstrating a balanced and dangerous skill set. His career includes notable bouts against top fighters, including appearances against elite competition in both Bellator and Strikeforce.

Beyond competition, Bears has transitioned into coaching and leadership as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA school owner and instructor, continuing to impact the next generation of fighters. He represents the evolution of American Ju-Jitsu from competition into coaching, mentorship, and long-term martial arts development.

Zeb “CWB” Vincent

Zeb “CWB” Vincent is a professional fighter from the Kansas City area with experience in MMA and bare-knuckle boxing. He began training through Steve Crawford’s American Jujitsu as a teenager and later developed a well-rounded background in wrestling, boxing, striking, grappling, and combat sports. [13][14]

Vincent built a strong amateur career before turning professional. He had a 6-3 amateur MMA record and won two amateur 205-pound championship titles before moving into the professional ranks. He turned pro in 2022 and made his BKFC/pro debut that same year. [13]

As a professional, Vincent has competed in both MMA and bare-knuckle boxing. His professional MMA record is 2-1-0, and he has competed in promotions such as BKFC and LFA. [10][12]

Vincent’s style is built around pressure, toughness, and sharp striking. He uses a long jab, technical pressure, and counter-striking to create openings. His bare-knuckle and MMA experience show his willingness to test himself in different combat sports, not just one format. [10]

Vincent is included here because he represents a later generation of fighters connected to American Ju-Jitsu and the Kansas City combat sports scene. His path from American Jujitsu training, amateur titles, professional MMA, and bare-knuckle boxing shows how the system’s influence continued into modern combat sports.

Anthony Garrett

Anthony “The Warrior of Christ” Garrett is a heavyweight fighter from Kansas City with experience in professional MMA and bare-knuckle boxing. His MMA record is 6-9-0 with 2 no contests, and he has fought as a heavyweight throughout his professional career. [10][11]

Garrett later crossed over into bare-knuckle boxing with BKFC. His BKFC run included fast knockout wins over John Orr, Lavar Johnson, and Haze Wilson. He defeated John Orr by first-round TKO at 0:16, stopped former UFC fighter Lavar Johnson by first-round TKO at 0:12, and defeated Haze Wilson by first-round TKO at 1:36. [12][13]

Garrett’s BKFC momentum led to a main event fight against former UFC heavyweight Parker Porter. Garrett hurt Porter early and scored multiple knockdowns, but Porter came back and won by knockout in the second round. [14]

Garrett is included here as part of the broader Kansas City combat sports scene connected to the American Ju-Jitsu story. His background in MMA and bare-knuckle boxing helps show how the region continued to produce fighters who crossed between grappling, striking, MMA, and modern combat sports.

Herb Dean – One of the most respected referees in MMA history and former professional fighter

Herb Dean is widely regarded as one of the greatest referees in mixed martial arts history and a former professional fighter. A 2nd Dan in American Ju-Jitsu, Dean has a lifelong background in martial arts, including training in boxing, judo, and submission wrestling.

Before becoming a world-renowned referee, Dean compiled a professional MMA record of 2–3, with victories by both knockout and submission. His transition into officiating began under the guidance of Larry Landless, where he shadowed him at early MMA events and developed the foundation that would launch his refereeing career.

Dean went on to become one of the first licensed referees in Nevada and quickly rose to prominence, officiating at the highest levels of the sport, including the UFC and international promotions.

He has earned multiple World MMA Awards “Referee of the Year” honors, and is widely considered the gold standard in MMA officiating due to his ability to protect fighters while allowing competition to continue at a high level.

Known for his experience, composure, and deep understanding of combat, Dean represents both the technical and professional excellence associated with American Ju-Jitsu and its extended lineage.

David Tice

Larry Landless

Rob Kimmons - UFC veteran with multiple professional bouts at the highest level

Rob Kimmons, known as the Rosedale Reaper,” is a UFC veteran and accomplished mixed martial artist with a professional record of over 20 wins. A 3rd Dan in American Ju-Jitsu, Kimmons trained under Steven Crawford’s system and built an impressive career that included competing in the UFC, WEC, and other major promotions. He earned a Submission of the Night bonus in the UFC and was known for his strong grappling, with the majority of his victories coming by submission.

Kimmons also captured multiple titles outside the UFC, including the IFO Welterweight Championship, and won a 16-man tournament in Shooto’s American Welterweight Grand Prix, finishing opponents with first-round knockouts and submissions.

Before turning professional, he compiled an undefeated amateur record, showcasing his early dominance in the sport.

Beyond competition, Kimmons transitioned into coaching and leadership, becoming the owner and head instructor of Perseverance MMA & Athletic Academy in the Kansas City area, where he has developed fighters and continued his martial arts career as a coach.

He has also been associated with high-level training environments, including connections to Xtreme Couture, one of the most recognized MMA gyms in the world, further reflecting his experience at the elite level of the sport.

Known for his toughness, submission skills, and ability to compete across multiple weight classes, Kimmons represents the effectiveness of American Ju-Jitsu at the highest levels of professional MMA.