John Acosta started his Jiu Jitsu training just 48 hours after the very first UFC; in November, 1993. He trained for about one year with Nelson Monteiro from Gracie Barra in Del Mar, CA, before making the switch to learn from Fabio Santos in late 1994. Fabio had just arrived in the San Diego area after having taught at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA alongside Rorion and Royce Gracie.

After training under Fabio (www.fabiojiujitsu.com) for only six months, John quit his day job, sold his car and started working at the Academy. Sweeping and mopping the mats, cleaning the bathrooms, answering the phones and then later starting to teach the weekly Introductory Classes and Private Lessons allowed John to train five days a week.

In November, 1995 John entered his first MMA Fight in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the level of a 3rd Degree Blue Belt. By beating his first two opponents in less than three minutes, he made it to the Finals. The last fight lasted the full ten minutes with his opponent getting the victory by Judge’s Decision.

In 1999 after reaching Purple Belt, John decided it was best to start being “responsible” and returned to the workforce, bought a car and started living the American Dream. Years later, he realized the so called American Dream was a complete headache and it didn’t bring him the happiness he was searching for. The financial trap of impressing friends and looking for self gratification by filling his life with material things; only left his soul empty. So he returned to the Academy and resumed his training, having received the Brown Belt from Fabio Santos in April, 2009 and then just over 1 year later; the Black Belt in May, 2010. 

John makes no claims of being an amazing competitor with multiple tournament victories. Rather, he is a great teacher, coach and instructor that can analyze your skills and better them. By being able to recognize and identify your strengths & weaknesses, he can help you fine-tune your Jiu Jitsu game. There is no denying that teaching and competing are two completely different skill sets. Having studied under Fabio Santos (who received his Black Belt from Rickson Gracie and his Red & Black Belt from Relson Gracie) since 1994, John has been able to replicate the teaching methods passed down to him by Fabio.

After a couple of visits to the Philippines, John was hooked and felt he had found a new home. The people were kind and very thankful for the little that they have. A serious lesson in perspective and what it means to be content can be learned here on a daily basis for the average Foreigner. Filipinos are living proof that you don’t need the newest, biggest, shiniest toy to be happy. Just loyal friends and good times can provide a lifetime of fulfillment…………especially if you mix in some Jiu Jitsu!