About Us

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Nicholas Rice is the oldest of the jiu jitsu training Rice brothers. His younger brothers; Tanner, Sam, and Matthew have made a name for themselves in the jiu jitsu community and own/teach at jiu-jitsu academies in California and Nevada. Nicholas is stoked that his dream to open his own academy and share his passion for jiu jitsu and martial arts has become a reality!
Nicholas  started his jiu-jitsu career in Redding, California in 1997 training under his father, Rodney Rice (a John Dill /Joe Moreira black belt) and John Dill (received his brown belt from Rickson Gracie and his black belt from Joe Moreira).
Nicholas received his blue belt from John Dill in 2002 and then his purple belt in 2007 from his father and John Dill. Shortly after receiving his purple belt, Nicholas moved to  Southern California. Nicholas trained jiu-jitsu, judo, and MMA under Jean Jacques Machado black belt, David Dunn as well as Karo Parisyan.  Nicholas went on to receive his brown belt from David Dunn in 2011. Nicholas then focused on cross-training under several people in the Los Angeles area including Julio Juarez, Big John McCarthy, and Brent Burniston. Nicholas Rice also trained at Gracie Barra and up at Amazonas (his father's academy) during this time. In 2012 Nicholas married his best friend and longest-running jiu-jitsu training partner, Jessie Rice. Nicholas, Jessie and their two children moved to Southern Oregon in 2017.
Nicholas' younger brother Tanner Rice is a champion 1st-degree black belt under Cobrinha. Nicholas was honored to be awarded his black belt by Tanner Rice in 2018.

Lou received his blue belt under Boaz Brizman (Cloud 9) who received his black belt from Jean Jacques Machado. Lou has deep ties to to BJJ community and local law enforcement.  Lou brings amazing culture to our team and has worked hard to keep us up and running!