Mike Fowler
Encyclopedia
Mike Fowler is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
black belt under Team Lloyd Irvin
. In addition to a number of major competitive achievements, Fowler is notable for the speed at which he attained the rank and is, according to some sources, the 3rd fastest American on record to do so.
training until after high school in 2001, moving to Maryland
to enter into Lloyd Irvin’s advanced grappling program. Fowler’s meteoric grappling career began shortly thereafter, winning numerous private tournaments such as Grapplers Quest
and achieving a Pan-American championship as a blue belt. Many championships were to follow, with career highlights of 5 American National Championships and an Asian Open Championship in the black belt absolute division.
Fowler is currently the head instructor of the North Shore Jiu-Jitsu Kids Club, a non-profit dedicated to helping children through martial arts
. He also teaches numerous grappling seminars across the US.
, a prestigious Submission Grappling event where despite ultimately placing 4th overall, he defeated the legendary Renzo Gracie
and Saulo Ribeiro
, only losing to the equally elite Marcelo Garcia by guillotine and Andre Galvao
by points.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...
black belt under Team Lloyd Irvin
Team Lloyd Irvin
Team Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu organization in the Mid-Atlantic States of the U.S. Their most famous team members include UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz, UFC fighters Brandon Vera, Phil Davis, and Kris McCray, WEC fighter Muhsin Corbbrey, UWC Champion Mike Easton, grapplers Mike...
. In addition to a number of major competitive achievements, Fowler is notable for the speed at which he attained the rank and is, according to some sources, the 3rd fastest American on record to do so.
Grappling career
Although coming to the art with a background in high school wrestling, Fowler did not begin formal grapplingGrappling
Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...
training until after high school in 2001, moving to Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
to enter into Lloyd Irvin’s advanced grappling program. Fowler’s meteoric grappling career began shortly thereafter, winning numerous private tournaments such as Grapplers Quest
Grapplers Quest
Grapplers Quest is an organization mainly concerned with the promotion of Submission wrestling, Grappling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments. Founded in 1997 by Brian Cimins, Grapplers Quest currently hosts competitions of various division, age, and weight class internationally.Grapplers Quest...
and achieving a Pan-American championship as a blue belt. Many championships were to follow, with career highlights of 5 American National Championships and an Asian Open Championship in the black belt absolute division.
Fowler is currently the head instructor of the North Shore Jiu-Jitsu Kids Club, a non-profit dedicated to helping children through martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
. He also teaches numerous grappling seminars across the US.
ADCC
In 2007, Fowler was invited to the ADCCADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship
The ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship is a competition involving professional athletes who have been successful at the highest levels of jiu-jitsu, wrestling, judo, sambo, shooto and mixed martial arts...
, a prestigious Submission Grappling event where despite ultimately placing 4th overall, he defeated the legendary Renzo Gracie
Renzo Gracie
Renzo Gracie is a Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. and a former mixed martial arts competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship . He is member of the Gracie family of Brazil. He is the son of Robson Gracie, grandson of Carlos Gracie, nephew of Carlos...
and Saulo Ribeiro
Saulo Ribeiro
Saulo Ribeiro, brother of the equally famed Xande Ribeiro, is a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After earning a black belt in Judo, he began his training of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Rio De Janeiro under Royler Gracie, the son of Helio Gracie, at the famous Gracie Humaitá.Saulo received...
, only losing to the equally elite Marcelo Garcia by guillotine and Andre Galvao
André Galvão
André Luis Galvão is a Brazilian grappler and professional mixed martial artist. He has won the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and IBJJF Pan American Championships multiple times and has also taken third place in the 2007 ADCC World Championship at both -77 kg and openweight...
by points.