Our Academy
Dayton MMA Academy – the premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Dayton Ohio. Family atmosphere, welcoming environment and elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Come join our family.
About Chris Lehman
My Story.
My Mission.
Chris Lehman | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor | Kids Instructor/Coach | Owner | Rank: Black Belt
whoami
If you are a tech person – you might see something here and smile (or roll your eyes) – that is right, hidden Easter eggs. A wise old man once told me – keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you’re up to…. 😀
Our Academy
Family. Honor. Respect. Confidence.
These are the traits of champions, these are skills for life both on and off the mats. When you join our academy you are becoming a part of the family. Through training you will become more confident, improve your physical conditioning leading to a healthier and happier lifestyle. We are honored that you choose us and you will not find a better atmosphere to train in. We can’t wait to see you on the mats and join in the fastest growing team in the world – Team RENZO GRACIE. Come visit us and start your 100% FREE week of unlimited training.
Chris, Why Team Renzo Gracie?
I am often asked – “Chris, why is your support of Renzo so strong?” I love to answer this with a smile “Because, he teaches so much about life that you forget that you are learning Jiu-Jitsu from a legend. He makes you a part of the family and there is no better feeling than that.
~ Chris Lehman
Owner – Dayton MMA Academy
Chris is the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling, Thai Boxing instructor/Kids Coach and owner of Dayton MMA Academy. Chris is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under the legendary Renzo Gracie. Having received his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Master Renzo Gracie, his purple was awarded many years later by Professor Michael Patt who remains under Professor Ricardo “Rey” Diogo through the Carlson Gracie lineage. To his surprise upon traveling back to New York in April 2019 Renzo awarded him a brown belt under him and introduced Renzo Gracie Ohio. He has studied various martial arts for most of his life to include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling, MMA, Judo, Western Boxing, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Japanese Ju-Jitsu.
Chris holds a Brown belt in both Tae Kwon Do as well as Japanese Ju-Jitsu. He started his Ju-Jitsu journey in 1993 after witnessing the UFC and Royce Gracie. Upon finding the Yudansha Fighting System which taught Danzan Ryu JuJitsu, he quickly signed up and began his grappling arts journey. This was the closest art he could find that resembled what he witnessed in the UFC. The Yudansha style blended not only ground fighting, but also Judo throws, sticks, knives. It took an active approach to all combat to which Chris instantly enjoyed. He will never forget that part of his journey and the aspects of Martial Arts that the Yudansha system gave to him.
He longed to find a true Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school as they were scarce in those days. Upon being introduced to Renzo through seminars, he traveled to NYC and was given his blue belt. It was at that moment that he would be encapsulated with the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Renzo was very different than others he had met or trained with. Renzo treated him as family and this spoke volumes to what he had always thought the art should be.
After numerous injuries and time off, he found the Dayton Mixed Martial Academy owned by Michael Patt. That was back in 2005-2006 time frame, and he signed up there and has been a part of that gym ever since. He has competed in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and he has always had a passion for teaching others as well as always been active in coaching/teaching kids.
During his time training he has been very lucky and fortunate to train with a list of very high level teachers to include:
* Renzo Gracie
* Rickson Gracie
* Ryron Gracie
* Carlson Gracie
* Marcelo Garcia
* Ricardo “Rey” Diogo
Chris also finds it very important to create a good atmosphere as well as treat others in the same way that Renzo treated him. To this day, he maintains a relationship with Renzo and tries to follow the example that Renzo instilled in him. We hope that you come in and enjoy some training with us and enjoy the culture that Dayton MMA brings to it’s students.
The Coach
One of the things we are most proud of – our renowned kids program. Chris has a special way of communicating with kids keeping them engaged, learning, having fun with the right amount of discipline and traditions. You will also find a caring instructor fine tuned into the outside affects of life and how those present kids with obstacles. Chris has the ability to teach both kids and adults in grappling arts as well as striking arts blending them into a more prepared person
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu Black Belt
Having earned his Black Belt from the legendary Renzo Gracie, Chris holds a strong heart for making sure he earns it every time he steps on the mat. The way in which he teaches and relays messages while teaching is very unique and brings laughter as well as seriousness to the “Gentle Art”. Many say his uniqueness in teaching is a gift, one that he shares with everyone, from his perspective, his students are the gifts and has the honor to be a small part of each of their lives
The Student
If you were to ask anyone in our art – to achieve their black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, what does that mean? You would find a lot of answers from the highest goal they have to a pinnacle in their lives to finally meeting a goal. For Chris the way he stated it – “This black belt around my waist, this does not mean that I am no longer a student, it means that I have learned that I will forever be a student. And in that statement you will find his passion for learning as well as passing on what he has learned.
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