JIUJITSU & Wrestling TEACHERS

Our teachers are active practitioners and competitors, striving to lead by the best examples possible. We are grateful for the opportunity to do what we do.

Jason Bukich

Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Jason Bukich leads our team. Jason has been passionate in his study of Martial Arts since he began training at age 4. He first studied the striking arts and then transitioned to Jiu Jitsu at the age of 19, studying for years under the late Jeremy Williams. After Jeremy’s passing, Jason traveled the world, teaching and refining his Jiu Jitsu. He has studied under some of the world’s best, including Rani Yahya and Baret Yoshida, from whom Jason received his Black Belt in 2009. Like Baret, Jason teaches a very submission oriented style perfect for MMA and Jiu Jitsu competition.

Jason has competed at the world’s highest level for Jiu Jitsu and has competed as a Professional MMA fighter with a record of 4-0; all wins by submission.

Some Highlights:
> 3rd Degree Jiu Jitsu Black Belt (Baret Yoshida)
> 15 Years BJJ & 25 Years Martial Arts Experience
> Pan-Asian Jiu-Jitsu Champion '09
> Grapplers Quest LV Jiu-Jitsu Champion '08
> California State Jiu-Jitsu Champion 2006
> Pro MMA record 4-0, All by Way of Submission
> ADCC Qualifier
> LBHS Assistant Coach, Wrestling (current)

TESTIMONIAL (more available on request):

"I study Jiu-Jitsu here under Jason Bukich, a Black Belt who is regarded highly internationally as both a coach and a competitor. In addition to a wealth of Jiu-Jitsu experience, Jason has also had a successful MMA career. The classes are great and the "Open Mat" sessions attract many great practitioners from around the County." -Sinclair

Albert Lee

Albert has been training Jiu Jitsu for many years and received his black belt from Rick Estrada. He was a division one wrestler for CSUF. Albert is also a certified personal trainer and owns and operates 1 on 1 Training Center in San Juan Capistrano.

Some highlights:
> Pan Ams Black Belt Gold Medalist
> Grapplers Quest Adult Male Gold
> 2x No Gi World Master Silver Medalist

Erik Van Der Lee

Erik has been training for many years. His primary disciplines include MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing. He currently trains at and fights out of team Subfighter MMA headed by Adam Lynn.

Erik has been a friend of the academy for some time now and has been working on adding some TKD specifics to his skill set.

He is 8-4-0 as an MMA amateur and recently turned professional. He's also 1-0-0 as an amateur kickboxer and 1-0-0 as a professional Muay Thai competitor. He holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is a successful and active Jiu Jitsu competitor.

At just 21 years young this dedicated martial artist is fast on the rise and brings great energy to his classes.

Jacob Cho

40+ years of martial arts experience
30+ years of teaching experience
Son of martial arts pioneer and Tae Kwon Do legend, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho
Tae Kwon Do black belt
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt
Co-founder, Owner & Operator of Cho’s Academy
Active practitioner & ongoing student of martial arts

Mr. Cho has a lifetime of martial arts experience; starting his journey at a very young age under the tutelage of his father, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho, a living martial arts legend.

His martial arts experience includes ongoing practitioner, teacher, competitor, coach and team builder. He began Tae Kwon Do training at the age of 5, started competing shortly after, and was teaching by the time he was a teenager. Now in his early 50s his consistent and regular training includes: TKD, Boxing, Kickboxing, Yoga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Meditation. He also enjoys weight training, running, hiking, surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, guitar and says that these all complement each other. He looks forward to continued opportunities for growth and to be of service.

Mr. Cho holds a black belt in TKD, a brown belt in BJJ and is passionate about about sharing his knowledge.

TESTIMONIAL (more available on request):

"I've trained in countless Martial Arts schools over the past 30 years, and met a multitude of instructors. Jacob Cho is without question the most dedicated instructor I've ever had the pleasure of working with. His passion for teaching, technical skill, and obvious love for his students is inspirational." Jason