What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

A martial art and combat sport that focuses on ground fighting, with the goal of gaining a dominant position from which to force an attacker to submit, either through strikes or a finishing hold.

Without question, you can learn Jiu-Jitsu. As with any pursuit in life, learning Jiu-Jitsu will require commitment from the student. This commitment comes in the form of attending class regularly. We facilitate your advancement by providing excellent instruction and incorporating a proven systematic method of learning and drilling techniques. This approach allows instructors to accurately gauge your initial skill level and lay a solid foundation to build upon. While students are always given the freedom to grow at their own pace, progress within the art can be accelerated by open mat sessions, sparring, competing, and private lessons.

Our School

Since our establishment in 2015, Fight to Win of Asheville has grown in both size and popularity within the local community. As an officially sanctioned division of Fight to Win / Team Steve Hall, we are the only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu facility in Asheville that can trace it's linage and teaching to Royce Gracie. The significance of this accolade cannot be overstated as the Gracie family developed "The Gentle Art" and has set a worldwide standard for excellence.

Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu Lesson — Arden, NC — Mountain Division Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

A martial art and combat sport that focuses on ground fighting, with the goal of gaining a dominant position from which to force an attacker to submit, either through strikes or a finishing hold.
Can I learn?

Without question, you can learn Jiu-Jitsu. As with any pursuit in life, learning Jiu-Jitsu will require commitment from the student. This commitment comes in the form of attending class regularly. We facilitate your advancement by providing excellent instruction and incorporating a proven systematic method of learning and drilling techniques. This approach allows instructors to accurately gauge your initial skill level and lay a solid foundation to build upon. While students are always given the freedom to grow at their own pace, progress within the art can be accelerated by open mat sessions, sparring, competing, and private lessons.

BRAD HANNAH, Black Belt, Head Instructor at Fight to Win of Asheville

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > George Gracie > Jurandir Moura > Charles Dos Anjos > Steve Hall > Brad Hannah

“My martial arts training started in 1999. I was nineteen at a boxing gym in north Asheville! Six months later, by chance, I came across a note posted from a local gym promoting a “shoot fighting” school in the area. That following January 2000 is when I began training under Johnny Huskey and Billy Wicks.

In 2002 after multiple wins in grappling tournaments reaching as far as Las Vegas, I moved to Charlotte to train with a new team at Joe Hurst BJJ. During my time at this school, I continued to evolve while adding my art of catch wrestling to the team.

Jiu-Jutsu Instructor — Arden, NC — Mountain Division Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In 2004, I switched to a school with a different outlook. The new school’s name was Royce Gracie-Charlotte. I began a new phase of training under my teacher, “Hallie “Snake” Hair.” I began competing in local tournaments all around the area. It was May of 2006 when I finally made it full-circle back to Asheville. In 2007 I would reunite with my first instructor Johnny Huskey. There, I helped build a new group of hungry fighters and would assist wherever I could.

After 9 years as a no-gi grappler and looking for a new challenge, I decided to make the change to a kimono. After a short two months, I received my blue belt from Master Royce Gracie. With my new found interest in the gi, I started teaching at a new school called Blackeye Fitness in 2011. It was there that I crossed paths with my current teacher/instructor Royce Gracie Black Belt Steve Hall. In the summer of 2012 I would receive my purple belt under Steve. Upon receiving my purple belt in Jiu Jitsu, I decided to part ways and create my own school. With building a new team under the Blackeye Fitness Banner, a move was inevitable! 2015 brought a new promotion of brown belt and a branch of Blackeye Fitness to a new location in Fletcher, NC.

It was here, that Fight to Win Asheville found its own identity and started to grow.”

Brad provides an extensive,successful history in catch wrestling which transitions extremely well into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Brad wanted to create an environment where everyone could be welcome and have a place in life where they are accepted. To this day, Brad strives to achieve this. The school has grown and continues to grow exponentially under his extraordinarily unique hands on guidance and care.