Founder & Director | Modern Gladiator Fight Training Academy
Head Coach | Grappling Sports
About Me
I’m Coach John Miller—head coach at Modern Gladiator Fight Training Academy and the founder of Grappling Sports. With more than three decades of experience in martial arts and coaching, I’ve trained hundreds of athletes, competitors, and beginners in combat sports ranging from wrestling and Sambo to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and striking.
I’ve also coached in youth outreach programs, tournament prep, and realistic self-defense systems. I bring a lifetime of discipline, fight-tested experience, and a passion for teaching to every class.
My Coaching Style
My style blends technical precision and positional control with relentless intensity and pressure. It’s a hybrid designed to win—not just on the scoreboard but in the mental game too.
Whether we’re training for the mat, the cage, or self-defense, my system is built on:
- Manipulating Space and Angles
- Dominating hand-fighting and grips
- Chaining techniques and smooth transitions between positions
- Relentless forward pressure to break opponents physically and mentally
- Mastery of simple fundamentals done with excellence—not flashy moves
- Constant movement and fight IQ—you stop moving, you lose
- Pain as a tool—pain creates movement, movement creates opportunity
I believe in leveraging technique, structure, and timing over raw strength—but when the opening comes, you hit with everything you’ve got.
“You might beat me for one period, but I’ll break you over seven minutes.” – Dan Gable
These principles guide everything I teach—from wrestling and BJJ to Dutch kickboxing and MMA. Whether you’re preparing for competition or just building confidence, I’ll help you forge grit, skill, and discipline.
I love securing tight body locks for throws, especially the knee-blocked body lock—my signature and most successful throw and the basis for our Grappling Sports logo:
Why I Coach
I coach because I believe in transformation—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Martial arts are more than sport; they are tools for building character, overcoming adversity, and preparing for life. My goal is to push athletes to become tougher, sharper, and more resilient—on the mat and off.
Let’s Train
Whether you’re new to grappling or a seasoned competitor, I’m here to help you level up. Join us at Grappling Sports and Modern Gladiator Fight Training Academy and become part of a community built on hard work, respect, and results.