Chicago Jiu-Jitsu Under Jack McVicker

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Jack McVicker is a graduate of Indiana State University with a degree in criminology. Having trained in a number of different disciplines of martial arts since the age of 13, Jack has dedicated his life to teaching others and helping each person maximize his or her own unique skills and attributes so that his art works for them -- on an individual basis.

On a professional level Jack teaches, trains and competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). This unique and sophisticated system of ground fighting is premier amongst other styles for self-defense and sport competition. Jack holds a 1st black belt (faixa preta) under Wellington "Megaton" Diaz, a 4th degree black belt representative of Royler Gracie. Jack is a member of the 1996 United States Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team, and also competes for Team Gracie Humataita/Megaton. Over the years, Jack has competed regionally, nationally and internationally. He has competed and won medals in both the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships (Mundial), Europeans, and Pan American Games.

Jack's Jiu-Jitsu was built upon his life long training in martial arts. Jack is a certified senior instructor of Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Concepts) and of Filipino Martial arts under Jack's good friend and teacher, the legendary Paul Vunak. Jack is also the Midwest Regional Director of Progressive Fighting Systems (PFS). For those unfamiliar with the concepts of Jeet Kune Do (JKD), it is considered by many to be the ultimate "stand up" combat art known to man. As an example of just how effective JKD is Paul Vunak teaches JKD to Navy Seals as a part of their hand-to-hand combat training. Additionally, Jack often gives seminars in Jeet Kune Do for police departments in the Midwest, and has given a seminar for the ROTC program at the University of Illinois.

Jack with Helio, Megaton, and RoylerNotable tournament performances include:  2007 The 1st World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship Black Belt Master Lightweight Gold Medallist. 2007 The 4th European Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship Black Belt Master Middleweight Silver Medallist and Bronze Medallist in the Open Class. 2007 Pan-Am Championships Master Black Belt Lightweight Gold Medallist 2006 The 3rd European Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship Black Belt Master Lightweight Gold Medallist and Gold Medallist in Open Class 2005 4th American National Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Lightweight tied for Gold. 2005 Pan-Am Championships Black Belt Lightweight Silver Medallist 2005 The 2nd European Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship Black Belt Master Lightweight Gold Medallist and Silver Medallist in Open Class. 2004 NAGA Chicago Pro Am 4-Man Professional Tournament Winner. 2004 Pan-Am Championships Black Belt Lightweight Silver Medallist and Silver Medallist in Open Class. 2004 Arnold/Gracie Amateur and Professional Submission Championships Black Belt Lightweight Division Silver Medallist 2004 The 1st European Jiu-Jitsu Open Championship Black Belt Master Lightweight Gold Medallist and Two Silver Medals in Open Class and the World Team. 2003 International Master and Senior Jiu-Jitsu Championship Brown Belt Lightweight Division Silver Medallist 2003 International Master and Senior Jiu-Jitsu Championships Brown Belt Open Division Bronze Medallist 2003 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Mundial) Brown Belt Lightweight Division Silver Medallist 2003 Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championships Brown Belt Masters Lightweight and Open Division Winner.  2002 International Master and Senior Jiu-Jitsu Championships Brown Belt Open Division Winner. 2001 Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championships Third Place 2000 Pro Am Championships First Place.

In addition to his Jeet Kune Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, Jack is also a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a black belt in Hapkido.

Although Jack hones his skills by competing in tournaments, his strength and true passion is teaching others. While many martial arts instructors hold various jobs during the week and teach only in the evening or weekends, Jack makes his living training others. It is all he does, and it shows in his students --many of whom have won jiu-jitsu and submission tournaments.

Jiu-Jitsu literally meaning the "art of softness", is a Japanese martial art consisting primarily of grappling techniques. Jiu-Jitsu evolved among the samurai of feudal Japan as a method for dispatching an armed and armored opponent in situations where the use of weapons was impractical or forbidden. Due to the difficulty of dispatching an armored opponent with striking techniques, the most efficient methods for neutralizing an enemy took the form of pins, joint locks, and throws. These techniques were developed around the principle of using an attacker's energy against him, rather than directly opposing it, and came to be known as Jiu-Jitsu.

Video of Jack McVicker's
Chicago Jiu-Jitsu Class
in Octagon