Westside Jiu Jitsu Academy

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meet the team

group of students and instructors posing for a team picture lined up in rows along the wall

Westside Jiu Jitsu Academy was founded in 2021 and is the only Caio Terra Association academy in Michigan. We offer a wide range of training options with classes 7 days per week, programs for all ages, men, women, and children. We offer discounts for military and first responders. Additional to our full schedule of jiu jitsu classes, we offer wrestling, judo, kickboxing, and strength and conditioning classes weekly. As well as hosting seminars, law enforcement training, and self defense workshops.

Westside Jiu Jitsu Academy

We are a family-friendly environment and strive to radiate positive energy in our academy. We encourage everyone to chase their dreams and will work with you to accomplish your goals. We have classes for all ages and experience levels. The academy is open 7 days per week and has morning, noon, and night classes every weekday to provide a wide range of training options. We offer adult jiu jitsu classes, kids jiu jitsu classes, a women’s only jiu jitsu program, women’s self-defense, judo, wrestling, kickboxing, and a range of personal training options. Additionally, we have weight lifting and plyometric equipment for use to help you reach your fitness and martial arts goals.

Facility Features

Classes 7 days per week

Classes available all day (M-F)

locker rooms

1:1 instruction

First aid equipment

Free parking

Our instructors

man in white gi and black belt kneeling on mat with westside jiu jitsu logo on wall above

Ken Short

Owner / Head Instructor

Ken Short is a black belt under the Caio Terra Association. Ken has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 14 years and has been instructing for 9 years. He teaches several of the adult gi and nogi classes.

Tabatha Watkins

Women's Instructor / Kids Instructor / Team Assistant Coach / Kickboxing Coach

Tabatha Watkins is a brown belt under Ken Short. Tabatha is a professional mma fighter and has been training martial arts for 11 years and instructing for 5 years. She teaches the women’s only classes, kids classes, kickboxing classes, and fills in for the adult jiu jitsu classes.

man kneeling on mats wearing a black gi and black belt with westside jiu jitsu academy logo on wall behind him

Matt Fielder

Jiu Jitsu instructor

Matt Fielder is a black belt in jiu jitsu with 20 years of experience. He has been an instructor for several years. During the summer months he is one of our morning instructors and during the school year he fills in for evening classes.

man in white gi and brown belt kneeling on grey mats with black mats and westside jiu jitsu academy logo in background

John Lewis

Jiu jitsu instructor

John Lewis is a brown belt in jiu jitsu under Ken Short, and also holds the rank of brown belt in Judo. John has over 10 years of experience in jiu jitsu and judo. He is the jiu jitsu instructor for our noon classes.

man in white gi and black judo belt kneeling on mat with westside jiu jitsu logo above

Jimmie Baber

Judo Instructor

Jimmie is a 2nd degree black belt in judo with over 20 years of experience. He is our Thursday evening judo instructor.

girl kneeling on mat arms crossed wearing a white gi and brown belt, westisde jiu jitsu logo on the wall in background

Alesha Zappitella

Jiu Jitsu Instructor / Strength and Conditioning coach

Alesha is a brown belt under Ken Short with over 20 years of combined grappling experience. She is a professional mma fighter, former Invicta FC world champion. Alesha teaches our Wednesday 6am and Friday noon Nogi Jiu Jitsu Classes, and is our strength and conditioning coach.

man kneeling on mats wearing a white gi with a purple belt, westside jiu jitsu logo above the mats on the wall

Jordan Markey

Wrestling Instructor

Jordan is a purple belt in jiu jitsu with 10 years of combined grappling experience. Jordan is our Tuesday evening wrestling coach.

man in white gi and blue belt kneeling on mat with westside jiu jitsu academy logo abobe

Larry Cervantes

Wrestling Instructor

Larry is a blue belt in jiu jitsu with several years of experience, over 20 years of wrestling experience and former high school wrestling coach. Larry is our Sunday wrestling coach.

Our Affiliation

man in black gi and black belt posing for a photo in front of white wall mats
Caio Terra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association logo

https://www.caioterrabjj.com/affiliates/westside-jiu-jitsu-academy/

Westside Jiu Jitsu Academy is the first and only Caio Terra Association affiliate school in Michigan. The Caio Terra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association was founded by Professor Caio Terra known for being a 12 time World Champion. Caio Terra Academy HQ is located in San Jose, CA with many other affiliate locations around the world. Visit the link to see our affiliate page and reference the other CTA affiliate schools.

The Caio Terra Diffference: We believe in one team philosophy, by ourselves we can do good things, together we can do great things! One team; One family; Technique conquers all.

Frequently asked questions

Visit our Programs page to see details of what each program we offer entails. Each membership gives the student access to all scheduled classes, we do not restrict how many classes you can do, you will have unlimited access each month. Sign up in the academy to be put into our invoice payment system. Contact us for any addition questions.

For No gi practice you just need a compression shirt or rashguard and shorts or spats. For Gi practice you will need to bring a Gi, we have some available to loan or purchase at the academy.

Yes, we offer several different family package options, whether you are looking to add your spouse, sibling, children, or all of the above. Contact us today for more detailed information on what family package will work best for you.

Yes, we offer a free introduction to jiu jitsu class every Saturday at 11am, just call us at 734-895-3979 to register. You can also call to set up a free intro class with an instructor for a different time that would fit your schedule.

Yes, you can reference our home page and click on the Private BJJ Lessons button for more information. To schedule a private lesson you must visit our Contact Us page to reach an instructor via email or phone. Lessons can be scheduled anytime that an instructor has availability. Pricing differs per instructor. 

Our cancellation policy is detailed in our contract and the manager will go over it with you when you sign up. We do offer our students to put their membership on hold for up to 2 months per year with a 30 day notice. We try to work with everyone, communication is the key. 

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