Javier Vazquez is a 5th degree Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and former professional MMA fighter. UFC, WEC, ELITE XC, SHOOTO, KOTC, EBI, ADCC veteran
Born in Santiago, Cuba on April 27, 1976 Javier Vazquez came to the US at the age of four. He grew up in El Monte, California and started wrestling as a sophomore at Arroyo High School at the age of 15. In 1994 he placed 3rd at the CIF wrestling tournament and continued his stellar high school career by placing 4th in the Southern Section Masters tournament. He was just one match away from placing in the high school state wrestling championships, ending up in the top 12 in the state at 130 lbs. He was voted team captain in both his junior and senior years. He continued his wrestling career at Mt. San Antonio College where he again proved himself to be one of “the best of the best” by finishing 7th in the state and being voted team caption for his leadership on and off the mat.
In 1997 Javier started learning Jiu-Jitsu under the renowned Carlson Gracie Team. He competed in every Jiu-Jitsu and submission tournament he could and eventually found himself in the fight game. His first no-holds-barred match was at Neutral Grounds in 1998 which resulted in a controversial decision. Several more fights in smaller venues followed and he then took time off from fighting to train and compete in Jiu-Jitsu. After only 5 years of training he earned his black belt from the Carlson Gracie Team.
His Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling tournament wins include: 2004 ADCC North American Trials champion, Grappling Games Advanced Division champion (voted Most Technical Fighter) 2x Copa Pacifica champion, Gracie Worlds champion, Black Belt Challenge champion, 3x California State jiu-jitsu champion, 4x U.S. Open jiu-jitsu champion, 3rd place Grapplers Quest Open Weight Invitational Tournament , and others.
In his mixed martial arts (MMA) career he has compiled a 12-2 record and was at one time considered by many to be the world’s top fighter at 155 lbs. Competing in his trademark pink shorts and earning the nickname of “Showtime” for his spectacular finishing moves, Javier was the first ever King of the Cage world lightweight champion, a title he held for two years, he was also the Gladiator Challenge world champion and he had two victories at with the Elite XC organization where he briefly retired from the sport. With 17 pro and amateur fights, Javier is still considered one of the most technical MMA fighters in the world.
A consummate competitor, Javier has over 40 combined wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, and submission wrestling titles to his credit, but like any champion he still wants more. Javier was named the “Best Grappler in the United States”.
Javier’s love of the sport has led him to train and teach others for nearly his entire life. He started coaching high school and kids wrestling in 1995 and to this day still visits Arroyo High School and Mt. Sac College to volunteer as a wrestling coach. From 1999-2003 he was the one of the Head Instructors at Millennia Jiu-Jitsu academy and was one of its original founders along 2 friends. In addition to Javier himself, Millennia was home to many world champions including John Alessio, Manny Tapia, and Mac Danzig. Millennia is one of the elite MMA schools in California, hosting visits from fighters such as Dan Henderson, Matt Lindland, Shungo Oyama, and Renato “Babalu” Sobral.
In 2004 Javier opened his own academy, Showtime Jiu-Jitsu, and was also hired as the Head Jiu-Jitsu Instructor at Mt. San Antonio College and during this time he created and developed a system of teaching that gives students and teachers a solid foundation never seen before in the Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and Grappling community.
In 2009 after canceling his contract with Elite XC before the company went under, Javier was invited to fight at a new organization called " The Ultimate Chaos". He made painfully quick work of Mark Kergosien -- a last-minute replacement for UFC veteran Din Thomas. The tapout followed 59 seconds into round one.
Javier is married to Rose Gracie and with Rose's older daughter Stephanie (11) leading the pack they had 2 young daughters Railey (3) and Raifa (1).
Today you can find Javier training everyday and with the focus of spreading his knowledge, Javier is currently teaching his new system at Millennia MMA where he is developing future world champions.]
I have been teaching, training , raising kids! LOL
Yeah I am being forced to compete by you know who [his wife]….at The Gracie US Nationals January 23rd and 24th @ Los Angeles FitExpo. I am trying to have some old guys that I have been wanting to beat for a while hopefully some ADCC past competitors…..
When I am not competing I still swim and teach a lot. I have put a lot of time into creating a teaching curriculum for street self defense, competition Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA.
I can teach Jiu-Jitsu to anyone as long as they can breath and move on their own. Most fighters are not very good teachers but I was lucky enough to have mastered both with the help of my brothers–in-law, Ryron and Rener.
My wrestling style was unorthodox to begin with so my transition to Jiu-Jitsu was easier.
It depends of what kind of Jiu-Jitsu game they play. Fighters with strong takedown ability and dominant top control will have more success then guard pullers that look for sweeps and submissions from the guard.
Definitely Ryron and Rener and I also thought Jake Shields was good.
She was actually raised really close to Carlson and she grew up around all his black belts so I met her at Rey Diogo’s birthday party.
I have to tell you if I can resume being around this family is that “there is never a dull moment”.
LOL , day and night! Helio’s style is for self defense, he catered to the average person and Carlson's style was completely turned towards MMA and Competition.
I think my game has changed the most since I started to train at the main Gracie Academy in Torrance. It made me realize people complicate Jiu-Jitsu way too much and going back to the basics was refreshing and essential for my game.
I want to thank my sponsors, Nutrition4Less and Jiu-Jitsu ProGear .Add me on MySpace and follow me on Twitter.
Favorite Takedown: Whatever makes them fall down
Favorite Submission: Rear naked choke
How many days a week do you train? Usually at least 3 times a week but now when I am getting ready for a fight I train 6 days a week
Favorite music to train to: I actually like Eminem and there is a brazilian band called Tihuana and they have this song called “Tropa de Elite” and it’s awesome.
Ratio of drilling to sparring you recommend? I drill with white belts LOL
Favorite thing to do outside of grappling: RC racing , playing with my mac computers
Favorite jiu-jitsu guys to watch: Marcelo Garcia
Biggest mistake that new grapplers make: They train no gi only.
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