History
The history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu dates back to the early 1900’s. It was discovered and further developed by only a few individuals. The base of the new martial art, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, came from a technical and fluid Japanese Judo structure. Although the Judokas did incorporate ground techniques past their typical throwing style, it became much further developed on the ground at this point. The discovery of self-defense and the level of devastation the jiu jitsu techniques provided for a smaller opponent was a critical turning point for the progression of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu style.
The idea of mixed martial arts (MMA) is the combination of the best techniques each martial art has to offer. In the late 1900’s, more specifically around 1993, sporting events incorporating MMA became legal and they held the first event in Colorado, USA. At the start, each martial art had a representative to fight in the event that would hopefully become the victor. It was not only as an individual win in these days, but as proof that their martial art was the most effective form of fighting. Not surprising to those that had done Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but shocking to those that had not seen it before, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu beat every other martial art or named fighter. Since this kept happening, the fighters eventually saw the need to incorporate the ground game into their training and knowledge as martial artists.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu holds strong lineages that can differ in styles based on their individual development throughout the years. At Justin Lough Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, we have a strong lineage backing with highly developed techniques. We also offer a very authentic style of learning and class structure, based on the proven style coming straight from Brazil. While living in Brazil, Justin learned and observed from one of the best academies to ever do it. At the time, they were both students under a very talented instructor alongside many successful, up and coming athletes in a small town in Brazil. Purcellville is another small town lucky enough to have one of the best academies right here. Proudly serving our community since 2012.
Getting started
We encourage you to start with a free trial class to see what our academy has to offer. If you are a good fit for us, we would be happy to have you join or team.
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Instructors
Owner | Head instructor
Justin Lough
Justin Lough, head instructor at JLBJJ, is a second-degree black belt. He has dedicated the last 20 years of his life to training and living a Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle. In 2007, Justin was offered an opportunity to train in Brazil with Ramon Lemos and other Jiu-Jitsu phenoms. A blue belt at the time, Justin knew he had to pursue this opportunity. While in Brazil, Justin mainly trained with Gui and Rafa Mendes and the team six days week three times a day. Although each day was difficult, Justin was able to keep working toward his goal. Before leaving Brazil, Justin competed in the Sao Carlos Championships becoming the first American to visit, compete, and win gold in the Brazilian city. Over the last few years, Justin has instructed a wide variety of students including military special forces, police personnel, men, women and children from beginners to advanced levels. Justin has also given individual attention to students recovering and rehabilitating them post-surgery through Jiu-Jitsu workouts. In addition to his knowledge in Jiu-Jitsu, Justin has an excellent background in strength and conditioning which he incorporates into his classes. He continues to train hard and pass down the authentic Jiu-Jitsu style he was shown in Brazil and maintains a strong work ethic and competition level classes.
Rank
Black Belt [Second Degree]
Received in, 2016
Affiliation
Justin Lough Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
HQ: Purcellville, Virginia
Lineage Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Leonardo Vieira > Robert Drysdale > Abmar Barbosa > Justin Lough
Achievements
•Sao Carlos Championship Gold medalist, 2007 (blue belt weight class) •Copa Nova Gold medalist, 2009 (purple belt weight class) •Best of Loudoun Winners 2019 & 2020
•NEWBREED Maryland Youth Team Champions 2017, 2018 & 2021
•Fuji BJJ Washington DC Adult Team Champions 2021
•Fuji BJJ Washington DC Youth Team Champions 2021 •PBJJF Virginia Youth Team Third in Gi 2022 •PBJJF Virginia Youth Team Second in No Gi 2022
Co-Owner | Office manager | instructor
Kristi Lough
Kristi Lough, assistant instructor, is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Kristi has been training Jiu-Jitsu for 11 years under instructor and now husband, Justin Lough. Initially, she started training Jiu-Jitsu to learn some self-defense and get in better physical shape. Jiu-Jitsu has now become a passion and lifestyle for her. She is now a full time competitor in the sport and often trains twice a day. She is a big advocate for women's self-defense and assists in the self-defense and rape prevention seminars. Kristi also has a fun time instructing and playing games with the kids at JLBJJ.
Rank
Black Belt
Received from Justin Lough, 2022
Achievements
• Copa Nova Bronze medalist, 2013 (blue belt weight class)
• Copa Nova Gold medalist, 2014 (blue belt weight class) • Copa Nova Gold medalist, 2014 (blue belt open class) • Copa Nova Silver medalist, 2014 (blue belt weight) • Copa Nova Silver medalist, 2014 (blue belt open class) • IBJJF New York Open Silver medalist, 2016 (blue belt weight class) • IBJJF New York Open Silver medalist, 2017 (purple belt weight class) • Copa Virginia Gold medalist, 2021 (brown belt weight class) • IBJJF DC Open Silver medalist, 2022 (black belt weight class) • IBJJF DC Open Bronze medalist, 2022 (black belt open class) • IBJJF New Haven Open Gold medalist, 2022 (black belt weight class) • IBJJF New Haven Open Bronze medalist, 2022 (black belt open class)
Assistant Instructor
Branden Risso
Branden started training at Justin Lough Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2018. He had moved to the area with some training and a quick promotion to blue belt. His athleticism and general knowledge of jiu jitsu was strong and continued to progress at a quick pace. In 2019, he received his purple belt from Justin. His success in competition and dedication to the evolving technical aspect of jiu jitsu are impressive. We are happy to have him on our team as an athlete as well as an assistant instructor at the 6am classes!
Rank
Brown Belt
Received from Justin Lough, 2022
Achievements
•US Grappling Gold medalist, 2019 (blue belt weight class) •NEWBREED Gold medalist, 2021 (purple belt weight class) •Grappling Industries Gold medalist, 2021 (purple belt weight class) •Grappling Industries Silver medalist, 2021 (advanced nogi open class)