Fénix Jiu Jitsu is the Leading Martial Arts academy in Hickory NC.
Coach Jason Bebber doing what he does best at Pro-jitsu 6!
Fènix Jiu Jitsu Schedule
Monday
9:00am-10:00 am Gi All Levels
5:30pm- 6:15 pm Youth Gi
6:15pm-7:00 pm Gi Fundamentals
7:00pm-8:30 pm Gi Advanced
Tuesday
9:00am-10:00 am Nogi All Levels
7:00pm-8:00 pm Nogi All Levels
Wednesday
9:00am-10:00 am Gi All Levels
5:30pm- 6:15 pm Youth Gi
6:15pm-7:00 pm Gi Fundamentals
7:00pm-8:30 pm Gi Advanced
Thursday
9:00am-10:00 am Nogi All Levels
7:00pm-8:00 pm Nogi All Levels
Friday
6:00pm-7:00pm Nogi Advanced
Saturday
12:00pm-2:00 PM Open Mat (Free to Everyone)
Monday
9:00am-10:00 am Gi All Levels
5:30pm- 6:15 pm Youth Gi
6:15pm-7:00 pm Gi Fundamentals
7:00pm-8:30 pm Gi Advanced
Tuesday
9:00am-10:00 am Nogi All Levels
7:00pm-8:00 pm Nogi All Levels
Wednesday
9:00am-10:00 am Gi All Levels
5:30pm- 6:15 pm Youth Gi
6:15pm-7:00 pm Gi Fundamentals
7:00pm-8:30 pm Gi Advanced
Thursday
9:00am-10:00 am Nogi All Levels
7:00pm-8:00 pm Nogi All Levels
Friday
6:00pm-7:00pm Nogi Advanced
Saturday
12:00pm-2:00 PM Open Mat (Free to Everyone)
BULLYPROOF YOUR KID!
For the month of October, Fènix Jiu Jitsu is offering a special introduction rate of just 40$ on our youth Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program! Through the use of a curriculum based around our “Path to Blue Belt” and the “Gracie Games”, we’ll teach your kid the core principles Jiu-Jitsu was founded on. Distance management, leverage and technique, all while having fun!
Enroll now and save big! Text or call Jason Bebber at 828-217-9036, or contact us at Original Workout 828.256.1155
Enroll now and save big! Text or call Jason Bebber at 828-217-9036, or contact us at Original Workout 828.256.1155
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an Excellent Way to Build Confidence, Improve Health, Relieve Stress, and Just have Fun.
At Fénix, we provide a clean, professional and focused learning environment where we teach the same Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighting techniques used by UFC fighters, military and law enforcement. Our programs are designed for all skill levels, those looking to develop their self-defense skills and martial artists aspiring to compete at a higher level.
We are very proud of our lineage, culture and facility. But mostly we are proud of our family of students. Our students are committed, hard working and demonstrate respect and honor for each other by supporting the person to their left and to their right.
If you're not sure if Jiu-Jitsu is right for you, we invite you to visit us, get to know us and only then become a member of our student-family if you feel it is right for you.
We are very proud of our lineage, culture and facility. But mostly we are proud of our family of students. Our students are committed, hard working and demonstrate respect and honor for each other by supporting the person to their left and to their right.
If you're not sure if Jiu-Jitsu is right for you, we invite you to visit us, get to know us and only then become a member of our student-family if you feel it is right for you.
Seminar Availability
We are available for seminars on weekends and occasionally Friday evenings. Our seminars usually last around two hours and cover both Jiu-Jitsu and self defense. Please have a topic and range of dates in mind when contacting. Each seminar will have at least two Instructors to help the participants get the most out of their time.
We are available for seminars on weekends and occasionally Friday evenings. Our seminars usually last around two hours and cover both Jiu-Jitsu and self defense. Please have a topic and range of dates in mind when contacting. Each seminar will have at least two Instructors to help the participants get the most out of their time.
The Fénix Jiu-Jitsu Promise To You
I give you my personal promise and commitment that our instructors will help you, push you and motivate you to get the most out of our program. We will lead by example and inspire you achieve your goals.
~ Jason Bebber
Download The Student Handbook
Upcoming Events
Classes held at Original Workout's NEW Athletic Training Facility. 841 8th Ave NE Hickory, 28601
Fénix Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Classes Are Enrolling Now!
All Skill Levels Welcome.
One Low Monthly Rate Gets you Access to All Adult Classes!
Family Memberships Available!
Fénix Jiu Jitsu is a Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Charlotte Affiliate School
Fénix Jiu Jitsu Recent Events!
Fundamentals Class

We've developed a structured program especially for our BJJ fundamentals class. This class is for beginners, and we teach from a clearly defined curriculum . This class isn't a straight shot to belt promotion, but it should be viewed as a "minimum requirement ". It's usually a bit smaller, so there are lots of opportunity for one on one interaction from the instructor. There is no full contact sparing or "rolling" as its called in Jiu Jitsu, in this class. It's just technique and lots of it. This class is a perfect low pressure and light paced environment.
Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class

In our advanced BJJ class, you'll definitely get a workout! This class is split up into 3 different sections. It the first 1/3, you'll do a lot of moving! We do a quick warm up, followed by a good stretch, then we get right into mobility drills. These drills are designed to mimic certain movements in BJJ, but you can do them without the resistance of a partner to perfect the movement. It's a lot of fun, and a lot of hard work!
Information is the name of the game in the second segment of class. This is the time when the instructor will demonstrate a particular technique, or a set of techniques and explain them. After its explained, you'll pair up and try it on someone and they'll try it on you! The instructor is available at all times to answer questions and correct mistakes. Drillers are killers, so please take full advantage of this time during class!
Sparring! (Or as it's known in BJJ, rolling.) the 3rd and last portion of class is reserved for live sparring. This is the time when you get to put the new info you just gained to the test against an unwilling and resisting opponent. Because there are no strikes in BJJ, it can be practiced at full speed with very little risk of injury. It is not mandatory that anyone participate in sparring, but it sure is fun, and it's a good way to learn about yourself and the techniques that you've learned and how to apply them.
Information is the name of the game in the second segment of class. This is the time when the instructor will demonstrate a particular technique, or a set of techniques and explain them. After its explained, you'll pair up and try it on someone and they'll try it on you! The instructor is available at all times to answer questions and correct mistakes. Drillers are killers, so please take full advantage of this time during class!
Sparring! (Or as it's known in BJJ, rolling.) the 3rd and last portion of class is reserved for live sparring. This is the time when you get to put the new info you just gained to the test against an unwilling and resisting opponent. Because there are no strikes in BJJ, it can be practiced at full speed with very little risk of injury. It is not mandatory that anyone participate in sparring, but it sure is fun, and it's a good way to learn about yourself and the techniques that you've learned and how to apply them.
Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Our youth Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program is based around the Gracie Bullyproof system, which is a series of games designed to teach a set of core skills useful to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, while also keeping everything fun! These games are taught in a rotating curriculum, with a different game every class! Each student must attend each of the 10 games/classes a total of 4 times before being eligible for their first belt promotion, and invitation to the advanced youth class.
Advanced Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
*coming soon!*
After completing the required classes in the youth class, the child will be eligible to attend the Advanced Jiu Jitsu class. In this class, we begin to apply the core skills that we learned in the first youth class but in a more straightforward and typical approach. This class is structured more like our adult BJJ Fundamentals class, but with more fun and a fewer volume of techniques, with a heavy emphasis on self defense. We hope our students never have the need to defend themselves, but if they ever do, they’ll have the skills to do so effectively and humanly.
No Gi (Submission / Grappling Class)
No-gi, or submission grappling is exactly what it sounds like. It's much like BJJ, but without the gi, or traditional uniform. It's a little faster paced, and very exciting. There are no ranks in no-gi grappling, but the basic principles are the same as BJJ. Most tournaments have a division for both gi and no-gi, so it's a good idea to practice both. This class is a one hour class that's fairly informal, where we get right to business. The first half we learn a few techniques, the second half we "roll" or spar. It's a serious work out!
Belt Rankings in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
There are 5 belts for adults in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
1.White
2.Blue
3.Purple
4.Brown
5. Black
Unlike some other martial arts, there is a minimum age of 16 to be promoted to the rank of blue belt. Earning a blue belt in BJJ, is about the equivalent of a black belt in many other arts. BJJ is a journey, not a destination, and it can take several years to earn each belt. Unlike many other arts, in Jiu Jitsu, there are small "promotions" in between belts. The small victories are noted by a series of "stripes" on the black bar of a students belt. No student will earn more than 4 stripes on their belt, so after their fourths stripe, the next promotion is the next color belt.
1.White
2.Blue
3.Purple
4.Brown
5. Black
Unlike some other martial arts, there is a minimum age of 16 to be promoted to the rank of blue belt. Earning a blue belt in BJJ, is about the equivalent of a black belt in many other arts. BJJ is a journey, not a destination, and it can take several years to earn each belt. Unlike many other arts, in Jiu Jitsu, there are small "promotions" in between belts. The small victories are noted by a series of "stripes" on the black bar of a students belt. No student will earn more than 4 stripes on their belt, so after their fourths stripe, the next promotion is the next color belt.
Fénix Jiu-Jitsu Lineage
Carlos Gracie > Carlos (Carlinos) Gracie Jr > Renzo Gracie > Derek "TC" Richarson > Jason Bebber
Carlos Gracie
(September 14, 1902 – October 7, 1994) began training Jiu-Jitsu/Judo with Misuyio Maeda (Count Coma at a young age. After a few years of training he became Count Coma's best student. Their training would come to a halt when Count Coma had to leave due to his business. Carlos decided to open his first Academy in 1925 with his brothers George and Helio. Here he and his brothers would issue challenges for Vale Tudo (No Holds Barred) fights between Jiu-Jitsu and any other martial artist to prove their system was the best. From here he would go on to open many other Academies in Brazil and create "The Gracie Diet" which is still very popular today. He fathered 21 children of which 11 became Black Belts of Jiu-Jitsu and 3(Carlson Gracie, Rolls Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr.) became Legends of the sport.
Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie, Jr.
(January 17th, 1956 - Current) is the co-founder of Gracie-Barra and the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). He was partially raised by his Uncle, Helio and began training as a toddler. From an early age, he began training and instructing with his older brother, Rolls, and cousin, Rickson. He was promoted to Black Belt by his Uncle Helio in 1977. He is widely regarded as one of the best ambassadors of Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. In 2008, he was awarded his Coral belt (7th Degree, Red and Black striped). He was awarded his White and Red Striped belt (8th Degree) in 2015.
Renzo Gracie
(March 11, 1967 - Current) is a true MMA Legend. He has fought the best the world has to offer, while remaining one of the most fun-loving people in the world. Like most of the men in the Gracie family, he began training in the family art as a young child. He began fighting in Vale Tudo matches at 25 years of age. He has fought in many organizations such as UFC, Pride Fighting Championships, IFL, World Combat Championships, Pentagon Combat, and many more. He spent the later (and current) part of his life coaching and training other fighters. He has trained many of the top fighters currently competing. George St. Pierre, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Jake Shields, and many others still train at Renzo's NYC Academy. He also inspired top Jiu-Jitsu Competitors and trainers such as Matt Seirra, Ricardo Almeida, Tom Deblass, Garry Tonon, Gordan and Nicky Ryan, Eddie Cummings, and many more.
Derek "TC" Richardson
Owner, Head Instructor/Professor, Leadership Martial Arts
Head Instructor Professor Derek "TC" Richardson has been training in the martial arts for over 20 years. He has accumulated Black Belts in several styles. He moved to NYC to train with Renzo as a Purple Belt and was awarded his Black Belt by Renzo personally at his Academy, Leadership Martial Arts. We worked to become his students because of his unique and simple teaching style. Professor Richardson has a way of breaking the techniques down into tiny digestible pieces and chaining them together. This makes learning BJJ very easy. He also uses fun games and drills to help students understand the movements. His other accomplishments are as follows.
4th degree Black Belt Martial Arts (Master Robert Tucker)
Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt Judo (United States Judo Association)
Black Belt Hapkido (The Korea Hapkido Federation)
Black Belt Brazilian JiuJitsu (Renzo Gracie)
Jason Bebber
Head Instructor, Fénix Jiu-Jitsu
Jason Bebber is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown belt under Derek "TC" Richardson. He has been active in various martial arts for over a decade and began instructing Jiu- Jitsu in 2014. Through Jiu-Jitsu, Jason has created a family of loyal students and continuously pushes them to reach their goals. His style of instruction is very laid back, but still extremely effective. He is also a firm believer of leading from the front; whether it's local tournaments (winning multiple gold and silver medals) or traveling for a Super Fight, he is always looking for a new challenge.
Daniel Fredell
Assistant Instructor, Fénix Jiu-Jitsu
Daniel received his Purple Belt Professor Richardson on one of the team's trip to Renzo Gracie Academy in March of 2017. He is the Senior trainer at Original Workout, our upstairs Athletic Training Center and handles many of the daily behind the scenes tasks. Being a lifelong student, he is always looking to increase his knowledge on human movement and training styles; whether it is other Martial Arts or fitness modalities, he is always looking to improve by learning as much as possible. You can learn more about Daniel by visiting his Trainer's Page.
Professor Derrick "Little D" Smith
Assistant Instructor, Fénix Jiu-Jitsu
Derrick started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2003 when he worked as a Prison Guard. He quickly rose through the ranks and began teaching the other LEOs in the area. Derrick is a very humble grappler and a very active person outside of the mats. He is dedicated to his health and maintains a steady calisthenics focused routine. He was promoted to Black Belt on January 19th 2019 by Derek Richardson.
Carlos Gracie > Carlos (Carlinos) Gracie Jr > Renzo Gracie > Derek "TC" Richarson > Jason Bebber
Carlos Gracie
(September 14, 1902 – October 7, 1994) began training Jiu-Jitsu/Judo with Misuyio Maeda (Count Coma at a young age. After a few years of training he became Count Coma's best student. Their training would come to a halt when Count Coma had to leave due to his business. Carlos decided to open his first Academy in 1925 with his brothers George and Helio. Here he and his brothers would issue challenges for Vale Tudo (No Holds Barred) fights between Jiu-Jitsu and any other martial artist to prove their system was the best. From here he would go on to open many other Academies in Brazil and create "The Gracie Diet" which is still very popular today. He fathered 21 children of which 11 became Black Belts of Jiu-Jitsu and 3(Carlson Gracie, Rolls Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr.) became Legends of the sport.
Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie, Jr.
(January 17th, 1956 - Current) is the co-founder of Gracie-Barra and the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). He was partially raised by his Uncle, Helio and began training as a toddler. From an early age, he began training and instructing with his older brother, Rolls, and cousin, Rickson. He was promoted to Black Belt by his Uncle Helio in 1977. He is widely regarded as one of the best ambassadors of Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. In 2008, he was awarded his Coral belt (7th Degree, Red and Black striped). He was awarded his White and Red Striped belt (8th Degree) in 2015.
Renzo Gracie
(March 11, 1967 - Current) is a true MMA Legend. He has fought the best the world has to offer, while remaining one of the most fun-loving people in the world. Like most of the men in the Gracie family, he began training in the family art as a young child. He began fighting in Vale Tudo matches at 25 years of age. He has fought in many organizations such as UFC, Pride Fighting Championships, IFL, World Combat Championships, Pentagon Combat, and many more. He spent the later (and current) part of his life coaching and training other fighters. He has trained many of the top fighters currently competing. George St. Pierre, Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Jake Shields, and many others still train at Renzo's NYC Academy. He also inspired top Jiu-Jitsu Competitors and trainers such as Matt Seirra, Ricardo Almeida, Tom Deblass, Garry Tonon, Gordan and Nicky Ryan, Eddie Cummings, and many more.
Derek "TC" Richardson
Owner, Head Instructor/Professor, Leadership Martial Arts
Head Instructor Professor Derek "TC" Richardson has been training in the martial arts for over 20 years. He has accumulated Black Belts in several styles. He moved to NYC to train with Renzo as a Purple Belt and was awarded his Black Belt by Renzo personally at his Academy, Leadership Martial Arts. We worked to become his students because of his unique and simple teaching style. Professor Richardson has a way of breaking the techniques down into tiny digestible pieces and chaining them together. This makes learning BJJ very easy. He also uses fun games and drills to help students understand the movements. His other accomplishments are as follows.
4th degree Black Belt Martial Arts (Master Robert Tucker)
Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt Judo (United States Judo Association)
Black Belt Hapkido (The Korea Hapkido Federation)
Black Belt Brazilian JiuJitsu (Renzo Gracie)
Jason Bebber
Head Instructor, Fénix Jiu-Jitsu
Jason Bebber is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown belt under Derek "TC" Richardson. He has been active in various martial arts for over a decade and began instructing Jiu- Jitsu in 2014. Through Jiu-Jitsu, Jason has created a family of loyal students and continuously pushes them to reach their goals. His style of instruction is very laid back, but still extremely effective. He is also a firm believer of leading from the front; whether it's local tournaments (winning multiple gold and silver medals) or traveling for a Super Fight, he is always looking for a new challenge.
Daniel Fredell
Assistant Instructor, Fénix Jiu-Jitsu
Daniel received his Purple Belt Professor Richardson on one of the team's trip to Renzo Gracie Academy in March of 2017. He is the Senior trainer at Original Workout, our upstairs Athletic Training Center and handles many of the daily behind the scenes tasks. Being a lifelong student, he is always looking to increase his knowledge on human movement and training styles; whether it is other Martial Arts or fitness modalities, he is always looking to improve by learning as much as possible. You can learn more about Daniel by visiting his Trainer's Page.
Professor Derrick "Little D" Smith
Assistant Instructor, Fénix Jiu-Jitsu
Derrick started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2003 when he worked as a Prison Guard. He quickly rose through the ranks and began teaching the other LEOs in the area. Derrick is a very humble grappler and a very active person outside of the mats. He is dedicated to his health and maintains a steady calisthenics focused routine. He was promoted to Black Belt on January 19th 2019 by Derek Richardson.
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HICKORY NC MIXED MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY