Celebrating Our Journey
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s hard to believe another year has come and gone! We almost wouldn’t believe it, except so much has happened that it’s impossible to ignore.
We’ve promoted dozens of students to their next rank, had hundreds of people on the mats for academy-wide randoris and sparring sessions, formed bonds with new training partners on our shared journey, and forged lifelong friendships.
We held our first ever academy-wide Teen Blue Belt Promotion, and we held our last Easton Open. We ran one-of-a-kind seminars with extraordinary instructors and dropped unique, limited edition merch designs. We continued creating spaces for women to excel in women-only sparring and randori sessions, and we launched our own tournament series in the Solid Series, celebrating our journey!
With so many exciting milestones marking our calendars, it’s undeniable that as we approach the end of this year, 2026 will only bring more growth, connection, and opportunities to push ourselves further.
[Professor Alex Huddleston: From Pro Fighter to Martial Arts Program Director]
February
On February 9th at Easton Training Center Denver, Easton held its FIRST Teen Blue Belt Promotion and Randori where we promoted 17 new blue belts! This milestone marks an incredible moment for our youth program — a celebration of years of dedication, growth, and resilience from students who started their journeys as kids and are now stepping into the adult ranks. It represents not only their technical progress, but also their maturity, leadership, and commitment to the art.
[Everything You Need to Know About Kids Martial Arts]
March
On March 29th, Easton students showed up strong for the FTW Tournament of Champions — an event that gave our athletes the chance to test their skills outside the academy and represent our community on a bigger stage.
Competition plays a key role in growth, pushing us to step outside our comfort zones, apply what we’ve learned under pressure, and discover new levels of focus and resilience. Beyond the medals and matches, these tournaments are about connection — meeting new people, sharing experiences, and bringing that energy and knowledge back to elevate everyone on the mats at home.
[Faces of Easton: In Competition, Easton Open Edition]
We also dropped our first-ever family-style jersey in March, available now in our online Pro Shop! This release celebrates the Easton community spirit — designed for students, parents, and supporters alike to rep their team with pride.
Whether you’re training, cheering from the sidelines, or just showing love for your academy, this jersey brings everyone together under one banner.
[Easton’s Creative Director, Van Tran: Shifting Gears + Finding Purpose]
April
On April 5th and 6th , we held our last Easton Open at the South Suburban Sports Complex. Each Open is the result of months of preparation, with planning beginning six months out, starting just after the previous one wraps. It’s a true team effort: over 100 volunteers, including referees, table workers, and coaches, come together to create an event that runs smoothly and delivers an unforgettable experience for competitors and spectators alike.
This year, we saw more athletes than ever: Longmont sent over 40 competitors, Boulder brought over 60 adults alone, and Denver registered nearly 100 athletes, both kids and adults. And that’s just three out of eight of our academies!
[Conditioning Specialist + Muay Thai Coach, Melissa Burdette: Martial Arts for Empowerment]
May
On May 31st, we held our annual Adult BJJ Belt Promotion Ceremony where we promoted belts from purple to black. It was our first belt promotion ceremony since we made the decision to award blue belts at individual academies. We graduated 19 black belts, along with 23 purple belts and 25 brown belts!
These events are milestones for all of us, as we celebrate your dedication, discipline and love for Jiu Jitsu with a ceremony for your achievements. Each one is completely unique, with a new cohort of students rising up the ranks and joining their fellow teammates, friends and training partners on the other side.
On May 24th, we hosted our third Women’s Sparring Event — and the first one of 2025! These events are an essential part of building confidence and camaraderie among our women athletes. They offer a supportive space to test skills, exchange techniques, and push limits alongside other dedicated female martial artists.
The events also help to highlight the growing presence and strength of women in martial arts, creating visibility, mentorship, and inspiration for the next generation on the mats.
[Women in Martial Arts: The Journey Through Time]
June
On June 21st, we kicked off the summer with an All-Women’s Randori, open to all women in our community with white belts, two stripes and up.
This event welcomed both Easton students and visitors from other academies, bringing together women from across Colorado who share a passion for Jiu Jitsu. It was an incredible opportunity to roll, challenge ourselves, and strengthen the bonds within the growing women’s Jiu Jitsu community.
July
On July 19th, we came together for another Easton-Wide Sparring Session, bringing students from all academies under one roof. These sessions play an important role in building our collective strength — giving everyone the chance to train with new partners, experience different styles, and push themselves in a dynamic, supportive environment.
Whether preparing for competition or simply seeking growth, events like this remind us that progress happens when we challenge each other and rise together.
[Coach Sean Madden: Leading Easton’s Muay Thai Program]
August
On August 2nd, we had the incredible opportunity to learn from legendary grappler Rafael Lovato Jr. — IBJJF World Gi and No-Gi Champion and two-time ADCC finalist — at a special No-Gi seminar. With a career that bridges both high-level grappling and MMA, Lovato brought unparalleled insight, technical precision, and a championship mindset to the mats.
Seminars like this remind us of the value of lifelong learning and the importance of training under those who’ve shaped the sport at the highest levels.
[Easton’s CEO + President, Mike Tousignant: From Bar Fights to Black Belt]
September
On September 13th, we hosted another incredible seminar, giving our students the chance to train with one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes — Justin “JFlo” Flores! JFlo, world-renowned grappling coach and founder of JFLO Academy, is celebrated for his seamless integration of judo, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
A former Division I wrestler, Olympic Judo Team Head Coach, and BJJ black belt, Justin has trained elite athletes including Ronda Rousey, Dominick Cruz, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, and Cat Zingano. Seminars like this are invaluable for expanding our skills, learning from the best, and inspiring growth on and off the mats.
[Arvada’s GM, Professor Kyle Wright: Letting Your Goals Pull You, An Evolution]
October
On October 6th, we had the incredible opportunity to host world champion Mason Fowler as a guest instructor for our Advanced Gi class at Easton Denver. Known for his technical precision and dynamic style, Mason brought world-class insight to the mats — sharing details and strategies that reflect his experience at the highest levels of competition.
A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, former MMA fighter, and the current UFC BJJ Light Heavyweight Champion, Mason is also a European Champion, CBJJ Brazilian Nationals Champion, and two-time ADCC World Trials winner. Free guest instructor sessions like this are an invaluable chance for our community to learn from the sport’s elite and continue elevating our game together.
December
On December 6th, Easton Denver had the honor of hosting an exclusive Muay Thai seminar with the legendary Yothin Fa Group — “The King of Muay Khao.” A multiple-time world champion and one of Thailand’s most respected Muay Khao stylists, Yothin shared his signature clinch work, powerful knee strikes, and deep technical insight with students from across the community.
Open to all Muay Thai practitioners in the area, the seminar brought together dedicated athletes eager to learn authentic Thai technique from one of the sport’s greats. With championship titles across WMC, True4U, PAT, IFMA, Rajadamnern, and WBC Muay Thai, Yothin’s visit was a rare opportunity to learn from a true master — one that left students inspired and motivated to continue refining their craft.
