Michael Baldwin started his Martial Arts training in 1993. Starting in
Tae Kwon Do under T.J. Kwon. After a short time Michael transitioned
to Shorin-Ryu Karate under Hanshi Doug Perry. Michael still respects
him as one of the greatest martial artists and teachers with whom he has
had the privilege to study with. Michael received his Black Belt in both
Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo. He has trained with many respected
Karate teachers both at Hanshi Doug Perry’s school and at the annual
Karate camps. He also had the opportunity to train with many Masters
from Okinawa at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996.
Shortly after the first UFC came out while still studying in Karate
Michael became interested in Jujutsu and began studying in Hakko-Ryu
Tae Kwon Do under T.J. Kwon. After a short time Michael transitioned
to Shorin-Ryu Karate under Hanshi Doug Perry. Michael still respects
him as one of the greatest martial artists and teachers with whom he has
had the privilege to study with. Michael received his Black Belt in both
Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo. He has trained with many respected
Karate teachers both at Hanshi Doug Perry’s school and at the annual
Karate camps. He also had the opportunity to train with many Masters
from Okinawa at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996.
Shortly after the first UFC came out while still studying in Karate
Michael became interested in Jujutsu and began studying in Hakko-Ryu
Jujutsu under Naoki Kubota. This soon led an in interest in Brazilian Jiu-
Jitsu.
Jitsu.
Michael began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training under Master Romero
"Jacare ́" Cavalcanti and transitioned to Master Relson Gracie soon
after. While training with Relson he met and became friends with Joe
Hurst. Over the years Michael has had the opportunity to train with
many Martial Artists such as Royler Gracie, Royce Gracie, David
Adiv, Carlos Machado, Daniel Moraes, Saulo Ribeiro, Marcello
Clemente and Joa Jr., Marcos and David Avellan, Bas Rutten, Bill
Hayes, Kimo Wall, Jim Logue and others.
"Jacare ́" Cavalcanti and transitioned to Master Relson Gracie soon
after. While training with Relson he met and became friends with Joe
Hurst. Over the years Michael has had the opportunity to train with
many Martial Artists such as Royler Gracie, Royce Gracie, David
Adiv, Carlos Machado, Daniel Moraes, Saulo Ribeiro, Marcello
Clemente and Joa Jr., Marcos and David Avellan, Bas Rutten, Bill
Hayes, Kimo Wall, Jim Logue and others.
Michael has competed and won many awards in Karate, Brazilian Jiu-
Jitsu, and Submission Grappling competitions from 1993-2003. In
Jitsu, and Submission Grappling competitions from 1993-2003. In
February of 2004 Michael was involved in an accident where he
received 2nd degree burns over 1/3 of his body, mostly on his back and
shoulders. The transition back to training was slow because of the
amount of ground work, but he has made a full recovery.
Michael continues to teach learn and seek new knowledge.
received 2nd degree burns over 1/3 of his body, mostly on his back and
shoulders. The transition back to training was slow because of the
amount of ground work, but he has made a full recovery.
Michael continues to teach learn and seek new knowledge.
"Success is not measured by what a man accomplishes, but by the
opposition he has encountered, and the courage with which he has
maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds" ~ Orison Swett
Marden~
opposition he has encountered, and the courage with which he has
maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds" ~ Orison Swett
Marden~
