Professor Greg Hamilton (2nd Degree Black Belt):

The Early Years

Greg Hamilton’s initial years in BJJ were marked by intense training, countless injuries to overcome, more consistent and dedicated training. In 2004 most of the BJJ schools, did not care as much about student retention, and focus on the student’s safety, vs. making sure every training session was intense and brutal to weed out the weak, so that they would quit and only the strong and dedicated remained.

Due to his disciplined and driven mindset, Professor Hamilton progressed rapidly during a time where training was brutal and injuries were very common as a result. He was promoted to blue belt in June 2005, and after moving too far from his original school where he started BJJ, he began training with the legendary Royce Gracie as well as at the Gracie Academy in Artesia, California, founded by Grandmaster Rorion Gracie, which was over an hour away from his home.

This period and era was instrumental in shaping his foundation in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, as he learned from some of the most iconic figures in the art directly from the Gracie Jiu Jitsu source, including Royce Gracie, Grandmaster Rorion Gracie, Rener Gracie, Ryron Gracie, Master Rickson Gracie, Royler Gracie, Master Fabio Santos, Grandmaster Francisco Mansur, Renato Magno, Caique Elias, Rodrigo Gracie, and other Gracie legends.

Rising Through the Ranks

Professor Hamilton’s dedication to the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) ensured that he always trained consistently and made his training a priority, living a healthy lifestyle off the mats as well to ensure his performance on the mat during training was optimal.

Professor Greg Hamilton BJJ was promoted to blue belt at the end of 2006, to purple belt in August 2008 and to brown belt in January 2013. His journey took a significant turn when he and his family moved due to his work, and he began training in March 2013 at the Jean Jacques Machado Headquarters in Tarzana, California.

Under the direct supervision of Master Jean Jacques Machado, Greg Hamilton BJJ trained intensively, balancing his rigorous schedule with his responsibilities as an entrepreneur and dedicated father to his two daughters, born in 2010 and 2014.

His relentless discipline and dedication to training 5-6 days a week since he started training at Jean Jacque Machado HQ resulted in Greg Hamilton’s promotion to black belt on December 15, 2016 by the living legend himself Master Jean Jacques Machado at the Jean Jacques Macahdo HQ in the presence of his training partners/friends.

Professor Greg Hamilton considers this day as one of the most important and transformative days of his life which changed him in every way imaginable moving forward and paved the way to a life that is rooted in “Living Jiu Jitsu” as Master Jean Jacques always said.

Establishing a Legacy in Texas

After doing a lot of soul searching after his promotion to black belt in December 2016, Professor Greg Hamilton wanted to provide a better life for his daughters and family by moving to Dallas Fort Worth, Texas.

After asking the permission of and getting the blessing of his Professor and Master Jean Jacques Machado, In April of 2019, Professor Greg Hamilton BJJ moved with his family to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to open Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu Mid Cities on November 1, 2019.

It was right here in Bedford, TX., Mid Cities, that he met then brown belt Professor Phillip Bulloch in October 2019, and knew at first sight that this is an incredibly special man, who shared an incredible love for Jiu Jitsu, and was also dedicated to enriching and empowering the lives of his students.

Professor Greg Hamilton BJJ and Phillip Bulloch instantly connected and a beautiful brotherhood was immediately formed as they got a call at their first meeting that the truck packed with pallets of FUJI mats arrived.

Phillip Bulloch did not hesitate and offered to help upload the truck, and it immediately showed Professor Greg Hamilton, that this man is truly the real deal in every way and would play a priceless role as the head kids instructor at Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Mid Cities, in Bedford, Texas.

Professor Phillip was promoted to black belt on October 20, 2020 by Professor Greg Hamilton and became Professor Greg’s first cherished Black Belt and closest training partner as well as his left and right hand in every way.

Professor Hamilton’s influence and mentorship quickly spread as he and Professor Phillip Bulloch built a strong community and a highly successful kids and adults Jiu-Jitsu program at Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Mid Cities.

Personal Achievements & Team Accomplishments

Professor Greg Hamilton is currently an active competitor who is more so focused on investing into the goals of his students rather than his own personal competitive goals. He has been competing for over 20 years and has acquired a huge amount of competitive experiences he is now focused to pass onto his students.

Always leading from the front, Professor Greg Hamilton is now more selective which events he competes in, focusing more on Fight 2 Win (Professional Jiu Jitsu) and IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) events.

Professor Hamilton’s impact on the BJJ world extends far beyond his academy ands students whom he teaches and trains with daily. He has released five “best-selling” instructionals on BJJ Fanatics you can find at www.GregHamiltonBJJ.com focusing on the systematic and strategic use of the Gi and lapels in Jiu-Jitsu with several more planned to be released in the near future.

His innovative approach and detailed instruction have garnered a world wide following and respect as a true innovator of Gi Jiu Jitsu, with over 10,000 videos and counting, which he has shared for free with the world of BJJ on YouTube at Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW.

After leading his former team, Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Mid Cities to 2nd place in Texas for the 2022 Jiu Jitsu World League season, Professor Greg Hamilton set forth even higher goals for his team for 2023.

In November 2022, the MISSION & GOAL was simple and clear for his team: LET’S ACHIEVE 1ST PLACE IN TEXAS FOR THE 2023 JIU JITSU WORLD LEAGUE SEASON. The training starts NOW!!!

After an incredibly grueling and hard fought year of competing, on November 19, 2023, Professor Greg Hamilton’s team, Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Mid Cities, won 1st place at the prestigious Jiu Jitsu World League Texas Finals for the 2023 season taking home THREE Team Trophies, for 1st Place Academy, 1st Place Elite 8 and 1st Place Organization.

Coming back from 3rd place, and finishing 1st in the 2023 Texas Finals, also secured the “Triple Crown Victory” for Professor Hamilton’s team Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Mid Cities as the Number #1 Academy in Texas for the 2023 Jiu Jitsu World League Season.

Since the formation of the highly prestigious Jiu Jitsu World League Organization, no other academy has ever achieved the “Triple Crown” whereby Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Mid Cities will go down in the record books as the very first JJWL Triple Crown Winner achieving:

• 1st Place Academy in Texas for 2023 Season
• 1st Place Elite 8 in Texas for 2023 Season
• 1st Place Organization in Texas for 2023 Season

Professor Hamilton’s academy and team, Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Mid Cities, accomplished a unique and remarkable achievement that underscored Professor Hamilton’s prowess as both an active competitor as well as a teacher and coach. 

His academy became a hub of high-level training in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, fostering a community of dedicated champion athletes and and everyday Jiu-Jitsu from kids to adults.

Teaching Philosophy and Legacy

Professor Hamilton’s dedication to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and in particular to his students is not confined to the mat. He believes in teaching his students to reach their highest potential in everyday life, embodying the philosophy that Jiu-Jitsu is a transformative lifestyle.

With thousands of technique videos and countless hours of training footage available on YouTube at the popular Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW YouTube Channel, he continues to be a source of knowledge and inspiration for the BJJ community worldwide.

A New Chapter Begins at Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW

Now, alongside Master Renzo Gracie and Professor Phillip Bulloch, Professor Greg Hamilton is building a new legacy in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Rooted in the lineage and philosophy of Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, he continues to share his over 20 years of experience and knowledge, ensuring that his students not only become skilled martial artists but also the best versions of themselves.

In the ever-evolving world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Professor Greg Hamilton stands out as a beacon of excellence, dedication, and innovation. His journey from a beginner in the savage early days of Jiu-Jitsu to a master and mentor is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the art and his students. 

As he continues to teach, compete, and inspire, Professor Greg Hamilton BJJs legacy and accomplishments will live on for generations to come so that his daughters, and his future grandchildren will always remember their Dad and Grandfather as a strong, kind loving, and giving man of service who dedicated his life to having the most positive and life changing impact on everybody he came in contact with whether on the mat or off the mat.

Some Advice from Professor Greg Hamilton BJJ

Last bit of advice.  The Jiu Jitsu journey never ends.  The journey is the destination.  Enjoy every moment you have on the mat, and never chase promotions.  They will come in due time.  Just trust your professors.  Be present, be driven and disciplined.  Live a healthy life off the mats and consume healthy food, so you can perform at your optimum on the mat. Before you know it, time will pass as it inevitably will, and you will see your belt change from white to black.  

A white belt is a black belt who never quit, and now that you are a student at the legendary Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW, the only Renzo Gracie academy in North Texas, we promise that we will always work tirelessly to ensure that all of our students are motivated, excited about Jiu Jitsu, and loving their unique journey in every way imaginable.

Professor Greg Hamilton would like to personally invite you to TRY A FREE WEEK, which includes ALL PROGRAMS for Kids, Teens and Adults.  We offer discounts for Families, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Active Military and Veterans, and much more.

Thank you for taking the time to read my instructor bio so that you can get to know me a little bit better personally. My life is rooted first and foremost in Faith in Christ my Lord and Savior (God), my true and pure love for my 2 daughters who are my world and my absolute commitment and love for Jiu Jitsu and my students.

The Jiu Jitsu journey is truly life changing, not only for the students but also for us as instructors and professors. I always explain and remind all of our students that training Jiu Jitsu will give YOU purpose. We, as your instructors, will hold you accountable and will help you reach your highest potential. And you, as the student, will inspire us to always be our best for you and to always lead from the front by example.

The Jiu Jitsu journey never ends. The journey is the destination. Enjoy every moment you have on the mat, and never chase promotions. They will come in due time.

Trust your professors. Be present, be driven and disciplined. Live a healthy life off the mats and consume healthy food, so you can perform at your optimum on the mat.  Before you know it, time will pass as it inevitably will, and you will see your belt change from white to black.

A white belt is a black belt who never quit, and now that you are a student at the legendary Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW, the only Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy in North Texas and DFW, we promise that we will always work tirelessly to ensure that all of our students are motivated, excited about Jiu Jitsu, and loving their unique journey in every way imaginable.

Message from Professor Greg Hamilton to our new students:

On behalf of Master Renzo Gracie and our Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW staff, I would like to invite you to come in and try ONE WEEK FREE – ALL PROGRAMS for kids, teens and adults. We have discounts for FAMILIES, 1ST RESPONDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, VETERANS and much more.