# Fight To Win Jiu-Jitsu > Concord, United States ## Overview **Name:** Fight To Win Jiu-Jitsu **Description:** Fight To Win Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the only certified Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu team in the Charlotte area, with multiple locations across North Carolina and beyond. Under the close scrutiny of UFC legend Royce Gracie, Fight To Win focuses on authentic Gracie Self-Defense techniques developed by Grand Master Helio Gracie, emphasizing leverage and technique that allow smaller practitioners to defend against larger opponents. The academy has been recognized as "The Best School In the South East" by the North American Grappling Association and has led the team to win several MMA fights and countless World, National, State, and regional medals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The training philosophy at Fight To Win centers on systematic learning through the traditional Gracie Self-Defense system, which puts Jiu-Jitsu into real-life situations including strikes, takedowns, clinch work, and ground techniques. The academy caters to both recreational students seeking a lifestyle change and competitive athletes, with programs ranging from fundamentals to advanced training. Classes emphasize proper movement, balance, technical precision, and the development of a personal style for each student. Professor Steve Hall serves as the Lead Instructor and holds a 4th Degree Black Belt under Master Royce Gracie, making him one of the highest-ranked American BJJ Black Belts in the country. Steve began training in 1998 and received his black belt in October 2006, becoming only the 9th Royce Gracie black belt given in the world and Royce's fastest black belt at just eight years of training. His lineage traces through Mitsuyo Maeda > Helio Gracie > Royce Gracie/Charles dos Anjos > Steve Hall. Steve is also a Senior Referee for the North American Grappling Association and has extensive experience in mixed martial arts competition. The teaching team includes several black belts under the Royce Gracie/Steve Hall lineage, including Nick Spirito, Dan Baileys, and Mark Kerkhoff, along with experienced brown and purple belt instructors. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** 8230 Poplar Tent Road, Unit 102 Concord, MO 28027, United States **Phone:** (704) 921-1028 **Email:** Steve@FTWBJJAcademy.com **Website:** https://Www.ftwbjjacademy.com **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fight_to_win_charlotte/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FTWBJJ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FTWBJJinaction ## Instructors ### Steve Hall - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** 4th Degree Black Belt under Master Royce Gracie. Started training in 1998, received black belt in October 2006 as only the 9th Royce Gracie black belt given in the world and his fastest at just eight years. Former MMA competitor with extensive competition experience. Senior Referee for North American Grappling Association. Known as one of the most technical instructors in the Carolinas. ### Dan Baileys - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Black Belt Under Royce Gracie/Steve Hall. Kids Instructor. ### Jamie Griggs - Brown **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Brown Belt Under Royce Gracie/Steve Hall. Kids Instructor. ### Jon Plyler - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** 2nd Degree Black Belt under Royce Gracie/Steve Hall. Head Instructor of Fight To Win Denver location. Started martial arts at age 12, began BJJ training in 2004. Received black belt directly from Royce Gracie on December 9, 2013. Certified referee for US Grappling and NAGA. Over 15 years as full-time sworn law enforcement officer, certified by NC Justice Academy as specialized defensive tactics and ground defense instructor. Former lead defensive tactics instructor for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. ### Lance Passarelli - Brown **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Brown Belt Under Royce Gracie/Steve Hall. Kids Instructor. ### Mark Kerkhoff - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Black Belt Under Royce Gracie/Steve Hall. Grew up in the Midwest with traditional folkstyle wrestling background, served as team captain. Began training at Fight to Win in early 2013. Received brown belt in 2019. Certified firearms instructor and active competitive shooter. Licensed attorney with his own practice. ### Nick Spirito - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Black Belt Under Royce Gracie/Steve Hall ### William Akins - Brown **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Brown Belt Under Royce Gracie/Steve Hall. Kids Instructor. ## Programs ### Kids BJJ (Ages 5-9) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Young Warriors program centered around Gracie Self-Defense system. Children learn basics in Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, striking, self-discipline, personal wellness, and self-respect through careful instruction and functional games. ### Kids BJJ (Ages 10-15) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Teens and Pre-Teens program. Students learn authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques with emphasis on character development and technical skill building. ### Fundamentals **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Introduction to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with the gi. Focus on basics of movement, balance, and self-defense. Class includes traditional Gracie Self Defense, stretching, basic ground techniques, and drilling movements. No live sparring - live action drills develop foundation in the art. ### Advanced Gracie Jiu Jitsu **Skill Level:** Advanced **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Where the art truly begins to take shape. Focus on improving fundamentals, transitioning, and building a personal style for each student. Includes learning intricacies of ground fighting techniques followed by live sparring. ### Gracie Self-Defense **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** all_ages **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Battle tested techniques developed by Grand Master Helio Gracie. Designed to put Jiu-Jitsu into real-life situations including strikes, takedowns, clinch work, and ground techniques. Focus on leverage and balance for smaller person to defend against larger attacker. ### Private Lessons **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** all_ages **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** One-on-one instruction tailored to individual needs. Excellent way to quickly improve overall game with personalized attention on specific areas requiring improvement. --- **Last Updated:** March 21, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/missouri/concord/fight-to-win-jiu-jitsu)