# Matt Thornton

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## Overview

**Name:** Matt Thornton

**Date of Birth:** March 25, 1969 (age 57)


## Bio

Founder of Straight Blast Gym (SBG), Matt Thornton built one of the first and most influential MMA-focused jiu-jitsu franchises in the United States, with his Oregon academy becoming a proving ground for early mixed martial arts. A student of Chris Haueter, who awarded him his black belt in 2002, Thornton’s path into jiu-jitsu began in 1992 after he was soundly beaten by Rickson Gracie black belt Fábio Santos in a challenge match, an experience that led him to open SBG and eventually receive his blue belt from Rickson himself. He is best known for developing the “Aliveness” training methodology, a concept emphasizing spontaneous, non-scripted drilling with active resistance and intent, which he has disseminated through workshops and numerous martial arts publications.
## Specialties

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**Last Updated:** September 24, 2026

**Data Source:** bjj.space (https://bjj.space/people/matt-thornton)