About Head Instructor Jason Claunch
4th Degree IBJJF Certified Black Belt Jason Claunch is the head instructor of BJJ at the Claunch Academy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Austin, Texas. Professor Claunch is a Third Degree IBJJF Certified Black Belt. He has been instructing in the Austin, Cedar Park, and Leander since 2006. Professor Claunch was formerly the Head BJJ instructor at the XFC Training Center, and before that he was the Head Instructor at the Grapplers Domain in Cedar Park.
In August 2010 he left the XFC and opened his own school in Austin. Jason Claunch began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Carlos Machado Black Belt Klay Pittman while attending Texas Tech University. After he completed his degree in Accounting in 2000 he continued to train at Pittman’s Academy until 2003. In 2003 he relocated to the Virginia Beach area and began training under Gracie Barra Black Belt Gustavo “Guga” Machado. While in Virginia Beach he was able to train BJJ with many Navy Seals, and attend seminars by some of Gracie Barra’s most heralded BJJ instructors such as Tinguinha and Gordinho. After 2 years, he again relocated, this time to Austin, Texas.
In 2006 he became a student of now 4th Degree BJJ Black Belt Karun Fiederer, a Pedro Alberto Black belt.
Since 2011 he has been a student of Professor Mario Queiroga, Co-Founder of Brasa Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Mario and Pedro are both Roberto Traven Black Belts.
Professor Claunch has trained Marine Martial Arts Instructors, numerous members of law enforcement, private security team members, professional MMA fighters, as well as children and working professionals.
Black Belt & Assistant Instructors
Black Belt Instructors:
- Griff Dabadie – 2nd Degree IBJJF Certified Black Belt in BJJ/ Brown Belt second degree (nikyu) in Judo
- Branden James – 2nd Degree IBJJF Certified Black Belt in BJJ
- Lyle Garza – 1st Degree IBJJF Certified Black Belt in BJJ
- Clint Randolph – 1st Degree Team Brasa Black Belt in BJJ
- Matias Garza – Team Braza Black Belt in BJJ
Assistant Instructors:
- Austin Scheible – Brown Belt in BJJ