Do you love grappling?
Join Freeport Martial Arts, Freeport’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Wrestling headquarters
Get one free week of classes!
Enter your name, email address, and phone number to register. Bring someone else to double the fun!
Schedule
About Freeport Martial Arts
Freeport Martial Arts Academy opened in Freeport, Illinois, on October 25, 2022, bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Wrestling to the Freeport community.
Since then, we have grown to over 50 members, including men, women, and kids, who love training together and growing as individuals and as a team.
Freeport Martial Arts offers a variety of martial arts classes in Freeport for adults, teens, and kids ages 5-12, including:
- Adults Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Wrestling, often referred to as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or BJJ
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which combines striking and grappling martial arts
- Kids Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Wrestling, which develops traditional martial arts values with modern-day techniques
- Women’s Self-Defense, which addresses domestic violence and sexual assault scenarios
Address
Freeport Martial Arts is located at 107 W Main St in Freeport, Illinois, near the intersection of Galena Avenue and Main Street.
Try One Week Free
Experience our community firsthand with a free week of classes.
Enter your name, phone number, email address, and program of interest to start your Jiu-Jitsu Journey.
We will contact you soon to book your first class. We look forward to training with you!
Instructors
John Garvens, Owner & Head Instructor, Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
Professor John Garvens is the owner and head instructor of Freeport Martial Arts. He is the only International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation-certified black belt in Stephenson County, receiving his black belt from Professor Adem Redzovic and Professor Clark Gracie, both Fourth-Degree Black Belts.
Professor Adem Redzovic is the owner and head instructor of the Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club in Chicago, Illinois; Professor Clark Gracie is the owner and head instructor of the Clark Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in San Diego, California, and the founder of the Gracie Allegiance Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team.
John grew up in Freeport and graduated from Freeport High School in May 2003 and from Illinois State University in May 2007. A military veteran, John served in the United States Army Reserve from March 2004 through March 2016.
John lives in Freeport, Illinois, with his dog, Summer, and is the owner and principal architect at Garvens Consulting, a software consulting firm. His hobbies include reading, writing, and performing music in regional concert bands and jazz bands.
Thomas Foydel, Assistant Instructor, Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt
Thomas Foydel is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt who instructs and trains at Freeport Martial Arts. In 2018, he began training under Jeff Serafin and has trained under Alan Stockman and John Garvens since 2022.
Thomas has also trained in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, MMA, and taekwondo. His main hustle is software engineering, and his hobbies include gardening, music, and hiking
Summer, Gym Dog, Dog-Jitsu Purple Belt
Summer has been our loyal gym dog since Freeport Martial Arts opened in October 2022. She loves jiu-jitsu and wrestling, but she gets most excited when we play chase. Summer sleeps on her bed when she is not grappling or zooming around the gym.
Start your Jiu-Jitsu Journey
Try One Week Free
Try one free week of classes! Bring a friend, family member, significant other, or someone else to double the fun.
Under 18? Your parent or legal guardian must: (1) complete your member application; and (2) attend your first day of training.
Questions? Please contact us and ask!