Mike Fowler - 4th Degree BJJ Black Belt

Mike Fowler was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia in the United States on December 30, 1982. He became famous because of his leopard-style haircut and defeating famous BJJ fighters. Fowler was the first BJJ athlete who completed the “Grappling Blue Print,” a curriculum by Lloyd Irvin.

Fowler started his martial arts career learning taekwondo and wrestling. He started wrestling during high school. His interest in combat sports helped him eventually learn about jiu-jitsu.

Fowler’s wrestling coach was the person who introduced jiu-jitsu to him. Fowler wanted to start his jiu-jitsu career at a competitive institute, eventually deciding on Lloyd Irvin’s academy.

He immediately fell in love with grappling after the first class and paid the advance fee for the whole year. At this time, Fowler was training in BJJ and MMA.

When Fowler had an MMA record of 2-0, he decided to focus all of his attention on Brazilian jiu-jitsu only. He left college and joined Lloyd Irvin Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Maryland. His struggle and passion made him the poster boy of Ivrin’s academy.

Irvin was Fowler’s first BJJ coach and awarded him with his black belt. Under his coaching, Fowler made various records. He competed 20 times each year in international tournaments. Irvin became famous thanks to the growing reputation of his star student.

In March 2012, Fowler left his mentor, Irvin, and joined Atos Jiu-Jitsu. Later, he would also leave Atos Jiu-Jitsu to open his own academy in Hawaii.

In the early days of his jiu-jitsu training, Fowler resolved to attain his black belt in record time like BJ Penn. To ensure faster progression, he strove to compete 20 times internationally every year. He became the third fastest American to be promoted to black belt in just three and a half years.

Fowler won the gold medal in the IBJJF Pan Championship, the American National Championship, and the Grappling Quest while he was a blue and purple belt. After getting his black belt, Fowler became a three-time American National Champion and three-time Asian Open Champion.

Fowler submitted various BJJ legends in his black belt career. He defeated Renzo Gracie and multiple-time world champion Saulo Ribeiro.

Fowler traveled around a lot to lead seminars based on his competitive career. He shared his knowledge with many BJJ students. To fulfill his dream, Fowler went to Hawaii and opened his own academy, North Shore Jiu-Jitsu. He is the head instructor and trains students from the local community.

Fowler faced Ribeiro in the quarterfinal of the 2007 ADCC Championship. Ribeiro is a BJJ legend promoted to black belt by Royler Gracie.

Both fighters were highly energetic at the start of the match. Ribeiro started the match with a pulling guard but could not secure his position. Fowler initially took the top position but Ribeiro got around and took Fowler by the back. Ribeiro applied a rear naked choke from the back. Luckily, Fowler resisted the hold for one and a half minutes. After Fowler successfully resisted the rear naked choke, Ribeiro applied a full guard.

Fowler tried to escape from the full guard and ended up trapped in a complicated position. He found his head trapped under Ribeiro’s arm who also had ahold of his right arm. Fowler saw an opportunity and tried to counterattack by grabbing ahold of Ribeiro. In response, Ribeiro fell back onto the ground and Fowler’s head escaped from his grip.

Finding himself back in the top position, Fowler tried his best to control Ribeiro’s movements. He tried to submit Ribeiro multiple times but Ribeiro managed to resist. Finally, Fowler grabbed ahold of Ribeiro’s foot. Ribeiro also tried to grab Fowler’s foot but failed. At the end of the fight, Fowler submitted Ribeiro with a foot lock.

Fowler faced Kyle Sukehira in the 2008 World Championship. Fowler took the top position at the start of the match. Though he tried his best to control Sukehira’s movement, Sukehira managed to break free. Sukehira tried to apply a guillotine choke and an armbar one after the other. However, Fowler still managed to resist and escape.

Though still on the bottom, Sukehira tried to get Fowler into a hold. Eventually, he managed to apply a triangle but Fowler escaped and managed to get on top of him. Sukehira tried to escape but Fowler could not be shaken off. At the end of the match, Fowler submitted Kyle Sukehira with a cross-collar choke from a mount.

Mike Fowler VS Kyle Sukehira / World Championship 2008

Mike Fowler SUBMITS BJJ Legend With Footlock At ADCC!

Photo Credit: @thefowlereffect