MEET Jason Sampson 

Owner & Head Instructor | Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy

 

“Jiu Jitsu saved my life,” says Jason Sampson—and it’s a belief he lives by. Alongside that guiding truth are two principles that define both his journey and his academy: hard work pays off and belief in yourself leads to success.

 

Growing up in a tough neighborhood with a challenging home life, Jason found direction at age 12 through wrestling. What began as an outlet quickly became a calling. His dedication and talent earned him All-American honors as a freshman at the Apprentice School in Newport News, Virginia. After relocating to Oklahoma City, Jason discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and began training under Rafael Lovato Jr and Lovato Sr., igniting a lifelong pursuit of the art. His early success included winning the prestigious Pan American Championship in 2006.

 

Jason returned to Texas in 2008 as a purple belt and earned his black belt in 2013. Today, he is a third-degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado. His Jiu Jitsu journey also led him to professional MMA, where he compiled an impressive 14–1 record with 7 submissions and 4 TKO victories, competing for organizations such as Bellator MMA and Legacy Fighting Alliance.

 

In 2017, Jason was forced to retire from MMA following a career-ending spinal fusion at the C4/C5 vertebrae—an injury that nearly left him wheelchair-bound. Through relentless determination and perseverance, he made a full recovery and returned to competitive Jiu Jitsu, embodying the very resilience he now instills in his students.

 

Today, Jason is a devoted father, and educator who leads Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy with passion and purpose. With over 15 years of teaching experience, he has coached seminars nationwide and worked with military personnel, law enforcement, and survivors of domestic violence. As a respected member of the Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Association, he regularly teaches at affiliate events, sharing his distinctive blend of elite wrestling and Machado Jiu Jitsu with students of all levels.

 

When he’s not on the mat, Professor Sampson enjoys spending time with his son Jase, fishing and traveling with his beloved brown lab, Shiner.