top of page

Celebrating our 10th Anniversary!

COME WATCH A CLASS OR EVEN BETTER
TRY IT OUT FOR FREE!

Jeremy K.

"Professor Nick and his wife Mel have created the perfect environment for kids and adults alike to learn, grow, and most importantly have fun! I've been to many gyms/ clubs / dojos over the years and Evolution is by far the best culture I've ever encountered."

Ward L.

"One of the best decisions we made as a family was to join this gym. If your child has confidence issues or a hard time fitting in, this is the family environment that will help."

Mark M.

"In the short time that my son has been going to Evolution, it has become apparent that we didn’t just join a gym. We joined a family that cares just as much for the inexperienced as the experienced."

fighting stance

ABOUT EVOLUTION
JIU JITSU

Evolution Jiu Jitsu is Burlington's premiere martial arts academy since 2014. Our goal is to provide high quality Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction in a family friendly environment. Brazilian jiu jitsu is a self-defense based martial art that is practical for everyone, teaching techniques that enable self-defense against a larger, stronger opponent. As such, it is an effective discipline for women and children to master.

 

Evolution Jiu Jitsu focuses on character through leadership development and a commitment to community. Our youth program is well-known for their competitive rankings. EJJ is an IBJJF and USBJJF registered academy and has produced both Wisconsin and Midwest grappling champions! Their sportsmanship is even more renowned!

EJJ is also proud to provide customized training and self defense classes, private lessons and events, fundraising for local charities and Veterans organizations, and Disabled Veterans support programs.

Self-Confidence

Discipline

Fun

Physical Fitness

Self-Defense

Technical Skill

6

PRINCIPLES OF EVOLUTION JIU JITSU

MEET OUR STAFF

Adult Team

Professor Nick Riggle

Co-Founder and

Head Instructor

Prof. Nick is a 1st Degree Black Belt in BJJ with over 30 yrs of grappling and self-defense experience, including leading US Army Combatives instruction over his 25+ yr military career.  He is a IBJJF and USBJJF certified BJJ instructor as well as a USA Wrestling Certified Coach. 

When not on the mats Prof. is a competitive billiards player and enjoys spending time with his wife Mel with whom he Co-Founded EJJ and their 3 children, the 1st members of the EJJ family.    

Coach Lee

Professor
Lee Henning

Assistant
Instructor

Coach Lee is a Black Belt in BJJ with over 10 yrs of BJJ experience. Outside of BJJ Coach Lee has a 20+ yr career in manufacturing management and machining and was one of Prof. Nick's 1st students at EJJ.     

Coach Craig

Coach
Craig Lockman

Assistant

Coach

Coach Craig is a Brown Belt in BJJ with over 7 yrs of BJJ experience.  Off the mats Coach Craig has a 20+ yr career as an MBA Quality Control and Continuous Improvement Manager.  Both his son and daughter have grown up in the EJJ family with him.     

Coach Matt

Coach
Matt Nielsen

Assistant
Kids Coach

Coach Matt is a Purple Belt in BJJ with over 7 yrs of BJJ experience. When not grappling, Coach Matt's 15+ yr career has spanned youth ministry and video production. At home he is enjoying his 1st baby daughter who is soon to join the EJJ family.   

david vs goliath

Coach
Jeremy Knopow

Assistant

Kids Coach

Coach Jeremy is a Blue Belt in BJJ, with 1.5 yrs of BJJ experience and over 16 yrs. of total grappling experience, including as a Div I scholarship wrestler.  Coach Jeremy's career spans 30+ yrs of engineering, product design, and New Business Development. Both his young son and daughter have joined him in the EJJ family.   

Contact
How did you hear about us?

Thanks for the note, we'll get back to you promptly!

bottom of page