Born in 1996, just a few years before Royce Gracie shocked the world at UFC 1, Coach Ajala grew up alongside the rise of modern Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu. He was introduced to the art at six years old, during a time when jiu‑jitsu was still understood primarily as a self‑defense science — a system built on leverage, timing, and technique that could neutralize raw strength.

 

From that early start, his life became a continuous study of one of the hardest martial arts to master. His journey blends eras: he learned jiu‑jitsu when it was still a secret, and he evolved with it as the art transformed decade after decade.

 

A standout wrestler for Burlington City, Ajala earned over 100 wins, was awarded “Most Pins,” and won the Grapevine Wrestling Championship in his youth. He qualified for the New Jersey State Championships and carried that momentum into college, wrestling at Washington & Jefferson College as an engineering major and finishing with a record of 13–5. By fifteen, he had already earned his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu, and he went on to win multiple medals in tournaments across the region.

 

After college, he returned to his passion for physical training, earning his personal training certification at Gore’s House and deepening his understanding of athletic development and conditioning.

 

Martial science runs through his family. His father is a third‑degree black belt, and his brother is a purple belt — a household shaped by grappling, discipline, and lineage. Grandmaster Relson Gracie refers to Ajala and his brother affectionately as his nephews, a reflection of the closeness and respect within their lineage.

 

With a wrestler’s work ethic and a submission artist’s technology, Coach Ajala brings a rare combination of systems to Draza. His coaching style is patient, precise, and grounded in empathy — he teaches from the memory of having stood exactly where his students stand.

 

A student at Draza benefits from more than instruction. They receive the culmination of a lifetime spent studying multiple grappling arts, shaped by someone who has grown with jiu‑jitsu from its early American roots to its modern evolution.

Coach Kitty brings more than 25 years of experience in early‑childhood education to the Draza Martial Arts children’s program. Her background in creating structured, supportive learning environments gives her a unique ability to connect with young students and guide them with clarity, patience, and consistency.

 

Her martial arts journey began under the Relson Gracie lineage through Coach Kei Sullivan, where she developed a strong foundation in practical self‑defense and Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu fundamentals. She currently holds the rank of blue belt and continues her progression with dedication and discipline.

 

What sets Coach Kitty apart is her ability to translate complex movements into simple, accessible steps that children can understand and apply. She recognizes when a student needs encouragement, when they need structure, and when they need a challenge — adjusting her approach to bring out their best.

 

As a mother of a competitive youth boxer, she understands the demands placed on young athletes and the importance of confidence, resilience, and emotional support. Her students feel that experience in every class.

 

Coach Kitty is committed to helping children build focus, discipline, and self‑belief both on and off the mats. Her presence, professionalism, and steady leadership make her an essential part of the Draza coaching team.

Coach MJ began his Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu journey in 2015 after years of athletic experience in basketball, soccer, self‑defense, boxing, and kickboxing. With a mother who was an educator and a father who was a professional volleyball player and coach, both academics and athletics have shaped him from an early age. Sports psychology has been part of his life long before he studied it formally.

 

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Social Work, is a Certified Mediator, and is a licensed therapist. This professional background gives him a unique advantage in understanding student motivation, confidence, and the mental barriers that often appear when learning something new. His ability to read where a student is mentally — and adjust his approach accordingly — is one of his defining strengths.

 

As a Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu practitioner, Coach MJ has spent more than a decade developing his skills in the Brazilian style of practice. His teaching style reflects both his technical understanding and his deep knowledge of human behavior. He is known for breaking down complex movements into simple, digestible steps, helping students move from confusion to clarity with confidence.

 

Students describe him as “the student’s coach and the teacher’s student” — someone who learns constantly, teaches with intention, and brings out the best in everyone he works with. His contributions to Draza’s teaching methods have helped many students overcome mental blocks, frustration, and the awkwardness that comes with learning something new.

 

His worldwide travels and exposure to diverse human experiences give him an additional layer of insight into the challenges students face. Because martial arts is as much mental as physical, his background in psychology has become an essential part of the identity and instructional approach of the Draza program.

 

Coach MJ is committed to helping students grow on and off the mats, guiding them with patience, clarity, and a deep understanding of the mental side of martial arts.

Coach K’s introduction to martial arts began at six years old under the guidance of his youngest maternal uncle, a Tae Kwon Do black belt competitor and instructor. As a teenager, he continued his development through Kempo, followed by a season of high‑school wrestling in North Carolina after football season. These early experiences built the foundation for a lifetime dedicated to discipline, movement, and self‑mastery.

 

Before becoming a coach, Kei served as a United States Marine in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The resilience, grit, and mental toughness forged during his service continue to shape his approach to training and teaching.

 

In 2000, Kei began his Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu journey after witnessing the Gracie family demonstrate solutions to challenges other martial arts systems could not answer. Training under the Relson Gracie lineage in South Carolina, he earned his purple belt and developed a deep understanding of practical self‑defense and submission grappling. His competitive success — including gold medals at State and National tournaments and a strong showing at the Pan Ams — affirmed his ability to perform at a high level. The dream of a world title still fuels him.

 

While working as a graphic journalist for the Myrtle Beach newspaper, Kei suffered a stroke in 2001–2002. Quitting was not an option. He rebuilt his balance, strength, and life — only to face a second stroke at age 33, followed by multiple surgeries and long recoveries. Each time, he returned. Each time, he started again.

 

This is the root of his coaching philosophy:  

he knows what it means to begin from nothing, to rebuild, and to rise when life demands more than you think you have.

 

Kei teaches students to take martial arts beyond the dojo — to apply its tools to real life, to lead with discipline, and to move with intention. He leads by example.

 

A U.S. Marine veteran, BJJ black belt, and stroke survivor, Kei channels his unbreakable resilience into every class he teaches. He is a unique instructor who blends patience with well‑timed intensity. In an era where many instructors teach far from the source, Kei’s lineage remains close to the roots. Learning directly from Grandmaster Relson Gracie and the Migliarese brothers, he carries an edge and comprehension that cannot be counterfeited — a true blend of old school and new blood.

 

Kei possesses the rare ability to know when to apply the gentle principles of the art and when to push a student beyond their perceived limits. By doing so, he helps students unlock their full potential and become the best versions of themselves.