🛡️ About Us – Champion Martial Arts & Fitness
Welcome to Champion Martial Arts & Fitness, the Clear Lake area’s premier destination for high-quality martial arts instruction, combat sports training, and community development. We offer a diverse range of programs for teens and adults, including Shotokan Karate, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with planned programs in Boxing, Kickboxing, Japanese Shootboxing and MMA—all under one roof.
More than just a gym, Champion is a mindset. Whether you’re here to build confidence, learn self-defense, get in shape, or compete at the highest levels, you’ll find a supportive, disciplined, and results-driven environment built on honor, respect, and hard work.
🥋 Our Martial Arts Programs
- Judo – Powerful throws, pins, and ground control in this Olympic grappling sport
- Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Pressure-based, real-world BJJ with direct lineage to one of the sport’s most respected families
- Shotokan Karate – Traditional Japanese karate with a focus on discipline, kata, and self-defense
🥋 Coming Soon…
- Boxing & Kickboxing/Muay Thai – High-level striking instruction for fitness, self-defense, and competition
- Japanese Shootboxing – A hybrid striking/grappling discipline blending kicks, punches, throws, and submissions
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) – Integrated training for cage-ready fighters through our Silverback Fight Team
🦍 Silverback Fight Team – Be Competition Ready!
The Silverback Fight Team is Champion’s elite training program for amateur and professional fighters. Focused on Boxing, Kickboxing/Muay Thai, and MMA, this is where serious martial artists come to test and prove themselves.
Led by experienced coaches with backgrounds in UFC, Bellator, and PFL, the Silverback program emphasizes high-level sparring, tactical development, and complete fighter preparation. From local smokers to national promotions, Silverbacks train with grit, discipline, and pride.
Whether you’re a wrestler transitioning into MMA, a striker looking to sharpen your ground game, or a seasoned competitor needing a fight camp—Silverback Fight Team is your next step forward.
🧑‍🏫 Meet Our Instructors
🥋 Sensei Pedro Jimenez – Judo Program Director
As co-owner of Champion Martial Arts and Head Instructor of the Youth Judo Program, his passion for the art is the driving force behind his commitment to developing the next generation of judoka. This passion fuels the dojo’s mission to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of its young students.
He leads with the core Judo principle of Jita Kyoei (Mutual Welfare and Benefit), fostering an environment where learning is a two-way street. He believes that while students learn from him, he, in turn, learns from them. As a certified instructor and coach with USA Judo, he is dedicated to personally mentoring every student who walks through the doors.
The ultimate goal at Champion Martial Arts is to build champions, both on the mat and in life. The school’s philosophy is embodied in its motto: Train hard, stay humble, be a Champion!
“Seiryoku Zenyo (精力善用) – Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort”
🥋 Professor Steve Pellegrino – Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
As a retired professional fighter and highly respected coach, Steve offers decades of leadership and elite martial arts experience. He holds the distinguished rank of a 3rd-degree black belt in Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo Cavalcanti, a lineage renowned for its toughness and competitive dominance. This combined with years of training in Judo and Catch Wrestling, marks him as an expert in grappling arts.
Steve’s coaching philosophy is a direct reflection of his training: a discipline-first approach rooted in the uncompromising traditions of the Carlson Gracie system. He has a proven track record of developing high-level grapplers and fighters, pushing them to achieve competitive excellence through rigorous training and expert technical guidance.
“We train to become better, not just on the mat—but in life. Hard work, humility, and heart—that’s the Champion way.”
🥋 Sensei Praxedis “Logan” Lindsay – Shotokan Karate Head Instructor
Sensei Lindsay is a Go-dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) and passionate instructor with more than 25 years of experience in Shotokan Karate. His teaching emphasizes the core principles of discipline, character development, and respect, viewing karate as a path to perfecting the self.
Sensei Logan is dedicated to passing on the rich traditions of Shotokan, guiding students of all ages to build not only strong technique but also unwavering confidence and focus. He fosters a challenging yet supportive dojo environment where students are empowered to reach their full potential, both on and off the mat.
“The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants.”
🥋 Sensei Miguel López Blanco – Judo Head Instructor
Sensei Miguel a former professional judoka from Spain, this coach offers a world-class training perspective to students in the Houston area. Throughout his distinguished athletic career, he competed successfully at both national and international tournaments, earning multiple podium finishes and gaining invaluable experience against elite competition.
Today, he channels that competitive fire into a passion for teaching. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the traditional judo values of discipline and respect, combined with a modern, technical approach focused on continuous improvement. He is adept at mentoring students of all ages and backgrounds, helping them build a strong foundation, gain confidence, and achieve their personal goals. Sensei Miguel strives to create a supportive and motivating environment for every judoka on the mat.
“A tenet of randori is to apply just the right amount of force–never too much, never too little. – Jigoro Kano.”
🥋 Sensei Chris Graves – Judo Instructor
A Sandan (Third Degree Black Belt), he brings over 15 years of dedicated experience from dojos across the nation. Beginning his journey in 2009, his development has been shaped by a distinguished line of mentors. He has trained under U.S. Olympians like wrestler Maurice Allen and Korean Olympic Silver Medalist In-Chul Cho. His foundational and advanced training was guided by respected teachers including Mike Takata, who connected him to his historic lineage, and Houston’s own Sensei Andy Connelly.
Promoted to ShoDan (1st Degree) while training internationally, he earned his Ni-Dan (2nd Degree) in 2019 and his SanDan in 2024. For Chris, judo is a dynamic and ever-evolving art. He is driven by the constant opportunity for growth and the profound feeling of executing a perfect throw, a testament to the art’s blend of precision, timing, and force.
Judo lineage is – Jigoro Kano -> Toshitaka Yamauchi -> Shigeru Imoto -> Mike Takata -> Chris Graves
🥊 Coach Steve Pellegrino – Silverback Fight Team Head Coach
Coach Steve has a wealth of fighting experience, boasting over 50 professional kickboxing fights and dozens of bare-knuckle boxing matches. Steve Has trained with some of the best coaches in Boxing, Kickboxing and Muay Thai Including; Buddy McGirt, Mike McCallum, Juan Torres, Rob Kaman, and Lookchang Sitchang. He holds black belts in multiple disciplines, including a 4th Degree Taekwondo Black Belt, a 5rd Degree Kempo/Kajukenbo, and a 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under the Carlson Gracie Team.
Coach Steve is certified with USA Boxing, USMTA (United States Muay Thai Association), and the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation). As a dedicated martial arts coach he has been involved in belt promotions for students, including himself, at the Ricardo Cavalcanti Academy, Torres Mixed Martial Arts Sport (TMMAS), Kingman, Las Vegs, and Henderson Carlson Gracie Team, and Futures Mixed Martial Arts. He is the Head Coach of The Silverback Fight Team.
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road.” – Muhammad Ali”
đź”— Why Train With Champion Martial Arts & Fitness?
- Certified coaches with real-world fight and teaching experience
- Clean, professional facility with dedicated mat and striking areas
- Inclusive, ego-free atmosphere for all skill levels
- Opportunities for belt testing, tournaments, and sanctioned fights
- A true martial arts community built on respect, growth, and accountability
🚀 Ready to Get Started?
Come in for a free class or schedule a consultation today. Whether you’re here to defend yourself, find your inner fighter, or chase championship gold—Champion Martial Arts & Fitness has your back.
Train Hard. Fight Smart. Be a Champion. Join the Silverback.