bio

Nakapan Phungephorn

 Nakapan Phungephorn is a passionate life-long martial artist with over 20 years of experience practicing, teaching and competing in the martial arts.  He began his journey in 1993, studying Shaolin Kung Fu as a way to recover from a debilitating bout with Lyme’s disease.  Mental discipline and physical conditioning gained from consistent practice later lead him to a fruitful competitive career in the traditional fighting arts and included over 50 championship titles. 

Seeking to be a more capable and well-rounded martial artist, his pursuits lead him to study the combatively effective disciplines of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.  Since 1995, Nakapan has been fortunate enough to learn from many of the world’s most skilled martial artists masters earning his Brazilian Jiu-Jitu Black Belt under Professor Pedro Sauer in 2003 and a Muay Thai instructor teaching “kru” certification under Khun Kru Mike Moses and Ajarn Chai Sirisute of the World Muay Thai Association (WTBA).

Nakapan is an active grappling competitor and professional MMA fighter.  He is the founder/owner/operator of The Academy for Body Efficient Tactical Arts [BETA]; the largest and longest running mixed martial arts school located in the heart of Washington, DC USA.  His personal mission is to share the art, history, and spirit of the martial arts with the world.

 Certifications:

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt (4thDegree) under Leo Dalla
• Judo Brown Belt (ikkyu) by the United States Judo Federation
• Certified Teacher “Kru” under World Thai Boxing Association

Competition Accolades (abbreviated):

• Professional MMA Record 1-2
• Amateur MMA Record 5-0
• 9X Time US Grappling Submission Only Champion
• Kasai Pro Grappling Superfight Verteran
• 2X Time Virginia State Judo Champion
• 2X Time Maryland State Judo Champion
• 2001 WKA Amateur Middleweight Muay Thai Champion
• 50X Time Kung Fu Forms and Point Sparring Champion

International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Championship Gold Medals (abbreviated):

• 2016 World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Medium Heavyweight Champion**
• 2016 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Absolute Champion**
• 2015 San Antonio Jiu-Jitsu Absolute Champion*
• 2015 New York BJJ PRO Absolute Champion*
• 2015 New York BJJ PRO Middleweight Champion*
• 2012 New York International Jiu-Jitsu Absolute Champion*
• 2012 New York International Jiu-Jitsu Middleweight Champion*

 *Masters 1 Division     ** Masters 2 Division

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