The Art of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art, combat sport and self defense system that is one of the most popular and fastest growing arts today. BJJ is an art form that emphasizes ground fighting techniques which involve various chokes and joint locks used to dominate and submit the attacker.

Meet the Instructors

At Princeton BJJ, we focus on your development as a practitioner and an individual. We have fostered an environment which is professional, fun, and dedicated to passing on our extensive experience in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to you.

Arthur Keintz, 2nd Degree Black Belt

Founder, Master Instructor

Arthur Keintz, 2nd Degree Black Belt

Founder, Master Instructor

Why Did You Start BJJ?

It was a game changer and revolutionized martial arts. At the time I was training JKD and Thai Boxing and found out how ineffective they were without a ground game.

How Long Ago?

It’s over 20 years ago now. I started with Craig Kukuk and Renzo Gracie when they opened their schools in New Jersey.

Emily Kwok, 2nd Degree Black Belt

Founder, Master Instructor

Emily Kwok, 2nd Degree Black Belt

Founder, Master Instructor

Why Did You Start BJJ?

I had wanted to box, but after doing it for 1-2 months I discovered I was terrible at it and kept getting injured! I still wanted an alternative to working out at the gym ‘lifting weights and doing cardio’, so my best friend Roy Duquette turned me on to ‘Groundwrestling’. I started with Sambo, then moved onto BJJ shortly after.

How Long Ago?

I started BJJ in 2001. Continue Reading

Valerie Worthington, 1st Degree Black Belt

Instructor

Valerie Worthington, 1st Degree Black Belt

Instructor

Why Did You Start BJJ?

Mostly to counteract the fact that I was spending all my time studying for my graduate degree and had become quite sedentary. After running a couple marathons, I decided to investigate martial arts, thinking they would keep my interest long-term, and I found BJJ—or it found me—at the school where I had started muay Thai. Once I did my first hip escape, I was a goner.

How Long Ago?

1998 Continue Reading

Mark Irons, Black Belt

Instructor

Mark Irons, Black Belt

Instructor

Why Did You Start BJJ?

I wanted to do a combat sport/martial art that had realistic feedback.

How Long Ago?

2004

Gerry Hurtado, Black Belt

Instructor

Gerry Hurtado, Black Belt

Instructor

Why Did You Start BJJ?

I had trained in other martial arts and felt that if the individual I trained with was larger he would always have an upper hand. When I found Jiu Jitsu I found an art that could neutralize anyone.

How Long Ago?

14 years Continue Reading

Mark Davis, Black Belt

Instructor

Mark Davis, Black Belt

Instructor

Why Did You Start BJJ?

I credit Mike Pandolfini 100% with getting me started in the martial arts. He’s been training in a variety of disciplines since we were in high school, and he was always looking for partners to train with in his basement and backyard. After years of asking, I finally took him up on it and starting taking BJJ classes during law school so that we could train together after graduation. Really no deep rhyme or reason as to why I started. During my teens and 20s, I got into a lot of street and/or bar altercations for no good reason and had a fascination with combat sports and the fighting arts. Just wanted to be better equipped than the next guy. Continue Reading

Michael Pandolfini, Brown Belt

Kickboxing Head Instructor

Michael Pandolfini, Brown Belt

Kickboxing Head Instructor

Why Did You Start BJJ?

I was a Bruce Lee fanatic. I always loved martial arts growing up; however, I played 3 seasons of sports so I never had the time. My senior year of high school after basketball season was over I decided to pursue Martial Arts. I did not know where to begin, so I opened the Yellow Pages and saw “Shaolin Kung Fu”. At this time the rap group Wu Tang Clan was a big hit so I thought that this was destined to be the place (lol). Continue Reading

Taylor Bright, Brown Belt

Instructor

Taylor Bright, Brown Belt

Instructor

Why Did You Start BJJ?

I started BJJ because I always wanted to learn how to fight, learn a martial art, and be able to defend myself, if needed. I grew up playing competitive sports, like baseball, football, soccer, long distance running, and track, and, I also played basketball with friends on the weekends. I had cousins who practiced karate and taekwondo, and I wanted to try it, too. However, because of my involvement with other sports, my parents couldn’t afford to put me in martial arts. I wasn’t able to really try it until high school. I knew about BJJ from watching UFC fights on television in high school, and it looked like a lot of fun. One of my friends and I knew of a gym down the street from where I was living, so we decided to try it out. He tried it and never came back, but I fell in love with BJJ from day one. Continue Reading

We look forward to training with you.
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What Our Customers Say

Jeff Humphrey
Jeff Humphrey

Student– Princeton BJJ

I've been at 4 academies, and Princeton Brazillian Jiu Jitsu is by far my favorite. Emily Kwok and Art Keintz are inspiring, the focus is on learning and performance, a large number of partners participate in competitions and receive lots of support from the members and professors, and all of the instructors are expert. There is a healthy balance of men and women, and the practices are a good mix of respectful training and safe sparring. The dojo is part of the Marcello Garcia association, and Art and Emily awarded legitimate Black Belts to two students last year. This Academy is special!
Gian Scozzaro
Gian Scozzaro

Parent– Princeton BJJ

This place is an absolute perfect environment for kids - the instruction and overall environment. The teaching is excellent, right balance of technical and practicality, and they make it fun for the kiddos.
Paul Nathan
Paul Nathan

Student– PBJJ

I am extremely happy to have started my BJJ journey with Art and Emily at PBJJ. It’s clear to see from all of the instructors that BJJ is more to them than just a martial art and that directly translates into the culture at the gym and the attitudes from students. I originally started because I thought it was interesting. I continue to train there because the instructors are top notch, the mats are clean, and the community of students that I train with make me feel at home.
Mollii Khang
Mollii Khang

Student– Princeton BJJ

We just wanted to thank you and everyone at Princeton BJJ for making our visit such a great experience. We all agreed it was a perfect way to spend our last day together on the east coast. Great company, great teachers, and awesome techniques! Not to mention we all felt incredible comfortable and welcomed by all the students. Can't thank you enough and we'd love to come back and visit in the future. Live well and laugh often!
Chris Mann
Chris Mann

Student– Princeton BJJ

I've been training at PBJJ for a little over a year and it has been an incredible experience. Art & Emily are world class BJJ practitioners and have an awesome staff helping them out. Art & Emily pay great attention to details and their instruction is top notch. Having trained at other gyms before, I really like the friendly & welcoming atmosphere that Art & Emily have created at PBJJ. Whether you're looking for a new place to train or discovering BJJ for the first time, PBJJ is the place for you and will be a welcoming experience.