ABOUT
About us
Welcome to the World Famous Fight Capital Gym.
The Fight Capital Gym is the first Mixed Martial Arts Gym in the state of Nevada. Once famously known as Academy J-sect Jiu Jitsu, founder and MMA pioneer John Lewis, opened the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in the Vegas Valley which became a popular training destination for mixed martial artist across the world. Lewis eventually teamed up with professional boxer and UNLV boxing coach Skipper Kelp to add the striking element to J-sect Jiu Jitsu. Academy J-sect quickly became one of the premier mixed martial arts training centers in the world. As the popularity of the UFC skyrocketed in the early to mid 2000's, J-sect opened its doors to the everyday person and was no longer just a place for fighters and jiu jitsu competitors.
Academy J-sect's clientele became much more diversified and different classes were added to the curriculum to accommodate the new customers so that everyone could benefit from the knowledge and skills of Lewis and Kelp. Lewis, a successful entrepreneur and aspiring actor, moved to California to pursue other business opportunities and left sole ownership of the gym to Skipper Kelp. Kelp wanted the name of the gym to reflect what was happening inside, which was Boxing, Muay Thai, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and MMA. So many fighting disciplines were represented under one roof that the only appropriate name could be the Fight Capital.
Skipper Kelp
Fight Capital Gym owner Skipper Kelp began his journey in combat sports as a child with black belts in Taekwondo and Japanese Karate. Kelp began boxing at the age of 12 and won several nation championships including the 1987 Olympic Sports Festival, 1987 and 1988 National Golden Gloves and had the privilege of representing the U.S. in several international competitions.
Kelp turned pro in 1991 and had an entertaining career with "Tuesday Night Fights" Fight of the Year honors and retired 24-4-1 with 16 Ko's. After boxing Kelp formed the UNLV boxing team and produced over 20 National Collegiate Champions. In 2006 Kelp led the UNLV boxing team to a National Collegiate Title becoming the first non military academy in over 20 years to accomplish that feat. Kelp now devotes his time and energy to the amazing members of the Fight Capital Gym and the Fight Capital Youth Foundation.
Jason Crocco
Fight Capital Gym Co-owner
Jason has been involved in boxing since 2005, he earned a silver medal in the National Collegiate Boxing Championships for UNLV in 2006 helping the Rebles win their first National championship. Jason has been schooled by mentors David "King" Samples and Skipper Kelp to properly teach the art of Boxing.
Once weighing in at 340 lbs, he understands the difficulty of losing weight physically and mentally. Jason is an assistant coach for one of the top amateur and pro boxing teams here at The Fight Capital.
King David Sample
King David Sample, better known as Coach King, is a former professional boxer born & raised in Philadelphia, PA. In 1997 Coach King won the WBO Jr. Welterweight Championship under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Eddie Futch. After retiring from the Sweet Science, Coach King began training both boxing and MMA fighters, quickly becoming one of the most sought after trainers in the world.
Sample formed the Fight Capital Amateur Boxing Team in 2012 and shares over 25 years of boxing knowledge to the youth in the greater Las Vegas area. As an aspiring Hall of Fame trainer, Coach King offers classes and private lessons to anyone that is serious about getting in shape and learning the true art of boxing.
A-Jae
A-Jae is a Strength and Body Sculpting trainer with over 8 years of experience in martial arts and fitness. A-Jae has a passion for sharing his fitness knowledge with people of all ages to help them reach their full potential.
John Balgame
John Balgame is a renowned Dutch Kickboxing and Muay Thai instructor. Balgame has worked with world class professional fighters in Kickboxing, Muay Thai and MMA.
Balgame trains many amateur fighters aspiring to one day turn pro in major organizations. Balgame has taught the fundamentals of Kickboxing and Muay Thai to beginners and high level competitors for over 5 years.
Eddie Moreno
Eddie Moreno is a former youth Tae kwon do standout with several championship under his belt. Eddie is a US amateur boxer and Muay Thai practitioner.
Leo Ramos
Leo Ramos started his Jiu Jitsu journey over 20 years ago with legendary Master Andre Pederneiras of Nova Uniao and later received his black belt under Master Rodrigo Medeiros.
Leo has combined the teachings of his world renown instructors to bring a very technical brand of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the Fight Capital Gym.
