HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND SUBMISSION FIGHTING

The Early Days of New England Submission Fighting

In November of 1993, a small group of Karate students watched as Royce Gracie made history by dominating the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC 1) with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Among these students was head instructor for NESF Boston, Dave Roy. Realizing the imminent paradigm shift in martial arts, Dave partnered with Kirik Jenness to open New England Submission Fighting (NESF). Located in Amherst, NESF is the oldest Mixed Martial Arts school in New England in continuous operation.

Strong Roots in The History of MMA and Jiu-Jitsu

The foundation of NESF was built during the early stages of MMA. The style was forged through the fire of the fight game, and has retained the grit and effectiveness developed through this process. Dave Roy implemented a strong technical base, with well-rounded fundamentals and a focus on closing distance to take the fight to the ground.

An Adaptive Approach to An Evolving Sport

Over time the martial arts community evolved, and submission grappling developed as its own sport outside the world of MMA. The focus on grappling attracted more than just MMA fighters. New techniques became available in a setting where strikes were not a factor. NESF adapted, carrying its MMA roots into the world of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. With elements of Wrestling and Judo, NESF has developed a dominant style for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.

New Beginnings in Greater Boston

In October of 2023, Kirik took over as head instructor in Amherst while Dave relocated to the Greater Boston Area to open NESF Boston. With one of the only dedicated No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu programs in the area, the school offers a uniquely modern approach to grappling arts. Old and new school techniques are blended together to form a well-rounded system. The culture of NESF Boston is truly one-of-a-kind. Come see for yourself with a free 7-day trial!