Jason Cárdenas Dodd
Jason is the owner and founder of Mat Life Training Center, and has been teaching martial arts in Alachua County for 25 years. His martial arts journey began with Tang Soo Do as a child, and transitioned to Japanese karate and ju jutsu in college. He is a former international heavyweight full contact karate fighter and medalist. Jason began training Brazilian jiu jitsu in 1999 and Muay Thai in 2010. Mat Life is home to Alachua County’s first full contact karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai programs under Jason’s leadership.
Credentials:
- Kyoshi, 8th Degree Black Belt in Japanese Ju Jutsu
- Renshi Shihan, 5th Degree Black Belt in Shorinji-ryu Japanese karate
- Master, Ko Ryu (Japanese weapons arts)
- Professor, 2nd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Master Instructor, Dutch-style Muay Thai
Instructors include:
- Japanese Martial Arts: Soke Nakasaki, Iwao Tomatsu, Alex Heyman, KA Shakoor
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Travis Shaddox, Marcio Simas, Ricardo De La Riva, Beto Nunes, Relson Gracie, Phil Cardella, Robert Drysdale
- Muay Thai: Stefan Butin Bik, Bobby Robare
