AMA Upstate

Operating as Absolute Martial Arts, or AMA Upstate, at 1895-B Gentry Memorial Highway in Easley, South Carolina, this academy serves students across Pickens County under Master-Instructor Bruce Sylvia, known to students as Mr. S. A local educator holding a Master's Degree of Education and a Bachelor's Degree of Science, Bruce Sylvia began martial arts training in 1998 and earned his Taekwondo black belt in 2003. He holds a Kukkiwon-certified 5th Dan in the World Taekwondo Federation, 4th Dan ranks in the World Martial Arts College and Taekwon-Do Han Moo Kwan and Taekwondo Grandmasters organizations, and began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2009, earning his black belt in 2019 and his 1st degree in 2024. Youth programs in Easley include the Junior's Class for ages 4 to 8 and the Children's Class for ages 8 to 13, offering Monday Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tuesday Hybrid Striking blending boxing and Taekwondo, and Thursday Mixed BJJ and Striking. The Teen and Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program serves ages 13 and up on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, covering takedowns, positional control, escapes, guard work, submissions, and rolling.