Matthew David Vernon

Matt Vernon is the owner and head instructor of Primate Jiu Jitsu, which he opened in 2015. He started training jiu jitsu in 2007 and is a first-degree black belt under Professor Christian Derr of Clinch Martial Arts in Owasso, Oklahoma, himself a first-degree black belt under Jean Jacques Machado; his lineage runs Helio Gracie to Rickson Gracie to Jean Jacques Machado to Derr. An experienced competitor, Vernon has trained and competed in grappling sports for most of his life and modeled his own academy on the encouraging environment Derr built at Clinch Martial Arts. He runs the school with co-owner Kendall Vernon, who serves as assistant instructor.