Our Team - Paxibellum Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu NYC

MEET OUR TEAM

Chad, Steve, Mike, and Logan all met years ago as white belts in the same Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) academy. Chad gained his black belt under Alex Chung, while Mike and Steve were both promoted to purple belt, and Logan to blue belt, under Chad. Over the years, we have formed a family bond and still love training together to this day!

Mataas na Guro Agapito Gozalez has been Logan’s Kali instructor since 2003 and Logan has been his student instructor (Lakan Guro) since 2013.

We are truly FIGHTING NERDS, and we wish to share our knowledge, skill, and passion for Martial Arts with every student that walks through our doors. We promise not only will you learn the BJJ and Martial Arts skills, but you will have a blast doing it!

CHAD VAZQUEZ

I never expected to become a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt under Gracie Barra when I stepped onto the mats in 2007 at the White Plains Youth Bureau program. Instead, like most people, I was just hoping to get a little exercise, learn a little self-defense, and have a little fun. But something about the human chess aspect of the art made an impression on me, and I was instantly hooked. After graduating high school the following year, my training moved from White Plains to the Big Apple. There, I branched out into the combat sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), where I fought and competed in the underground fight scene of New York when it was still seen as “human cockfighting.” In this crucible, I became the 155 lbs champion of the Underground Combat League (UCL) and the 2012 fighter of the year. Finishing my MMA journey with a final fight in Madison Square Garden, I hung up my gloves and turned my focus on being the best coach possible. Soon afterward, I earned my BJJ black belt under second degree Gracie Barra black belt, Alex Chung. From there, I caught the eye of the producers of Scenic Fights, where my knowledge and ability to break down technical movements into laymen’s terms brought me a new audience and new students.

Ultimately, my entertaining teaching style resonated with viewers and students, which created enough demand to lead to the creation of Paxibellum Martial Arts.

My goal is pretty simple: To pass on my love for this beautiful art. I want to teach the different expressions and science of the combat art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Because it changed my life in ways I never expected, and I can only think that it can do the same for others

MATAAS NA GURO AGAPITO GOZALEZ

I am a Mataas Na Guro in Pekiti Tirsia Kali under Tuhon Leo Gaje/Tom Bisio. I hold an instructor rank in Wing Chun Kung Fu awarded to me by Sifu Lee Moy Shan. I trained extensively in San Miguel Eskrima under Grandmaster Momoy Canete, his senior student Master Edring Casio, and Tom Bisio. I have a 1st-degree black belt in Kajukenbo-Emperado Method. Been exposed to the Defensor Method, and Tapado.

I am continuing my Pekiti Tirsia practice with Tuhon Bill McGrath of PTI , and Tuhon Jared Wihongi of PTTA .

STEVE PAK

I grew up in a Martial Arts focused family and have been a practitioner of Martial Arts all throughout my childhood. My passion for grappling-based Martial Arts styles began when I started Wrestling and training Judo in middle and high school. I later fell in love with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) while in college, which is when I met Chad and became one of his teammates.

Since middle school, I’ve been practicing grappling and have been training with head instructor Chad Vazquez for over 13 years. I am a USA Judo Blackbelt and have a passion for coaching with more than ten years of experience to show for it.

My goal is to teach in a way where I am able to make Judo and BJJ approachable and non-intimidating for students of all skill levels. I believe in imparting solid fundamentals that teach safety and good habits which will lay the foundation for student longevity while continually creating a positive experience!

LOGAN LO

I’ve practiced martial arts my entire life and have experience in Kali, Judo, and BJJ. I began my Martial Arts training with Judo as a young man but soon fell in love with Kali after stumbling into a class with Agapito Gozalez in 2004. This man became my inspiration and 17 years later, I’ve found myself to be his assistant instructor here at Paxibellum. Agapito and I are both under the lineage of Tuhon Bill McGrath of Pekiti Tirsia International: Pekiti Tirsia International. I believe that Kali is truly a weapons art of opportunity, which means that if you have a solid object you can pick up, you can learn to defend yourself with it. My goal here at Paxibellum is to follow in the footsteps of Agapito, and teach my students the art of Kali while providing an engaging and fun atmosphere. You can also check me out at Scenic Fights where Chad and I break down some of the coolest fight scenes found on the big screen!

Come Join This Amazing Team At Paxibellum And Fall In Love With BJJ And Martial Arts Like We Have! Your First Class Is Always Free.