Mixed Martial Arts Instructors

Eric Aasen and Rodrigo Gracie

Eric Aasen

Started formal training in 1979. Trained consistently in many styles of Traditional Martial Arts.
Started training in Kenpo and Kickboxing in the mid 1980’s, trained and taught 84 hours per week for many years, earning black belt in 1993.
Over 25 years of Thai Boxing/Kickboxing experience.
Started training with Royce Gracie in 1995.
Earned blue belt under Royce Gracie in 1997.
Fell off 3 story roof in 1998, was told to never practice martial arts again.
Starting training at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy in 1999, against doctors orders, overweight and nursing many injuries. Studied Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Combat Submission Wrestling.
Opened American School of Martial Arts in late 2004
June 2006, promoted to purple belt by Rodrigo Gracie
August 2012, promoted to brown belt by Rodrigo Gracie
May 2016, promoted to black belt by Rodrigo Gracie
Extreme Challenge Winner.
2002 Greater Midwest Submission Hunt Absolute division no gi champion.
Competed in amateur Muay Thai, Boxing, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Shoot Fighting and Mixed Martial Arts competitions.
10-4 Mixed Martial Arts Record.
Certified Coach for USA Boxing.
Certified in CPR and First Aid

Started training with American Top Team Savage in 2010
Promoted to blue belt in 2011 by Royce Gracie
Promoted to purple belt in 2014 by Rodrigo Gracie
Studied multiple different forms of Martial arts including Kung Fu and Tae kwon do
Has competed in local amateur boxing
Competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Submission Wrestling tournaments regularly
Specializes in woman’s, children’s, and beginner self defense

12 years wrestling experience
2 time state qualifier-high school
3rd in state-high school
3 time all american – college
2006-174 lb-4th place
2007-174 lb-5th place
2008-184 lb-3rd place
Augsburg college coach
Trained at Olympic Training Center
Wrestled in the Ukraine representing USA