Jona Joyce is a United States Marine Corps Veteran, Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, and lifelong grappler with over 20 years of elite martial arts experience. Originally from Vicksburg, Mississippi, Jona grew up in Tampa, Florida, and lived in Kailua, Hawaii—where he first discovered Jiu-Jitsu in 1995—before settling in Los Angeles, California.

In 2007, Jona began training at the prestigious Rickson Gracie Academy in Los Angeles under Master Rickson Gracie and his son, Kron Gracie. Over the next 13 years, Jona received every rank promotion up to Brown Belt directly from Kron Gracie, training there until the academy closed in 2020. In February 2022, Jona was awarded his Black Belt by Renato Magno and Charlie Martone of Street Sports Jiu-Jitsu. His rank was officially certified and conferred by Grandmaster Rickson Gracie and the Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation in May 2022.

Jona’s dynamic martial arts philosophy bridges several elite influences. His "keep it playful" approach to Jiu-Jitsu was heavily shaped by numerous private training sessions with Ryron Gracie, while his No-Gi and MMA wrestling style was sharpened in Santa Rosa, California, with UFC legend David Terrell. Private sessions and seminars with world-renowned icons Xande Ribeiro, Jeff Glover, and John Danaher further elevate his training and teaching methodology.

Through decades of teaching seminars, group classes, and private lessons, Jona has developed a highly technical, yet universally accessible instructional style. His teaching seamlessly bridges modern sport techniques with a rock-solid foundation in street-ready self-defense for law enforcement and security personnel, all while preserving the enduring spirit of Vale Tudo.