DJ Jackson

DJ Jackson is one of Team Lloyd Irvin’s most accomplished competitors and an important figure in Brazilian jiu jitsu‘s middleweight division (82,30 kg / 181.5 lbs), having won the IBJJF World Championship in every belt division leading to black belt, a promotion he achieved on July 2012. Originally a wrestler, DJ Jackson became part of Lloyd Irvin‘s jiu-jitsu team on his off-season, and picked up a series of wins from the start, relegating wrestling to the background to focus on BJJ competition.

DJ Jackson Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: De’Alonzio Jerome Jackson

Nickname: “DJ” which is short for De’Alonzio Jerome, he is also called “Ram-Man” most likely due to his powerful double leg takedown, “Kimura-Kid” for the same prowess with that technique and “Human Honey Badger” for his tenacity on the mats.

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Jorge Pereira > Leonardo Dalla > Lloyd Irvin > DJ Jackson

Main Achievements:

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2015/2012)
• 1st Place Copa Pódio MW Grand Prix (2017)
• 1st Place UAEJJF Grand Slam, Tokyo (2018)
• 1st Place Grappling Pro WW Championship (2016)
• 2nd Place Rickson Gracie Cup (2012)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2010 purple / 2011 brown / 2009 blue)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2012 brown / 2011 purple / 2010 blue)
• 1st Place Gracie World Championship (2012** brown)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Pan American Championship (2011 purple)
• 3rd Place IBJJF Pan American Championship (2010 blue)

* Absolute
** Weight and absolute

Favorite Technique/Position: Double Leg Takedown, Half-Guard from Top.

Weight Division: Peso Médio (82,30 kg / 181.5 lbs)

Team/Association: Team Lloyd Irvin

DJ Jackson Biography

DJ Jackson was born on October 31, 1988, in District Heights, Maryland – USA. He started wrestling for the DeMartha Catholic High School, MD during his freshman year, joining Lloyd Irvin’s wrestling program (led by Jim Kelly) a couple of years into his wrestling practice (2008). A decision was made during his off-season as a way to stay in shape.

When training with Team Lloyd Irvin (TLI), DJ tried jiu-jitsu classes to keep things interesting and to add something new to his grappling game. Jackson’s talent caught Irvin’s attention at one of these classes; the head coach immediately asked DJ to help some of the more advanced students train for a no-gi tournament that was coming up, where DJ’s wrestling ability could be of great help. DJ Jackson started getting more involved in jiu-jitsu through this initial contact with TLI’s “Medal Chasers” program.

With a natural grinding style, very suited for his body frame, DJ started terrorizing local and international competitions, first in no-gi and shortly after in the gi also. DJ’s progression through this martial art’s ranking happened much faster than the sport’s average, greatly thanks to Jackson’s continuous victories in the competitive scene. These wins ultimately led to his black belt promotion, taking a total of 4 years time (2012) from white to black belt.

On his way to the black belt rank, DJ also fought in mixed martial arts (MMA), a subject that always interested the “Ram-Man”. Jackson has trained with many well-regarded cage fighters, including Phil Davis, Mike Easton, Michael Chandler, Dominic Cruz and many others.

DJ Jackson Team Lloyd Irvin black belt promotion

DJ Jackson vs Benny Dariush

DJ Jackson vs Fabian Rosario

DJ Jackson vs Raphael Rosendo