Coaches Bio:
Professor Ian Lawler
- Began training kick-boxing in 2002, NoGi jiu jitsu and boxing in 2005, Gi jiu jitsu 2007, wrestling in 2011. Total of 24 years of martial arts training experience.
- Began coaching: 2010-2014 for the All-Marine Corps Fight team
- Opened Somerset Martial arts in Dec. 2014 which has crowned 18 national champions, dozens of state champions in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Coached more than a dozen IBJJF Gold medalists, and South East ky’s only Pan-American Champion and medalists. SMA has had 6 amateur MMA champions, 4 Professional MMA champions, 3 amateur kickboxing champions, and hundreds of martial artists over the years.
Personal accolades
- Promoted to Jiu Jitsu black belt under Michael Seals and Shawn Hammonds in March of 2020, and is now a 2nd degree black belt.
- South East Ky’s only IBJJF competitive black belt.
- 3 time Ohio State black belt champion
- 2 time American Combat Sport Jiu Jitsu league (ASJL) middle weight black belt national champion
- Current ASJL national black belt grand champion
- 2 time West Virginia state brown belt champion
- 2014 UFC expo nogi 165 expert champion
- Professional MMA recored 7-4-1 with 5 first round finishes
- Amateur MMA record 4-1
- Amateur kick boxing 3-0
- Amateur Boxing 2-0
- Pakration record 19-3
- Total fight record 35-8-1
- Over 250 jiu jitsu matches