Strategic BJJ - Alton

10/27/2026

😂 THINGS THAT ARE PERFECTLY NORMAL AT JIU JITSU BUT SOUND TERRIBLE EVERYWHERE ELSE:

"Can you choke me again? I want to see what I did wrong."

"That was a really nice armbar!"

"Can I borrow your neck for a second?"

"Wait, don't move. I want to try something."

"I think I got better at escaping being crushed."

"Thanks for beating me up tonight!"

Imagine overhearing these conversations at the grocery store. 🤣 At Strategic BJJ, we promise we're actually a pretty friendly bunch. We just have a very unusual way of showing affection.

Want to meet your new favorite weirdos?

🥋 Beginners welcome at Alton, Carrollton & Hardin!

🌐 StrategicBJJ.com

10/26/2026

🥋 EVERYTHING STARTS WITH A DREAM.

A little over 7 years ago, Keith had a purple belt, a supportive wife, and a dream.

He wanted to open a Jiu-Jitsu gym.

Not a fancy facility. Not a big operation. Just a place where he could share something he loved and hopefully make a difference in people’s lives. And so, on the 6th floor of the Riverbender building in Downtown Alton, Strategic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born. We didn’t know where this adventure would take us. We just knew we wanted to build something special.

Fast forward seven years, and here we are. Three locations. Alton. Carrollton. Hardin. More students, more friendships, more memories, and more lives touched than we ever could have imagined. And the really cool part? It all came full circle in 2025 when our Alton gym moved back into the very same building where it all began. We’ve just moved a few floors closer to the ground. 😂

It hasn’t always been easy. There have been long days, late nights, sacrifices, growing pains, and plenty of moments when we wondered what on earth we were doing. But there have also been first stripes, first submissions, first competitions, friendships, laughter, happy tears, and people discovering strength they never knew they had.

A little over seven years ago, Keith had a dream about opening a Jiu-Jitsu gym. Turns out, he was building a family. 💙🖤

🥋 EVERYTHING STARTS WITH A DREAM.

And to every single person who has walked through our doors over the years, whether you stayed for a class, a season, or all seven years, you are part of our story. Thank you for helping us turn a dream into something so much bigger than we ever imagined.

And we’re not done yet. 🥋💙





Take a trip down memory lane:

10/26/2026

Your weekly reminder that “I need to get out more” can absolutely involve learning to sweep someone off their feet. Literally. 😉

StrongHER Women’s Only Jiu-Jitsu is on this week!

📍 Carrollton: Monday, 10/26 at 6 PM
📍 Alton: Wednesday, 10/28 at 6 PM

Come for the skills. Stay for the laughs and the women cheering you on. No experience needed. We’ll learn the awkward parts together! 💪

Schedule your first class FREE! Message us on Facebook or Instagram, or email [email protected].

STRATEGICBJJ.COM

🎨 Graphic Art by Moxie. You can find her on Fivver.com

10/25/2026

🥊🔥 TWO OF OUR OWN ON THE SAME FIGHT CARD!

👊 Jamison Hartweger
👊 Ayden Wesley

These guys are putting in the work and getting ready to throw down! Let’s get our Strategic BJJ crew together and show them some support! 💪🔥

SHAMROCK FC RETURNS TO AMERISTAR CASINO NOVEMBER 21 FOR AN ACTION-PACKED NIGHT OF MMA AND KICKBOXING

Fresh off a spectacular TKO victory, “El Toro” Jose Intriago headlines Shamrock FC 379 inside Ameristar's stunning Brilliance Ballroom

ST. CHARLES, MO — Shamrock Fighting Championships returns to Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles on Saturday, November 21, 2026, for Shamrock FC 379, bringing another explosive night of professional and amateur mixed martial arts and kickboxing to one of the most impressive event spaces in the St. Louis region.

The event takes place inside Ameristar's breathtaking Brilliance Ballroom, a spectacular setting that transforms fight night into a truly unique live entertainment experience.
"Last November, our fans got their first taste of what a fight night was like in this venue, and people have been talking about it ever since! I am so excited to be back in the Brilliance Ballroom with such an incredible card!" said Shamrock FC President Jesse Finney.

Headlining the evening is the return of “El Toro” Jose Intriago, who enters the cage riding the momentum of a sensational performance at Shamrock FC 378 on October 10. Intriago delivered a highlight-reel TKO victory over a previously undefeated opponent, turning heads with an impressive display of power and precision. Just six weeks later, he returns to action against John Williams, looking to build on that momentum and deliver another memorable performance.
The co-main event will feature Bryce Crump taking on “The Pitbull” Corey Roberts. Both bantamweights enter the fight riding two-fight winning streaks.

The card also features Chris Connors taking on Christopher Porter in a super middleweight matchup, along with the professional debut of local fan favorite “Wild Bill” Billy Duncan.

Shamrock FC 379 will showcase a deep lineup of rising prospects, established competitors, and local favorites, giving fans a chance to witness the next generation of combat sports talent in an electric atmosphere.

FULL FIGHT CARD (Subject to Change)
Jose Intriago vs. John Williams
Bryce Crump vs. Corey Roberts
Billy Duncan vs. Jordan Baxter
Chris Connors vs. Hannibal Hector Porter
Lucas Lopes vs. TBD
Emmanuel Primer vs. Brendan Wolf (170 lb. Kickboxing Title Fight)
Porter Matecki vs. TBD
Gerrit VanBerkel vs. Reggie Morris
Xavier Sumpter vs. Will Hoeft
Spiros Karidis vs. Bishal Magar
Antonio Munoz vs. Gabe Kettering
Jamison Hartweger vs. Gavin Devic
Rex Bittick vs. Tommy Brown
KC Mackey vs. Nadia Banther
Draiden Bush vs. Trevor White
Ayden Wesley vs. Ramon Jamerson

Additional bouts and event details will be announced as fight night approaches. All matchups are subject to change.

This is a 21+ event, and tickets are on sale now. The event will stream live on MILLIONS.
EVENT INFORMATION
Event: Shamrock FC 379
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Location: Brilliance Ballroom at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa
City: St. Charles, Missouri
Featuring: Live MMA & Kickboxing
Admission: Ages 21 and older
Tickets: On sale now

10/23/2026

🥋 WARNING: MARTIAL ARTS MAY CAUSE SIDE EFFECTS.

Possible side effects include:

✔️ Increased confidence
✔️ Random bruises you can't explain
✔️ An unreasonable amount of laundry
✔️ Calling grown adults your "mat family"
✔️ Watching two people wrestle and thinking, "I could escape that."
✔️ Spending your Friday night discussing how someone nearly broke your arm... and describing it as FUN.
✔️ Suddenly having friends who are genuinely excited to see you three times a week.

We have Jiu Jitsu, MMA/Striking, Escrima (Filipino Stick & Knife Fighting) with Sifu Mike Utechtt, and Tae Kwon Do through Blue Wave Spirit!

The best part of Martial Arts isn't just learning to defend yourself. It's finding people who challenge you, encourage you, laugh with you, and celebrate your progress.

Even if they were trying to simulate murder on you five minutes ago. ❤️

We've got room for you, too.

📍 Alton • Carrollton • Hardin

🌐 StrategicBJJ.com

10/22/2026

🥋 JIU JITSU CONFESSIONS
Things we said before starting Jiu Jitsu:

“I’m just going to try one class.”
“I definitely don’t need another hobby.”
“I’ll only buy one gi.”

And yet, here we are.

Now we’re rearranging our schedules around training, doing laundry constantly, and explaining to non-Jiu Jitsu friends why getting choked by our teammates is somehow a great way to spend the evening. 😂 The best part? We’re not the only ones.

Jiu Jitsu gives you a challenge, a community, and a reason to keep showing up, even on the days when your body strongly disagrees.

What was your biggest “I’ll never…” before starting Jiu Jitsu?

📍 Strategic BJJ — Alton, Carrollton & Hardin

🌐 StrategicBJJ.com

10/21/2026

👀 PARENTS, WE HAVE A QUESTION.

Does your child have unlimited energy?

Do they turn your living room into an obstacle course?

Do they practice WWE moves on their siblings?

Do they somehow get LOUDER when you ask them to be quiet?

We might have just the thing. 😂

At Strategic BJJ, we help kids turn all that energy into confidence, discipline, teamwork, and actual skills. They’ll learn respect, self-defense, and how to handle challenges. And you might finally get a little peace and quiet on the ride home.

Ok…No promises on that last part. 🤣

🥋 Youth Jiu Jitsu at Alton, Carrollton & Hardin!

🌐 StrategicBJJ.com

10/20/2026

😂 THINGS PEOPLE SAY BEFORE TRYING JIU JITSU:

“I’m too out of shape.”

“I’m not flexible.”

“I don’t know how to fight.”

“I’m too old for that.”

Listen. Half of us make sound effects just getting off the couch. Some of us have to negotiate with our knees before standing up. And absolutely NONE of us looked cool during our first class.

You don’t have to get in shape to start Jiu Jitsu. You start Jiu Jitsu to get in shape. Come be awkward with us. We’re professionals at it. 🥋

📍 Alton | Carrollton | Hardin

Try a class! StrategicBJJ.com

10/20/2026

😂 Well, that’s one way to leave your mark at Strategic BJJ! 🥋

After a particularly enthusiastic drill, a mysterious little hole appeared in the drywall. 🤔 How did it get there? Nobody knows! 🤷‍♂️ **cough** Jacob **cough**

All we know is the wall apparently decided to join open mat… and forgot to tap! 😂

Meanwhile, someone seems to be saying, “Hey, don’t look at me!” 👀🤣

Just another day of making memories on the mats!