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Maia Matalon

BJJ BLACK BELT • HEAD KIDS INSTRUCTOR

Hailing from Northern California, Maia Matalon was the head instructor for the 25/50’s Children’s Program. Maia began her grappling training as a middle school wrestler and continued wrestling all the way through high school where she was a Northern California State Champion in 2007.  While attending UC Berkeley, Maia discovered Jiu-Jitsu and never looked back as she earned her blue and purple belts from Ralph Gracie before making the leap of faith to move cross country to join the Fifty/50 team in an effort to reach her full potential as a competitor.

Since arriving in Virginia in March 2013, Maia has seen her technical grappling skills achieve new heights and her competition results have been nothing short of excellent as she emerged as one of the top up and coming female Jiu-Jitsu players in the world. Numerous weight and open weight titles at some of the most important events on the IBJJF calendar line her resume, most notably the World, Pan American, and No-Gi World Championships, culminating in a Brown Belt World Championship in 2015–an accolade she earned in spite of competing with a torn ACL.

After battling through a series of frustrating injuries, Maia received her black belt in January of 2017 and has shown a gift for teaching that is rapidly catching up to her talent for competing. One of her favorite aspects of working with the youngest and smallest martial artists is watching the excitement that shines through their smiles after each success as they learn to focus and believe in themselves, progressing as athletes, students, and martial artists.

More than just an accomplished martial artist, Maia lives out her commitment to personal growth and helping others as a professional firefighter in the Northern Virginia Area.

Some of Maia’s competitive highlights…

  • 2015 IBJJF Mundial Champion (Brown Heavyweight)

  • 2015 IBJJF Mundial Bronze (Brown Open Class)

  • 2014 IBJJF Mundial No-Gi Champion (Purple Heavyweight)

  • 2014 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Champion (Purple Open Class)

  • 2014 IBJJF Pan Champion (Purple Open Class)

  • 2014 IBJJF Pan Champion (Purple Heavyweight)

  • 2010 IBJJF Mundial Champion (Blue Open Class)

  • 2010 IBJJF Mundial Champion (Blue Heavyweight)

  • 2010 IBJJF Pan Champion (Blue Heavyweight)

  • 2010 IBJJF Pan Silver (Blue Open Class)

  • 2007 California State Champion (High School Wrestling)

  • 2007 ASICS All-American Honorable Mention (High School Wrestling)