About Gene Simco

"As a Green Beret, every skill that I train for the battlefield must prepare me to fight and win in the worst conditions. Martial Arts training is no exception. What I learn must be practical, simple and effective - but it must be taught in a way that I can understand quickly and incorporate in my skill set.

Gene Simco has trained and searched for most of his life in order to be a better Martial Artist - and he has had much success. Gene was doing Vale Tudo, when there were literally No Holds Barred and before MMA became a household word or sanctioned sport. He has also become a very dynamic instructor - intelligent, approachable, and able to convey all the subtleties of his martial art to his students. He is cool, respectful and one of the best instructors I've had; and I've been fortunate to work with some of the best in the world. Not every great fighter makes a great instructor, but the team of trainers at NYMAG are all skilled and accomplished in their disciplines, as well as very effective teachers.

Everyone is welcome to train here. The atmosphere is relaxed but intense. If you want to get in better shape more efficiently, train here; if you want to compete in Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai, train here. And if you need to learn how to defend yourself and your family in today's world, you BETTER come here, Gene and his Instructors know that the disciplines they teach all come from a need to survive and win on any battlefield -- a dark alley, an MMA cage, or the unforgiving streets of the Middle East.

When you train at NYMAG you will have fun, but you will be pushed. You will meet friends who will fight you with all they've got. You will get stronger, faster, tougher and develop skills that make you a better fighter and a better person. That's why I'm here - I don't have time for stuff that doesn't work, so I train with Gene and his staff at NYMAG -- and that's why you should be here too."

-- Terry Schappert, US Army Special Forces Medic, and host of History Channel's "Warriors with Terry Schappert"

		"I've been training under Gene for a year and a half. Pan Am - Blue Belt - Gi Champ. 'Nuff said!" - Steven Olivier, Pan Am Gold Medalist
			"My Name is Dave Edwards. I have been a student at Gene Simco's/NYMAG for 5 months. I entered as a white belt and after 5 months of training, earned my blue, then only two weeks later, won the Pan Ams, No Gi (Gold Medal) and a Bronze in Gi. Gene is a Real-Deal technician." - David Edwards, Pan Am Gold and Bronze Medalist

"The Special Operations Combative Arts Association is especially excited to announce the newest member of our elite Instructor Affiliate Team. GENE SIMCO of the New York Martial Arts Gym and JIU-JITSU.NET is a world-class instructor and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu entrepreneur that transcends multimedia with his quality teaching technique and dedication to fighting excellence. This martial arts innovator is exactly the kind of craftsman that exemplifies the principles we endorse as critical in the military combatives training of our Special Operators. Gene welcome to the Group."

– Master Sergeant Randy McElwee
Director Special Operations
Combatives Arts Association

Gene Simco teaching combatives to
Army officers and cadets at the
United States Military Academy

I recently had the pleasure of having Gene Simco teach a BJJ class to a group of Army officers and United States Military Academy cadets. I am currently in my sixth year as a practitioner of BJJ. I have served as a combatives instructor at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia and currently I am teaching combatives at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Gene organized a quick drill to quickly access the level of proficiency of each fighter in the room, and then began to teach. Gene has the unique ability to simplify the simple and get you focused on the importance of the basics. He personally worked with every fighter in the room, and at the end of two hours every student had improved their ground fighting game. For the next three days, we drilled the techniques taught by Gene, and our ability to pass the guard has improved drastically. Many folks that I have trained with always want the high end "flying arm-bar" type of instruction. Gene quickly showed us where we were sloppy with our basics. Within seconds of listening to Gene, watching him teach and move on the ground, you realize that he is world class and worth listening to. Gene has a professional but personable style and is able to speak and teach at the appropriate level to each student. I would recommend learning from Gene personally or through the use of his books and videos to anyone wanting to improve their military/police combatives, sport BJJ, MMA, or self defense skills.

– MAJ Chuck P.
Combatives Instructor
United States Military Academy

Gene Simco happens to be a very important part of The Pit, our curriculum, and our fight team. Gene is a valuable resource to us, as well as a good friend. He worked Gan McGee's corner in his last UFC fight, Chuck Lidell, Team Quest (Randy Coture, Matt Linland, Dan Henderson), BJ Penn all respect Gene and find his book (The Master Text) a great learning tool.

– John Hackleman
UFC Trainer

He is, after all, a real Martial Artist.
-- OnTheMat.com

I recently had the opportunity to train with Gene Simco while I was in New York visiting. As a beginner in the art, Gene dramatically improved my skills with his vast knowledge and easy to understand teaching style. Gene was sensitive to my job as a Police Officer and incorporated skills that would help me on the street. Gene is a great teacher and an asset to all students under his instruction. Thanks.

– Officer Chris Irsa, SWAT Team,
Portage Police, Indiana

Gene Simco is one of the most technical jiu jitsu instructors on the east coast. His students are a testament to that statement.

– Brian Cimmins,
Grapplers Quest tournament director

I've studied with Gene for over six years and in that time I've seen a few things. I've used his BJJ in both self defense and in tournament matches. It works, and it works well. His teachings are lessons that I will carry with me forever and they continue to be useful.
Due to personal reasons, I had to take a break from training. I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where I just recently returned from Iraq. While I was deployed in a forward position in the Al-Anbar province Gene's grappling techniques were helpful in handling insurgents. I was able to restrain, manipulate, and maneuver enemy combatants with ease.
On the boat ride home from the desert I began training again with some Force Reconnaissance Marines. I am intimate with both the Marine Martial Arts program and the various individual arts that the special forces Marines brought to the gym. Through all of the training, BJJ was at the forefront. Through working with superior professional warriors, men who train to fight because their lives depend on it, I began to realize just how incredible the training Gene gave me really was. I earned the Recon Marines' respect through my proficiency in fighting, even after I'd been out of daily training for almost two years. It's tough business I'm in and there is no place for empty talk, respect is all about who can deliver. Gene's teaching helped me earn the respect of my fellow Marines as well as get the job done in combat.
– Juan Morales, USMC