About IBJJA

Illinois Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy was founded in 2016 with the goal of creating a welcoming, disciplined, and family-oriented training environment in Mascoutah, Illinois.

Whether your goal is to improve fitness, learn self-defense, build confidence, or compete at a high level, IBJJA provides structured training for students of all experience levels.

From young children stepping onto the mats for the first time to experienced competitors preparing for tournaments, our programs are designed to help every student grow mentally and physically through martial arts.

At IBJJA, atmosphere matters. We believe in building strong athletes, strong families, and a strong community.

Why Train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Self Defense

Learn practical techniques that teach control, awareness, and real-world defensive skills.

Fitness & Conditioning

Improve strength, endurance, mobility, and overall health through dynamic training.

Confidence & Discipline

BJJ challenges both the body and mind, helping students build resilience and confidence over time.

Community

Train alongside a supportive team in a welcoming, family-oriented environment.

IBJJA Programs

Tiny Gorillas (Ages 5-7)

Our Tiny Gorillas program introduces young students to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a fun, structured, and encouraging environment. Classes focus on coordination, listening skills, discipline, and basic movement through age-appropriate drills and games. Students build confidence while learning respect, teamwork, and foundational martial arts skills.

Little Gorillas (Ages 8-13)

The Little Gorillas program helps students develop strong fundamentals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and self-defense while improving fitness and discipline. Classes are designed to challenge students mentally and physically in a safe, supportive environment. Whether your child wants to build confidence, stay active, or compete, this program helps them grow both on and off the mats.

Adult Class (14+)

Our Teen and Adult classes provide high-level instruction for beginners, hobbyists, and experienced competitors alike. Students learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, takedowns, positional control, submissions, and self-defense techniques in a structured training environment. Whether your goal is fitness, confidence, competition, or personal growth, our program is built to help you progress at your own pace.

MONDAY

Little Gorillas 6:00 pm

Teen / Adult BJJ 7:00 pm

TUESDAY

Tiny Gorillas 5:15 pm

Little Gorillas 6:00 pm

Teen / Adult BJJ 7:00 pm

WEDNESDAY

Little GorillasNO-GI 4:00 pm

Teen / Adult BJJ NO-GI 5:00 pm

THURSDAY

Tiny Gorillas 5:15 pm

Little Gorillas 6:00 pm

Teen / Adult BJJ 7:00 pm

FRIDAY

Closed

SATURDAY

Reserved for private lessons

SUNDAY

Closed in observance of the Lord's Day

Intrested in Joining IBJJA? Contact Us

Meet The Coaches

Owen Brickell

Head Coach/Black Belt

OWEN BRICKELL IS OWNER OF ILLINOIS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ACADEMY. OWEN RECEIVED HIS BLACK BELT FROM RAY CASIAS & ROBERT DRYSDALE.

OWEN STARTED WRESTLING AT THE AGE OF 5 YEARS OLD IN HIS HOME STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. AT THE AGE OF 18 HE ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND SERVED 11 YEARS ACTIVE DUTY.

IN 2009, OWEN WAS FIRST EXPOSED TO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU AND SINCE THEN HAS BECOME AN INTEGRATED PART OF HIS LIFE. THROUGHOUT OWEN’S BJJ CAREER HE HAS CAPTURED SEVERAL STATE, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL TITLES. HE IS CURRENTLY AN ACTIVE COMPETITOR AND STRIVES TO CONTINUE TO COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPETITION.

OWEN ALSO CURRENTLY HOLDS THE
RANK OF SANKYU (BROWN BELT) IN JUDO & JAPANESSE JUJITSU.
OWEN IS MARRIED TO HIS WIFE SHERAH AND HAS TWO BOYS, LOGAN &
LANDON. HE IS ALSO AN ELDER AT MUSTARD SEED CHURCH IN MASCOUTAH.

MAIN ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

2018 IBJJF NOGI World Championship – Bronze; 12X IBJJF Open Champion; 16x International Medalist; 6x United States Grappling Champion; 3x Newbreed Ultimate Challenge Champion; 3X American Grappling Federation Champion; Fight2Win Pro Veteran; Submission Hunter Pro Veteran; Respect Pro Veteran

Lineage

Robert Drysdale

Black Belt

REGARDED AS THE MOST ACCOMPLISHED AMERICAN GRAPPLER OF HIS GENERATION, ROBERT DRYSDALE IS A BLACK BELT UNDER LEONARDO VIEIRA AND A FORMER ADCC OPEN WEIGHT CHAMPION (2007). BORN OF THE UNION BETWEEN AN AMERICAN AND BRAZILIAN, ROBERT DRYSDALE GREW UP IN BRAZIL, TRAINING IN ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED TEAMS OF THE 2000’S ERA (BRASA CLUNE DE JIU-JITSU), WITH WHOM HE BECAME THE 2ND US NATIONAL TO WILL AN IBJJF BLACK BELT WORLD TITLE (2005). ROBERT DRYSDALE ALSO COMPETED IN MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) REACHING THE PINNACLE OF CAGE FIGHTING, THE UFC. IN 2014 DRYSDALE JOINED FORCES WITH RODRIGO CAVACA TO FORM A NEW GRAPPING TEAM – TEAM ZENTIH BJJ.

Main Accomplishments:

1st Place ADCC World Championship (2007, absolute)

1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2005)

1st Place CBJJO World Cup (2005/2006)

2nd Place IBJJF World Championship (2006/2007)

3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2007*)

1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2004, weight class & absolute)

3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2004, weight class & absolute)

Ray Casias

Black Belt

RAY CASIAS IS A 3RD BLACK BELT UNDER ROBERT DRYSDALE. RAY STARTED HIS TRAINING AT AN EARLY AGE. HE STARTED WRESTLING WHEN HE WAS 5 YRS OLD AND IT HAS BEEN A PART OF HIS LIFE FOR OVER 35 YEARS.

RAY JOINED THE MILITARY STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AND STAYED IN 4 YRS ACTIVE DUTY AND 6 YEARS IN THE RESERVES. DURING HIS ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY CAREER, HE WENT TO SEVERAL LEADERSHIP SCHOOLS AND THE COVETED ARMY RANGER SCHOOL. DURING HIS TIME IN THE MILITARY HE CONTINUED HIS LOVE OF MARTIAL ARTS LEARNING KARATE, AND TAE KWANDO. AFTER LEAVING THE MILITARY RAY ENROLLED AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE HE STARTED WRESTLING AGAIN ON A REGULAR BASES AND FOUND A JIU JITSU ACADEMY.

RAY IS ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED BJJ PLAYERS IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE AND IS THE ONLY SCHOOL OWNER THAT IS ALSO A LEVEL 4 COMBATIVES INSTRUCTOR FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

Jiu Jitsu Moms

Moms Train Free With A Child’s Membership

At Illinois Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, we believe martial arts should be something the entire family can experience together. That’s why moms train free alongside an active child membership through our Teen & Adult program.

Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, stress relief, or simply trying something new, our welcoming environment makes it easy to step onto the mats with confidence — no experience required. Training together also creates a stronger bond between parents and children while building confidence, discipline, and healthy habits for the whole family.