Airlock Jiu Jitsu

Rei was born in Venezuela and grew up practicing Shotokan Karate and Tai Chi Chuan, which greatly improved early health issues. He moved to the US in 2001 and joined the United States Army as an Infantryman, deploying multiple times to the Middle East. During this time, he was introduced to the Army Combatives Program and fell in love with grappling.

Upon returning to the United States, he sought to become an expert in this program, eventually becoming a full time Tactical Combatives Instructor at JBLM Washington, as well as receiving extensive training in SOCP, The Special Operations Combatives Program. In 2013, he began studying Jiu Jitsu under Professor Jason Palacios (Royce Gracie black belt).

Due to the dynamic nature of military life, Rei moved to Texas in 2015, where he continued to train and compete extensively, eventually earning his black belt in 2020 from Professor John Ramseier (John’s Gym/LEAD BJJ). Aside from teaching Jiu Jitsu and Army Combatives, Rei is an instructor for the elite self defense company Sheepdog Response and teaches both hand to hand combat and firearms all over the country.

In February 2024, and after 20 years of honorable service, Rei chose to retire from the US ARMY in order to focus more on family and teaching.

Competition experience includes: IBJJF, NAGA, FIGHT2WIN, KIRIN, GARCIA PROMOTIONS, and other nationally recognized organizations.