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Dr. James Soetebeer began training with his older brothers in the martial arts 28 years ago and
never lost his passion. Over the years, James has had the privilege of studying many different
styles while always keeping the mind of a student, searching for new knowledge, wisdom and skills. He
has earned black belts in several arts including Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo Karate and Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu. He has also trained in depth in Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, Kali, Silat, Judo, Sambo,
Greco and Freestyle Wrestling with many national and world champions.
Gracie (Brazilian) Jiu-Jitsu has taken James Soetebeer on a journey that began in 1993. He started his training in
a Relson Gracie affiliated school near Detroit, Michigan. At that time he was teaching Kenpo Karate, which is a
blend of Kung Fu, Karate, Kali and Lua (Hawaiian tribal art). He was also working security at a rough nightclub and
had plenty of opportunities to use his new grappling skills in brawls that rivaled any from the movie Roadhouse.
In 1995 James had his first bareknuckle vale tudo match in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He won that fight but realized he
could not make a career out of fighting at that time as the bouts were not sanctioned and the payouts did not even
cover his medical bills so he decided to go to college.
Since that time, James has had the pleasure of training with many great teachers and learned the multiple sides of
Jiu-Jitsu including Gi (uniform) techniques, luta livre (No-Gi), self defense techniques, mixed martial arts and
vale tudo (anything goes).
After 14 years of being humbled on the mat, James finally received his black belt in 2007 from Professor Kazeka
Muniz who is a 3rd degree black belt under Master Carlos Gracie, Jr. At Bangkok Boxing, he teaches Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling for mixed martial arts, self defense and just for fun. It is a great way to make
friends, learn self control, patience, confidence and humility.
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