About Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy | Our Story & Philosophy
OUR STORY & PHILOSOPHY
Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy was founded in Gaithersburg, Maryland by Max Gimenis and Eric Philcox with a simple mission: to bring world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction and a genuine team culture to the DMV area.
Max Gimenis, an IBJJF World Champion who earned his black belt on the podium and currently competes in the UFC, leads our academy. Eric Philcox, a black belt under Max and a local entrepreneur, fell in love with this martial art and decided to create a home for it in our community.
What Makes Us Different
- High-level technical instruction rooted in GFTeam methodology
- Strong emphasis on kids development (confidence, discipline, respect)
- Inclusive environment for women, beginners, and competitors
- A real community — not just a gym
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy Gaithersburg - About Us
Max Gimenis
Max Gimenis is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, IBJJF World Champion, UFC heavyweight, and the head instructor at Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he offers exceptional Jiu Jitsu instruction.
Born in Rio de Janeiro on April 14, 1993, Max began his journey in martial arts as a child and honed his skills with GF Team under Master Júlio César Pereira. Living and training at the academy, he developed the team’s renowned pressure-passing style as a super-heavyweight and earned his black belt from Pereira when he won the brown-belt world title at the 2016 IBJJF World Championship.
As a black belt, Max became one of GF Team’s top international competitors, achieving notable accolades, including IBJJF Pan Championship gold in 2020, IBJJF World Championship silver in 2021, multiple Brazilian National titles throughout the colored belts, and a 2022 ADCC World Championship appearance. In December 2025, he received his third degree on the black belt.
Max later transitioned to mixed martial arts, amassing a professional record of 6-2, predominantly securing wins by finish, and signed with the UFC heavyweight division in 2025. He co-founded Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy with Eric Philcox to deliver GF Team methodology and high-level Gaithersburg martial arts instruction to the DMV community.
On the mat, he coaches kids, adults, women, beginners, and competitors alike. The principles that shaped his competitive career—pressure passing, positional control, and structured drilling—form the backbone of every class he conducts in Gaithersburg.
Jiu Jitsu Professor
Eric Philcox
Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy was founded in Gaithersburg, Maryland by Max Gimenis and Eric Philcox with a simple mission: to bring world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction and a genuine team culture to the DMV area.
Max Gimenis, an IBJJF World Champion who earned his black belt on the podium and currently competes in the UFC, leads our academy. Eric Philcox, a black belt under Max and a local entrepreneur, fell in love with this martial art and decided to create a home for it in our community.
What Makes Us Different
- High-level technical instruction rooted in GFTeam methodology
- Strong emphasis on kids development (confidence, discipline, respect)
- Inclusive environment for women, beginners, and competitors
- A real community — not just a gym
Guto Santos
Guto is a black belt under Master Daniel Grace and brings a clear, engaging teaching style that combines solid technique with personality and energy, making him an excellent choice for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction. With experience in both adult and kids classes, we’re confident he’ll be a fantastic addition to our Gaithersburg martial arts team and contribute significantly to our students’ development.
Striking COach
Gregory Shepherd
Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy was founded in Gaithersburg, Maryland by Max Gimenis and Eric Philcox with a simple mission: to bring world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction and a genuine team culture to the DMV area.
Max Gimenis, an IBJJF World Champion who earned his black belt on the podium and currently competes in the UFC, leads our academy. Eric Philcox, a black belt under Max and a local entrepreneur, fell in love with this martial art and decided to create a home for it in our community.
What Makes Us Different
- High-level technical instruction rooted in GFTeam methodology
- Strong emphasis on kids development (confidence, discipline, respect)
- Inclusive environment for women, beginners, and competitors
- A real community — not just a gym
Jiu Jitsu Professor
Kristian Hernandez
Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy was founded in Gaithersburg, Maryland by Max Gimenis and Eric Philcox with a simple mission: to bring world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction and a genuine team culture to the DMV area.
Max Gimenis, an IBJJF World Champion who earned his black belt on the podium and currently competes in the UFC, leads our academy. Eric Philcox, a black belt under Max and a local entrepreneur, fell in love with this martial art and decided to create a home for it in our community.
What Makes Us Different
- High-level technical instruction rooted in GFTeam methodology
- Strong emphasis on kids development (confidence, discipline, respect)
- Inclusive environment for women, beginners, and competitors
- A real community — not just a gym
Adults Instructor
Brandon Everhart
Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy was founded in Gaithersburg, Maryland by Max Gimenis and Eric Philcox with a simple mission: to bring world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction and a genuine team culture to the DMV area.
Max Gimenis, an IBJJF World Champion who earned his black belt on the podium and currently competes in the UFC, leads our academy. Eric Philcox, a black belt under Max and a local entrepreneur, fell in love with this martial art and decided to create a home for it in our community.
What Makes Us Different
- High-level technical instruction rooted in GFTeam methodology
- Strong emphasis on kids development (confidence, discipline, respect)
- Inclusive environment for women, beginners, and competitors
- A real community — not just a gym
Adults Instructor
Dan Stretz
Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy was founded in Gaithersburg, Maryland by Max Gimenis and Eric Philcox with a simple mission: to bring world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction and a genuine team culture to the DMV area.
Max Gimenis, an IBJJF World Champion who earned his black belt on the podium and currently competes in the UFC, leads our academy. Eric Philcox, a black belt under Max and a local entrepreneur, fell in love with this martial art and decided to create a home for it in our community.
What Makes Us Different
- High-level technical instruction rooted in GFTeam methodology
- Strong emphasis on kids development (confidence, discipline, respect)
- Inclusive environment for women, beginners, and competitors
- A real community — not just a gym