PROFESSOR JUSTIN FARWELL
Founder | Head Instructor | BJJ Black Belt
As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the world-renowned Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa and an undefeated amateur MMA fighter, Coach Justin brings over a decade of high-level, competition-tested experience to every class he teaches. His approach blends real-world application, strong fundamentals, and a faith-based mission rooted in discipline, love, and transformation.
Lineage & Purpose
For those who care about lineage, here is mine carried with pride and responsibility:
Carlson Gracie
→ Ricardo de La Riva
→ Ricardo Liborio
→ André “Dedeco” Almeida
→ Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa
→ Justin Farwell
Most of us start Jiu-Jitsu because we want to learn how to defend ourselves.
At some point in our lives, we were hurt physically, emotionally or spiritually.
Maybe we were bullied.
Maybe we felt weak.
Maybe we felt helpless.
Maybe we simply wanted to make sure that no one could ever make us feel that way again.
We walk into the academy believing Jiu-Jitsu is about protection, control, and survival.
And at first, it is.
But if we stay long enough and if we’re fortunate enough to learn under the right professors, we begin to understand that Jiu-Jitsu was never really about that.
It teaches humility.
It teaches patience.
It teaches us how to struggle without quitting.
How to fail safely.
How to carry responsibility for ourselves and for others.
Over time, the focus shifts.
It stops being about how dangerous we can be…
and starts becoming about how much good we can do.
We learn how to help people who walk in hurting the same way we once were.
We learn how to build confidence in kids.
Discipline in teenagers.
Purpose in adults.
Strength in people who didn’t know they had any left.
That’s when Jiu-Jitsu becomes bigger than techniques or belts.
That’s when it becomes service.
That is the real legacy.
That is the real meaning of lineage.
I’m incredibly proud to be part of this family tree proud of where I come from, proud of who taught me and proud of the responsibility to pass this on to the next generation the right way.
Grateful. Humble. Honored.
Solidarity MMA was built on Christian values. Inspired by Christ, Justin founded the academy with a clear purpose: to use Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing and MMA as tools to bring people closer to God. His goal is to heal, uplift and build a community that reflects strength, compassion and unity.
For those searching for Jiu-Jitsu classes near me, Solidarity offers something more.
The mats are more than a place to train for us.
They are a place to transform physically, mentally and spiritually.
A Decorated and Active Competitor
Coach Justin has over 100 documented career wins across IBJJF, ADCC, NAGA, AGF, JJWL, Grappling Industries, Newbreed, Elevate Submission Series, and Xtreme Fight Club. Known for his relentless pressure, pace, and leadership by example, he is one of the most active competitors in the region.
World-Level Accomplishments:
IBJJF No-Gi World Championship Silver Medalist
IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship Bronze Medalist
Amateur MMA Success:
2–0 Amateur MMA Record
Two-Time Fight of the Night Winner (XFC 1 and XFC 3)
IBJJF Open Success:
Multiple-time medalist in Heavyweight, Super Heavyweight, and Open Class divisions
Multiple-time IBJJF Open Champion at both Brown and Black Belt
More than 100 competitive victories in Gi and No-Gi
Pro Grappling Success:
Fastest Submission of the Night – 14 seconds (Elevate Submission Series 10)
Fight to Win Pro Grappling: 1–0
National & Regional Titles:
2× NAGA World Champion
Multi-Time AGF State Champion (Texas and Oklahoma)
JJWL Season Champion
Grappling Industries Absolute Champion
Multiple-Time NAGA Absolute Medalist
Multiple-Time ADCC U.S. Open Medalist
What sets Justin apart is his commitment to continue competing at the highest level. At 43, he still enters elite Masters divisions and even steps into Adult brackets, regularly facing opponents who are younger, heavier, and highly ranked—yet he continues to bring home medals. His students train under a coach who doesn’t just teach technique; he proves it on the mat every time he competes.
Solidarity MMA was founded on principles of faith, discipline, and unity. Under Coach Justin’s leadership, the academy has become a place where kids, teens, and adults grow in skill, confidence, and character. Whether someone is brand new to martial arts or pursuing championships, Justin provides the structure, intensity, and guidance needed to succeed. Whether he’s working with absolute beginners or seasoned competitors, he provides the structured and supportive MMA training Frisco, TX residents can rely on to grow in skill, confidence, and character. He continues to train and compete alongside his students, fostering a true sense of unity and shared purpose.
PROFESSOR ALEX AJOLEZA
Gi Jiu-Jitsu Instructor | BJJ Black belt, Combatives & Sambo Specialist
Professor Alex Ajoleza brings nearly three decades of real-world grappling and combatives experience to Solidarity MMA in Frisco, TX. With approximately 27 years of training across Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Russian Sambo. Alex offers a rare blend of competition experience, military instruction, and practical application rooted in control, discipline, and effectiveness under pressure.
BACKGROUND & MARTIAL ARTS FOUNDATION:
Alex’s martial arts journey began in the late 1980s in Los Angeles, where he trained in Judo and developed a strong foundation in balance, grips, throws, and positional control. In the early 1990s, he transitioned into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, expanding his focus to ground control, submissions, and dominant positional strategy.
While stationed in Germany for five years during his military career, Alex trained extensively in Russian Sambo. He competed for many years and has competed more in Sambo than in Jiu-Jitsu, earning multiple accolades and refining a dynamic, pressure-based grappling style that blends throws, takedowns, and submissions.
MILITARY & REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE:
Professor Alex served 14 years in the United States Army, completing four deployments, including combat deployments to Ramadi, Iraq. During his service, he transitioned from a mechanic role into the Military Police, where he spent the majority of his career.
For over 10 years, Alex served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor, training soldiers in close-quarters combat, grappling, control techniques, and real-world application under stress. His instruction emphasized decision-making, positional dominance, and maintaining control in unpredictable environments.
Alex has competed extensively in both Sambo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning multiple medals in military games and grappling competitions. His competitive experience, combined with decades of instruction and real-world application, allows him to teach techniques that are both effective in sport and reliable under pressure.
Professor Alex brings a calm, disciplined presence to the academy and is deeply committed to helping students develop confidence, control, and character. His instruction reflects a lifetime of service, experience, and dedication to building capable, respectful, and well-rounded martial artists.
Professor Alex brings a calm, disciplined presence to the academy and is deeply committed to helping students develop confidence, control, and character. His instruction reflects a lifetime of service, experience, and dedication to building capable, respectful, and well-rounded martial artists.
COACH OSCAR PEREZ
Kickboxing & No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Instructor | Assistant Kids Coach
Coach Oscar Perez is a high-energy, disciplined instructor who brings enthusiasm, technical focus, and a strong work ethic to every class he teaches at Solidarity MMA in Frisco, TX. With nearly six years of kickboxing experience and two years of dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, Oscar represents the next generation of committed martial artists and coaches within the academy.
A Strong Foundation in Striking and Grappling:
Oscar began his martial arts journey in kickboxing, where he developed sharp striking fundamentals, conditioning, and discipline. He later transitioned into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with a primary focus on No-Gi grappling. While No-Gi remains his main competitive interest, Oscar also trains consistently in the Gi, building a well-rounded and technically sound grappling skill set.
His training emphasizes consistency, positional awareness, and continual improvement — traits that reflect his mindset both on and off the mat.
Discipline On and Off the Mats:
Outside the academy, Coach Oscar is a college student pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His academic path reflects his attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and disciplined approach to long-term goals — qualities that translate directly into his coaching and training style.
Oscar’s goal is to become a high-level No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu competitor, and he approaches every training session with intention, humility, and a willingness to learn.
Teaching Role at Solidarity MMA:
At Solidarity MMA, Coach Oscar teaches the 6:30 a.m. adult classes, including:
Kickboxing — Tuesdays and Thursdays
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu — Mondays and Wednesdays
In addition to leading adult classes, Oscar serves as an Assistant Kids Coach, working closely with Professor Justin across all youth programs. He is patient, encouraging, and attentive, helping young students develop confidence, discipline, and respect while maintaining a structured and positive learning environment.
A Coach Committed to Growth:
Coach Oscar teaches because he genuinely enjoys helping others improve — both technically and personally. His positive attitude, strong character, and commitment to continual growth make him a trusted coach for students of all ages and a strong role model within the Solidarity MMA community.
Join Our Community
At Solidarity MMA, you’ll find more than a martial arts school. You’ll find a Christ-centered community, committed to changing lives, one class at a time.
