Yarbrough Martial Arts Academy was founded by World Champion and Master ranked Ryan Yarbrough, a highly skilled martial artist with over 30 years of experience in MMA , 20 years of experience running Yarbrough Martial Arts Academy and 25 years of competing in martial arts tournaments . Our academy is committed to teaching effective self-defense techniques, improving fitness levels, and instilling confidence in our students. With a focus on discipline, respect, and continuous improvement, we are proud to offer top-notch instruction in a welcoming and inclusive setting .

Martial arts background 

President of The Elite FreeStyle Hapkido Association developed in 2005 thru out the tri state area and in 2012 hosted national gatherings / training clinics , seminars , and camps when they grew from tri state area to national with instructors whom traveled to Mr. Yarbrough from Oregon , Wisconsin, Texas , Ohio , Kansas, Missouri , Conecticutt, Tennessee, Florida, Vargina, South Carolina, New York  and etc . 

Instructor Yarbrough ,  is a veteran in mixed martial arts and has a few black belts in different variates of martial arts with a background in Korean arts of Hapkido and TaeKwonDo, Japanese arts of Karate , Kickboxing, JuJitsu , Ninjutsu , and Brazilian art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu . 

 

Ryan Yarbrough is head of the famous local Team Rhino MMA est 2001 

Team Rhino started out with John Cottle and Ryan Yarbrough wrestling than went into boxing .

Ryan is the biggest veteran on his team  with a freestyle fight record 76 wins & 36 losses with 112 fights . 

2001 - 2004 Boxing competitor 

2005 - 2023 Point and Continuous Karate competitor in local tri state area of NC , SC , VA , and TN . 

2005 - 2009 American Kickboxing & Muaythai 

Won 10x National championships                         Competed in Old School Karate International, Kuro Bushi Martial Arts Organization, Sport Karate International Leauge ,Naska ,  National Black League, South East Sport Karate Association, International Kickboxing Federation, PPKF and The Mat & The Dojo leagues . 

World Championships 

2009 World Championship Sport JuJitsu (MMA rules ) at Triad ShowCase of Martial Arts promoter Master Abdoul Malik . Greensboro NC 

2014 Bare Knuckles Karate World Championship placed bronze . Promoter Hanshi Ernest Dukes Greensboro sports complex @ Old School Karate Nationals 

2014 Silver for KBMA world title fights No Gi JiuJitsu in Cabaruss arena Concord NC 

2015 Gold for KBMA world title fights Gi Jiu Jitsu Cabaruss arena Concord NC 

2019 Silver for KBMA world title fights  No Gi Jiu Jitsu Greensboro Sports Complex 

2020 - 2025  Gold , Silver , Bronze North American Grappling Association competing in both Gi and No Gi in black belt Div 

2023 Central Carolina JuJitsu world title Gold No Gi JiuJitsu world title and silver in Gi  

 

Well known for Jiu Jitsu super fights in the cage promotions by Ultimate Battle Grounds . Competing with American top team and Derek Brunson MMA school some of the best grappling schools to compete with in the tri state area !

Instructor Ryan has coached & trained a dozen fighters to World champion/ national champion / state championship and pro fights. 

HapKiDo - 1995 to currently Ko Dan Sha rank of Chil Dan and title Kwan Jang Nim under Grand Master Derman Hodge 

TaeKwonDo - 1st degree black belt under Grand Master Derman Hodge 

American & Japanese JuJitsu - 1995 to currently Title Renshi and rank of Roku Dan . Under Hanshi Derman Hodge 

American NinJutsu - 2003 to 2018 Title Sensei and of Sho Dan first degree black belt under Sensei Tim Ross 

Karate and Kickboxing 2000 - black belt in 2006 and Master rank 4th degree in Karate under Grand Master Sam Albright and Ni Dan / 2nd Dan Kickboxing under Coach Bob Yoder .

Student of Hanshi Ernest Dukes middle weight Kickboxing World Champion 34 wins 4 loss and 4x Karate world champion 

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - 2007 - 2025 - 1st degree black belt under 7th Dan Gracie Jiu Jitsu legendary Danny Lane . 

 

 

Ryan Yarbrough Black belt rooster of students .

 

7th Dan - Ryan Yarbrough - Chil Dan - Ko Dan Sha 

6th Dan - Sabum Nim Horace Sessoms Hapkido & Purple belt Ninjutsu 

6th Dan - Master Richard Waldherr - Karate & Hapkido 

 

5th Dan 

 

Jerry Dehart 

Jon Farlow 

Ray Chatman OR 

 

4th Dan 

 

Cody Campbell 

Anna Chatman OR 

Scotty Hammonds 

Chris MacDonald MO

Stephanie Yarbrough 

Maxwell Waters OH 

 

3rd Dan 

 

 

Jeremiah Miller 

Chad Nealey 

Felix Boggan 

Chuck Harrison TX 

Kirk Simmons TX 

Robert Shook TX 

 

2nd Dan 

 

Jordan Byrd 

Kassidie Yarbrough 

Ryan Yarbrough 

Thomas Jackson 

Ernest Dukes 

Danny Bundy 

Sam Albright 

Nick Albright 

Tina Albright 

 

Black Belt 

 

Sangeeta Das   MO

Lodyn Das          MO

Andrea MacDonald MO

Chris Jr MacDonald MO

Keith Garrow MA

Eric Ellis CT 

Drew Serrano CT

David Lebleu TX 

Bob Yoder Ohio 

Stephen Kane NY 

Adam Wardell 

Tim Toss 

Michael Southern WA

Bethany Southern WA

Casey Martin 

Sara Farlow 

Michael Burger 

Te'Kyia Burger 

Brandon Burger 

Andrew Duncan 

Thomas Jackson 

Jon Aistrop 

Daniel Moss 

Landon Hill 

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