Marco “Professor” Perazzo started training with Phil Migliarese owner of Balance Studios in April 1995 after watching how effective Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was in the Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC. He was hooked when he learned that a smaller, weaker opponent could win a fight against a bigger, stronger person.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has helped Marco lose 70 pounds and become more confident, healthy, and happy. Also, it gave him a chance to meet new and diverse friends.
He wants every student to have fun and walk out of class believing that he has taught to the best of his ability. He believes that every student should train hard so that when the moment comes, “you are ready to accept the challenge and overcome your opponent.”
Marco is a tournament promoter and has a wealth of knowledge about the world of Jiu-Jitsu.

was born and raised in Puerto Rico and moved to New Jersey at the age of 12.  In High School he was a varsity track and cross country athlete.  After High School he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and graduated from the elite Surface Search and Rescue Program.  His interest in the martial arts developed during his involvement in combat operations during his enlistment.  This interest continued after he was Honorably Discharged from the Navy.  Carlos continued his study in the martial arts while attending  Fairleigh Dickinson University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.  After years of study in other martial disciplines, Carlos discovered the superiority of Gracie
Jiu Jitsu.  Carlos has been studying the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu for the past 4.5 years under Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Marco “The Professor” Perazzo, and currently holds the rank of Blue Belt.  Carlos has been a law enforcement officer for the past 10 years and has worked in numerous narcotics and undercover operations.  During these operations Carlos has had several encounters involving the apprehension of violent criminals where his skill in Gracie Jiu Jitsu has allowed him to resolve thesituation safely for himself and his fellow officers.  Carlos is active on the competition circuit.  His most recent and notable wins are:

2010 Grappler’s Quest, Beast of the East  (2nd Gi)
2010 U.S. Mid Atlantic Grappling  (2nd Gi)
2008 The Good Fight, Thanksgiving Throwdown  (3rd Int No-Gi)

Carlos intends to continue to be competitive in jiu jitsu tournaments in his quest to be a Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt.

Sport Fighting Light-Heavyweight Champion
2005 Arnold Classic Champion
2005 USA vs Brazil Challenge Champion
2005 Diamond State Games Champion
2004 Gracie National Champion
2002 Pan American Champion
2002 Arnold Classic Champion
1999 State Champion
1998 USJI Junior National Champion
North American Grappling Association National Champion
Grapplers Quest North American Champion

Martial Arts has always played an important role in the Preston family for almost 20 years. The patriarch of the family, Anthony Preston, sparked his children’s interest by exposing them to the Martial Arts at a young age.  “Tony” trained in Judo in college and always had an interest in Martial Arts.  Bryan took onto his father’s love first and began his training in 1994. Soon after, his father joined Bryan in class, followed by his younger brother, Scott. By 1997, their sister Sara was in the classroom with her brothers and father.  Even their older brother Matthew trained in Jiu-Jitsu in College.  Tony, Bryan, Scott and Sara were all supported in their quest for Martial Arts excellence by their family and close friends, and all four obtained the rank of black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Since 2005, Bryan has been a Team Captain for Medford’s Relay for Life. Tony’s Team was founded in honor of Bryan’s father Anthony Preston who passed away from cancer and has been a part of the relay for life to honor him and everyone that has had or loved someone with cancer.  With the aid of his teammates, Bryan has helped raise money to find a cure for cancer. To honor the memory of his father, Bryan walked for a full twenty-four hours in 2005.

Bryan Preston is a Third Degree Black Belt in Tae-Kwon-Do and has been teaching and training  for over 20 years combined. He also Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under “Professor” Marco Perazzo of New Jersey Martial Arts training towards his next goal of brown belt and his overall goal of becoming a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt.  Bryan actively takes part in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling tournaments and competes in various races including Mud Runs, Tough Mudder’s, Beach Runs and more.

Bryan also works part time for Star Physical Therapy as an aide, working closely with patients helping them with their rehab programs.  Bryan is also currently a student studying to earn a degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant.

Previous to opening his own school, Bryan taught Martial Arts for over ten years in Medford in one of the largest schools in the country to both children and adults. In addition to his years of teaching experience, Bryan completed his studies in Nutrition and Personal Training.  Bryan received his Personal Training, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification from the AFPA in 2007 and in 2010 became Marlton’s Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach (NESTA/MMACA), and Fitness Nutrition Coach (NESTA).

Recent Competition Experience

2007 NAGA August Battle at the Beach  No-Gi 3rd place
2008 Grapplers Quest Competitor Men’s Advanced No-Gi/ Gi
2008 Good Fight Battle on the Battleship  No-Gi 3rd place
2009 New Jersey Grappling Championships March  Men’s Advanced No-Gi 2nd place

Chris Hughes began training at New Jersey Martial Arts, Maple Shade under the instruction of “Professor” Marco Perazzo in August of 2007.

After graduating from The College of New Jersey where he majored in elementary education and competed on the national level in track and field, Chris began looking for an outlet to both compete and stay in shape. Thanks to the advice of close friends, Chris found exactly what he was looking for in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu has changed Chris’ life in many ways. Not only has it helped him lose close to 50 pounds, but it’s helped him regain his competitive edge.  More importantly it has led to a positive outlook on life through his newly found friends and training partners.

Chris’ goal as an instructor is to bring a thoughtful, yet fun training experience to every class. He firmly believes that with hard work, patience, and dedication, any and all students should have the ability to overcome life’s many challenges…both on and off the mat.

2008 US Grappling Diamond State Games 1st place beginner div
2008 Grapplers Quest Copa Atlantica 3rd place white belt
2008 NJ Grappling Championships 3rd place intermediate div
2009 Thanksgiving Throwdown 2nd place blue belt
2009 Grapplers Quest Beast of the East 3rd place intermediate div
2009 ADCC Regionals 3rd place intermediate div
2009 No Gi Pan Ams 2nd place blue belt
2009 On The Mat Regionals 1st place blue belt
2009 US Grappling Submission Only VI 2nd place advanced div
2009 US Grappling Submission Only VI 1st place blue belt
2010 US Grappling Mid Atlantic Championships 2nd place blue belt
2010 Grapplers Quest Copa Atlantica 3rd place blue belt
2010 US Grappling Diamond State Games 1st place blue belt
2011 US Grappling Diamond State Games 1st place advanced div

-Steven Kiss Began training at New Jersey Martial Arts under the instruction of Marco Perazzo in 2008. He attended Cinnaminson High and graduated in the class of 97’. While attending Cinnaminson he was a 3 year varsity letterman in soccer. Steven swam and wrestled 2 years respectively. Upon Graduating he attended BCC and played soccer. After 2 years at BCC Steven joined the US Military.
He also graduated from Central Missouri State University 02’ with a BS in Business while on active duty in the US Military. He served honorably in the United States Air Force as a weapons specialist and proudly served during Operation Allied Force in Kosovo and Enduring Freedom in Iraq. Steve now proudly represents Team NJMA at Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournaments, MMA Fights, and Muay Thai fights.

“Training with ” Professor” Marco and team NJMA has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I’ve gained life long friendships with my training partners and coaches. It has given me an invigorated sense of purpose and brought my life more meaning. When I began training it was honestly to get in shape and stay healthy…my passion for training and competeing has led me to compete and fight. I can’t speak highly enough of the coaches and team at New Jersey Martial Arts in Maple Shade and Delran.”

Peter Ferroni began training under the instruction of Marco “Professor” Perazzo in May 2009.

Pete grew up in Pennsauken and Cinnaminson, so he has lived in South Jersey all of his life. He graduated from Cinnaminson High School in 2004, and took some classes at Burlington County College. Although he has not yet obtained a degree, his interests are in Psychology and Nutrition.

After getting bored with his usual workout at the gym, Pete started looking for another form of exercise. A friend had asked Pete to go check out NJMA with him. He was not sure if he would like it, but decided to try it out. He fell in love with the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after the first class. He found it to be great exercise and noticed a definite boost in his confidence. He used to feel nervous around crowds, and now he is competing, sometimes in front of hundreds of people – and loving it! He really feels that he is in the best shape of his life because of Brazilian Jui Jitsu and the training he has had at NJMA. He also likes that he has gotten to meet so many interesting people, and has made so many great friends through training and competitions.

Pete began teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to children at NJMA in 2010, and loves that he gets to share what he has learned with others. Since then, he has also begun teaching fundamentals classes at NJMA.To him, one of the greatest feelings is watching someone that he has helped, compete and do well in tournaments.