Rank: Black Belt under Carlos Machado
Experience: 20+ years
🥋 Martial Arts Background — Professor Darren Turner
Professor Darren Turner began his martial arts journey in the early 1990s, training in traditional karate and exploring multiple combat disciplines at a young age. This early foundation built his discipline, movement, and understanding of self-defense, which later carried into his grappling and striking systems.
He initially developed an interest in grappling through catch wrestling before transitioning into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2003. He began his formal Jiu-Jitsu training under Professor Jerry Wall at the Academy of Waco Martial Arts, where he developed a strong foundation in positional control, submissions, and structured training systems.
Throughout the early 2000s and beyond, Professor Turner continued to train consistently, refining his skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. By 2015, he had begun stepping into a more active instructional role, helping guide students and assist in structured classes while continuing to develop his own skillset.
From 2019 to 2022, Professor Turner served as an instructor teaching Army Combatives on Fort Hood. During this time, he worked with Army personnel and cadets, focusing on grappling, control, physical conditioning, discipline, and real-world application. This experience further strengthened his ability to teach in high-pressure environments and maintain a structured, results-driven training system.
Today, Professor Turner brings decades of experience to his students, with a focus on fundamentals, control, and practical application. His goal is to develop not only skilled martial artists, but disciplined, confident individuals who can perform under pressure both on and off the mat.
📈 Experience & Credentials
- Martial Arts Experience: 30+ years
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training Since: 2003
- Early Background: Traditional Karate (1990s), Catch Wrestling
- Instructor Experience: Active coaching and instruction since 2015
- Military Instruction: Army Combatives Instructor — Fort Hood (2019–2022)
- Instructor at Storm MMA and Fitness
- Owner of Martial arts of Waco
🥊 Disciplines Taught
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gi and No-Gi)
- Muay Thai and Kickboxing
- Wrestling and Takedown Systems
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
- Self-Defense and Combatives
🧠 Coaching Philosophy
Professor Turner’s coaching philosophy is built on structure, consistency, and long-term development:
- Fundamentals before advanced techniques
- Position and control before submission
- Discipline, respect, and accountability
- Scalable training for all levels
- Real-world self-defense and competition application
His system is designed to help students improve skill, fitness, confidence, and mental toughness over time.
📍 Training in Central Texas
Professor Turner leads programs through Martial Arts of Waco, serving students in Waco, Hewitt, Woodway, and surrounding areas. His programs provide a clear path in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA for students focused on self-defense, competition, and personal development.