For many of us, the journey into martial arts begins with the beautiful, flowing movements of traditional Kung Fu. We are drawn to the intricate forms, the powerful strikes, and the rich, centuries-old history that defines the art. It’s a path of discipline, physical mastery, and profound philosophy. But as we advance, a practical question often arises: What happens when a strike doesn’t end the fight and it goes to the ground? For many traditional martial artists, the ground is an unaddressed gap, a space where the elegance of their forms feels out of reach.
At Iron Mantis Martial Arts, we see this not as a weakness but as an opportunity for growth. Our Ditang Quan Jiu Jitsu program is the seamless, logical evolution of Kung Fu for modern self-defense. This seminar is not about abandoning tradition; it’s about fulfilling the ultimate promise of your art: to be truly prepared.
The Lineage of Adaptability
Our system was not created in a vacuum. Iron Mantis was developed by Sifu Jeff Hughes over a lifetime of dedicated practice and study. But its roots run much deeper. We stand on the shoulders of giants, honoring a 400-year lineage of Northern Shaolin Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu. This tradition was born from adaptability. The style’s original creator, Wong Long, famously blended the most effective techniques from 17 other styles of his time.
Sifu Hughes is a modern inheritor of this tradition, one who has a black belt in Hawaiian Kempo under the system’s founder, John Hackleman, and a black belt in KORE Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Luigi Mondelli. He also integrated wrestling and sports performance training to create a complete system that addresses every range of combat. This intentional synthesis fills the holes he found in his own training, allowing the Iron Mantis system to be a proven, honest martial art that works in the real world. For a student, this program provides a clear path of study through what is often referred to as “the void” of martial arts training.
Translating Forms to the Floor
You’ve spent countless hours practicing your forms, but have you considered that they are more than just movements? Forms are an encyclopedia of martial knowledge, containing kinetic “keys” and martial knowledge passed down through generations of masters. Our Ditang Quan Jiu Jitsu program helps you unlock that knowledge and apply it in a ground situation.
The seminar will directly address how the movements and principles you already know can be applied to takedowns, takedown defense, and ground control. It ensures that the knowledge handed down over centuries becomes practical on the floor, providing answers for scenarios that traditional forms might not explicitly cover. We’ll show you how to transition from striking to wrestling and grappling seamlessly, adding a powerful new dimension to your game.
A Deeper Respect for the Art
This training is not about abandoning your roots; it’s about mastering them in new and modern ways. As the Iron Mantis philosophy states, “To practice martial arts is to cultivate one’s opponent and harmonize with one’s surroundings”. Our training teaches you to “harmonize” with a ground situation, turning a dangerous scenario into a controlled environment where you can apply your skill.
Remember, the “truth is on the floor”, a concept reinforced by the fact that real-world effectiveness is tested through training and application, not just theory. This seminar is your opportunity to put your art to the test and prove its enduring relevance.
Join us and bridge the gap.
🥋 Kung Fu Ground Fighting Day Camp
Hosted by Iron Mantis Martial Arts & Sifu Jeff Hughes
📍 KO Martial Arts | 587 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY
📅 Saturday, September 20th | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
https://www.komartialartsacademy.com
What You’ll Learn:
• Iron Mantis approach to bridging and takedown setups
• Takedown defense: how to stay on your feet and control the range
• Core ground positions and transitions (top & bottom)
• The 4 parts of the sprawl for real-world application
• High-percentage submissions and counters
• How to integrate Kung Fu trapping, striking, and Chi Sau into ground fighting
This is not just Jiu Jitsu. This is Kung Fu ground fighting—the Iron Mantis way.
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🎯 Who Should Attend?
• Martial artists of all styles and levels
• MMA fighters and competitors
• Kung Fu practitioners looking to expand their ground game
• Instructors seeking to offer a more complete curriculum
Fulfill the ultimate promise of your art. Train hard, train smart, finish healthy.