| Greg Jackson | |
|---|---|
 Jackson in 2010 | |
| Born | Gregory Jackson (1974-06-16)June 16, 1974 (age 51) Washington D.C., U.S. |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Trainer atJackson Wink MMA Academy |
| Spouse | Michele Iemolo (now known as Michele Jackson) |
| Children | 2 |
| Notable school | Rio Grande High School[1] |
| Website | jacksonwink |
Gregory Jackson (born June 16, 1974)[1] is an Americanmixed martial arts (MMA) trainer who co-ownsJackson Wink MMA Academy inAlbuquerque, New Mexico,[2][3] widely considered one of the top MMA training centers in the world.[4][5][6][7] Jackson has trained many successful fighters, including formerUFC Heavyweight ChampionJon Jones, formerUFC Welterweight ChampionGeorges St-Pierre, formerUFC Women's Bantamweight ChampionHolly Holm, formerLight Heavyweight ChampionRashad Evans, and a roster of other UFC contenders andWorld Extreme Cagefighting champions.
Greg Jackson was born inWashington D.C. to Kris and Jim Jackson, who wereQuakers originally from the Midwest. He and his family moved toAlbuquerque, New Mexico, when he was three years old. He came from a family of wrestlers—his father, brother, and uncle were all champions in the sport—and grew up in a rough neighborhood. For his protection, he began training injudo and learning somekickboxing to complement hiswrestling.[8] He was suspended from school on more than one occasion for instigating fights.
In 1992, after graduating fromRio Grande High School, Jackson founded his ownmartial art,Gaidojutsu, which combines rudimentary techniques fromcatch wrestling andMuay Thai with basicjudo locks. His school officially transitioned into an MMA academy in 2000.[9] In 2007, Jackson partnered with striking coach Mike Winkeljohn, a seminal moment in the academy's development; since then, the gym has been known asJackson Wink MMA Academy (JW MMA Academy),[10] reflecting their partnership.
Greg Jackson and his gym have won fiveWorld MMA Awards altogether. He won the Coach of the Year award in 2009, 2010 and 2011. His old gym, Greg Jackson Fighting Systems won the Gym of the Year award in 2009. The contemporary Jackson-Wink MMA Academy won the same award in 2015.[11] In 2008, he was namedSports Illustrated's Best Trainer andRear Naked News's Trainer of the Year.[12][13]
Jackson is a member of theNew Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.[1]
In July 2012, Jackson was featured in the premier episode ofSports Illustrated presented byLexus in a segment titledWar and Peace in Jackson's Gym, which aired on July 24, 2012, onNBC Sports Network.[14][15] Later that year, he also appeared in theYouTube-based comedy seriesEnter The Dojo.[16]
On February 5, 2013, Jackson signed withBellator to coach on the promotion's reality series titledFight Master: Bellator MMA.[17]