For those interested in learning self-defense techniques, a new business has opened for teaching those techniques.
The Fort: Bjj and Self Defense co-founders and owners, Noah Terry and Brandon Pfannenstiel, opened to the public on May 8.
“We offer Jiu Jitsu classes for both kids and adults,” Terry said. “We also offer MMA and striking classes as well. All with an orientation towards self-defense.”
For those unfamiliar with these martial arts, here are explanations.
“Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and skills from a mixture of other combat sports to be used in competition. The rules allow the usage of both striking and grappling techniques while standing and on the ground. Competitions allow athletes of different disciplines of martial arts to compete under a set of unified rules,” according to https://www.ufc.com/intro-to-mma
“Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a predominantly ground-based martial art, using the principles of leverage, angles, pressure, and timing, as well as knowledge of the human anatomy, to achieve a non-violent submission of one’s opponent. Unlike other martial arts that focus on strikes and/or kicks, jiu jitsu focuses on close-contact grappling holds and techniques, and the application of chokes and joint manipulations,” according to https://www.essentialbjj.com/about-us/what-is-jiu-jitsu/
“I started training four years ago out of a desire to better myself through discipline and technique,” Terry said. “Brandon started training his sophomore year of high school at a gym called Mid-America Martial Arts. He walked in untrained and eager to learn at the age of 15. This was about 2003. He gathered an 11-1 amateur and 7-1 pro MMA record, and received his black belt in February 2025.”
Lessons are taught at 123 S. National Avenue at a converted church building.
‘
The current schedule is:
JIU JITSU: Monday through Friday from 6-7 a.m.
Sparring class: Tuesday is 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Open mat: Saturday from 7 to 8 a.m.
KIDS CLASS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
MMA: Monday is from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
STRIKING CLASS: Thursday, 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Contact: (913) 475-4321 + www.thefortfs.com