By BJJ Heroes on October 25th, 2011

Mike Fowler (Atos)

Mike Fowler

Famed for his unique leopard print hairstyle and his fast rise to the top of BJJ, having achieved his BJJ black belt under Master Lloyd Irvin in 3.5 years. As a competitor, Mike Fowler has also made a name for himself winning against many big names of the sport, having become one of the most famous products from Team Irvin’s camp, doing justice to the famed “Grappling Blue Print” advertised by Master Lloyd.

Mike Fowler Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Michael Lee Fowler

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie >Rickson Gracie > Jorge Pereira > Leo Dalla > Lloyd Irvin > Mike Fowler

Main Achievements:

Pan American Champion (2003 Blue)
4x Grapplers Quest Nogi Champion (2003 – 3x, 2004)
5x American National Champion (2003 Purple weight & absolute, 2005 Black, 2006, 2009)
3x Asian Open Champion (2007 Black, 2008, 2009)
US Open Champion (2003 Purple)
Pan American Silver Medallist (2006 Black)
World Cup Bronze Medallist (2005 Brown – CBJJO)
ADCC 4^th Place (2007)

Favourite Technique/Position: Half Guard Sweep

Weight Division: Peso Medio (82kg/181lbs)

Team/Association: Atos

Mike Fowler Biography

Mike Fowler was born on December 30^th, 1982 in Virginia Beach, US where he grew up. Fowler picked up wrestling in high school and it was through his wrestling referee (who was a BJJ enthusiast) that he got to know Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He went to check out a BJJ class and was so captivated by grappling that he signed up in cash for a full year after that first encounter.

Fowler became a dedicated competitor, achieving several podium spots on his way to earning his black belt on August 2005, an achievement that took him only 3 and ½ years, making a statement for Lloyd Irvin’s grappling program, proving that it was not just another bogus marketing plan, but the real deal.

On February 2006, Mike Fowler came to Guam to coach a seminar at Enson Enoe’s Purebred Gym. He ended up moving to the island for good a few weeks after that first meeting, coaching and living full time in Guam for the most part of 3 years.

Also in 2006, controversy struck Fowler and stopped him on his tracks at the World Jiu Jitsu Championships (his first year as a black belt). Mike’s fight with Daniel Moraes was one of the most talked about that year (see video below), as Fowler tried to apply a tight armbar, the former world champion (Moraes) slammed Fowler, a move that is punished in BJJ rules with immediate disqualification, the referee however did nothing and Moraes went through to the next fight. This caused such turmoil that IBJJF (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) was forced to release a statement acknowledging the wrong doing; the fight was also one of the main reasons behind the 3 referee rule applied in current times.

At the Pan American Games in 2010 Fowler was involved in controversy once again after the referee stopped the fight due to a verbal tap, which Fowler claimed to be a mistake.

On March 2012 shocking news was disclosed stating that Mike Fowler was training with the renowned Atos Jiu Jitsu camp, leaving his old team of Lloyd Irvin.