Owner & Coach

Adam Kaufman began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2013 during the off-season from rugby. What started as a way to stay active in the winter quickly turned into something much more. After years of balancing rugby in the spring and summer with Jiu-Jitsu in the colder months, Adam made the decision to transition fully into Jiu-Jitsu — committing himself to the art and the lifestyle that comes with it.

Outside of the academy, Adam is a proud husband and father. His family is his foundation — grounding him, sharpening his perspective, and fueling the passion he brings to both his training and leadership.

Today, Adam is a proud black belt under Professor Joe Thomas, a milestone that reflects years of dedication, discipline, and continuous growth on the mats. Unlike many practitioners, Adam didn’t come from a traditional martial arts background — Jiu-Jitsu was his first. But what he lacked in prior experience, he made up for with work ethic and passion.

On the mats, Adam has a particular appreciation for ankle locks and collar chokes — techniques that reflect both precision and control. As a coach, what he loves most is watching students develop their own game. There’s nothing better, in his eyes, than seeing someone take the foundations they’ve been taught, blend it with their own discoveries, and build something uniquely theirs.

To someone nervous about starting, Adam’s perspective is grounded and reassuring:

"There is a place in Jiu-Jitsu for everyone. The intensity you bring into the room will be matched by your training partners. Whether you’re looking to train recreationally, improve your fitness, learn self-defense, or pursue competition, the right environment makes all the difference."

As both a coach and co-owner, Union Jiu-Jitsu represents far more than a martial arts academy to Adam. It’s the realization of a vision — a space that intertwines physical fitness, positive mental health, martial arts, self-defense, individual growth, and a strong team culture. From the very beginning, the goal was to create a clean, comfortable, welcoming, and supportive place to train.

While the focus will always be Jiu-Jitsu, what truly sets Union JJ apart, in Adam’s view, is the community and the facility itself. The culture that has been built inside those walls — where people feel safe, challenged, and supported — is what makes Union special.

For Adam, Union isn’t just where he trains. It’s where vision meets purpose, and where a team continues to grow together — on and off the mats.