Kali Academy of Mixed Martial Arts is a renowned establishment led by Sifu Bud Thompson, a certified instructor under the legendary Dan Inosanto, who was directly certified by Bruce Lee himself. The academy prides itself on a practical and efficient approach to self-defense, focusing on real-life scenarios involving weapons. Unlike traditional martial arts schools, Kali Academy does not use a belt system, allowing each student to progress at their own challenging pace and emphasizing individual growth.
Sifu Bud Thompson’s expertise in Kali has earned him global recognition, including an induction into the Pugilist Hall of Fame in 2010. With a unique teaching style that prioritizes the individual, students at Kali Academy benefit from a curriculum that blends foundational principles with advanced concepts. As third-generation disciples of Bruce Lee and second-generation pupils of Grand Guro Dan Inosanto, students can take pride in their martial arts heritage and the rich lineage that the academy represents.
At Kali Academy, students are exposed to a comprehensive mixed martial arts training program that covers various combat ranges, including kicking, boxing, trapping, grappling, ground techniques, and weaponry. The academy’s focus on efficiency and adaptability is rooted in the philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, the martial art created by Bruce Lee. Head instructor Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson, who met Bruce Lee and Dan Inosanto in 1965, continues to pass on this legendary art as an authentic second-generation Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do instructor, embodying the academy’s commitment to embracing what is useful, rejecting what is useless, and adding what is uniquely one’s own.