Reaction MMA is a mixed martial arts school led by Professor Rob Nickerson III. Located not far from Lexington's Fayette Mall, Reaction sits in an industrial park directly off Nicholasville Rd. just a short drive past Brannon Crossing in Nicholasville, KY.
We are a serious mixed martial arts school where both adults and kids learn and train effective fight skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, boxing and MMA. Not all of our fighters compete, but many of them do. Not everyone who trains competes but will learn the same effective skills for real world self defense, as well improve physical conditioning. Reaction MMA has some of the most successful and top ranked pro and amateur MMA fighters in the state of Kentucky.
We also have fighters who compete in various grappling competitions ( NAGA, Grappler’s Quest, OGC, EGO), Muay Thai and kickboxing events ( IKF ), and Boxing competitions (AAU, Golden Gloves, Silver Gloves). Reaction MMA has produced fighters that train in many well-established organizations such as King of the Cage, XFC, RFA, UFC, and a plethora of local shows.
Instructors
Reaction MMA is fortunate to have a wide variety of individuals on the mat on a daily basis; and that includes a number of upper-ranked instructors/coaches. All of which have competition credentials at the highest level includingthe IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation). All Reaction MMA Black belts are IBJJF medalist with Prof. Rob being a multiple grand slam medalist, Prof. Inacio and Coach Kristin also Grand Slam medalist. Reaction MMA is one of the only IBJJF certified academies in the state.
One of Kentucky’s first female black belts, Coach Kristin Ford also works side-by-side with Head instructor Third degree Black belt Prof. Rob Nickerson. Who is flanked by Prof. Inacio Dos Santos to assist with instruction. With help coming from very knowledgeable sources who continue to seek the best in our field to learn from.
Professor Rob Nickerson III
3rd degree black belt
Prof. Nickerson holds a 3rd degree black belt under Professor Jorge Gurgel through Master Sazinho Sa of SAS Team. He is a 24 year student and veteran of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and has competed, or trained in Boxing for nearly 27 years. Competed in nearly 20 mma bouts amateur and professional combined with only 3 losses. Prof. Rob still finds enjoyment out of training side by side his students as he prepares them for countless competitions. Professor Rob Nickerson III began training boxing at the age of twelve. It was in 1999 when he began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu first under a Carlson Gracie black belt. With mma still in its infancy it was during this time, Rob began to apply his mainstream sport experience to BJJ and MMA training often running his own camps. Applying a trial and error approach to his own career helped him develop a better training process for future students. It was in 2006 while traveling to train under SAS team Black Belt, UFC and Strikeforce vet Prof. Jorge Gurgel. That Rob was inspired and found guidance to better understand the intricacies and conceptual side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rob competed in all realms of martial arts. From grappling tournaments, boxing, kickboxing and mma fights. Earning a winning record in all forms of competition at both the amateur as well professional level. Earning his Black Belt in 2013 Master Sazinho Sa/Jorge Gurgel > Rob Nickerson continues to compete. Medaling at tournaments such as; IBJJF, Arnold classic, Naga, Gokor, etc. Professors Rob’s passion however is in coaching, his focus has for many years been more about the development of his students. He believes in the team. As the owner of Reaction MMA their fight team has built a 158 win verse 42 loss overall fight record (as of Jan. 24). Reaction MMA BJJ team has taken home numerous team championships (AGF,NAGA,Newbreed,Fuiji, IBJJF) as well the past few years with the youth team placing in the top 3 regularly.
Black Belt BJJ accomplishments
54X IBJJF medalist
29x IBJJF Open champion
2023 IBJJF Worlds Bronze Medalist
2022 IBJJF PANs No-Gi Bronze medalist
ADCC 2022 Las Vegas Open Bronze medalist
3X IBJJF American Nationals silver medalist
3x Black Belt Open weight class Champion (champion of the other weight division’s medalist and champions)
2021 IBJJF No- Gi season Top 10 Ranking 7th Ranked M2 Black Belt Super Heavy
2022 IBJJF No-Gi Season Champion Ranked #1 M2 Black Belt SuperHeavy
2023 IBJJF No-Gi Season Champion Ranked #1 M2 Black Belt SuperHeavy
2023 IBJJF Top #3 overall ranked black belt (ranked 3 of 951 ranked black belt competitors)
2022 IBJJF Chicago Open Champion (both division and open weight class gold)
2022 IBJJF Charleston Open Champion (both division and open weight class gold)
2023 IBJJF Nashville Open Champion (both division and open weight class gold)
Coach to 16 IBJJF grand slam medalist since 2020 (PAN’s/World’s)
Coach Kristin Ford
Black Belt
Coach Kristin one of Kentucky”s first ever female Black belts, as well one of the most accomplished. Competing in Gi as well as no-gi. Holds gi and no-gi wins over some of the best in the world as well a 2020 IBJJF PANs bronze medalist. Some big wins at brown belt submitting ADCC medalist at the Nashville IBJJF, beating the number one ranked brown belt no-gi competitor in the world at Charlotte Open in 2022. Then at black belt earning silver (gi) and bronze (no-gi) at American Nationals 2023.Coach Kristin helps with the Youth program as well heads up our 7 and under program. Starting BJJ in 2009, she earned her black belt end of 2022 after 13 years of consistency and hard work. She competed at every rank multiple times testing her abilities and using competition as another tool to grow both as a athlete as well a coach.
Accolades
IBJJF PANs Bronze medalist
2x IBJJF American Nationals Meadlist (silver,bronze)
17x IBJJF medalist
IBJJF Charlotte Open no-gi open weight class champion
3X IBJJF Open Champion
IBJJF top 10 ranked (6th) no-gi brown belt 2022 season
NAGA Champion, Fuiji Medalist,
Professor Jose Inacio Dos Santos
First Degree Black Belt
Professor Inacio comes to Reaction MMA by way of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Inacio Dos Santos, was born in Lencois Paulista, Sao Paulo - Brazil in 1998 and started his Jiu jitsu journey at 7 years Old
alongside with his Father Decio Dos Santos under Professor Andre Andrade Rabiola.
Inacio started competing young in Brazil winning state and regional tournaments in Sao Paulo state. After he got promoted to purple belt he moved to U.S. in 2017 pursuing his dreams to compete and teach Brazilian jiu jitsu. He earned his black belt in 2018.
Inacio's style is extremely passionate, motivated, competitive, patient and builds off a solid understanding of technique and position, truly utilizing the foundation that Jiu jitsu is a `gentle art`.
Accolades
25x IBJJF Open champion (black belt)
41x IBJJF medalist (purple-black belt)
9x IBJJF open weight class champion (black Belt)
IBJJF PANs Bronze medalist 2017 Brown Belt
IBJJF PANs SIlver Medalist 2023 Adult Black belt
3rd Ranked Ultra Heavyweight IBJJF 2022-2023 season
10th ranked overall adult black belt 2023
