Aries BJJ Head Coach/ instructor

• 3rd Degree Black Belt, Carlson Gracie, Jr.

• D1 Collegiate Wrestler, NCAA Qualifier 3X

• All-State Wrestler Illinois 2X

• IBJJF Gold 2X 

• MMA Corner/ Trainer (2014-2022)

ARIES Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brings a welcoming and instructive environment where all things grappling can be learned! We are owned and operated by Malik Elliott and his wife Evangelina. Evangelina 'Nina' is a blue belt under Black Belt Armando Reyna and currently training for her purple. 

Head Coach Malik Elliott knows how to design program to optimize technique, cardio capacity and competitive performance.  

As a teen, he wrestled with the Harvey Twisters powerhouse before competing at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago. A four-year starter in college, he graduated from Boston University with a dual degree.  

Following stints as a volunteer wrestling coach, Malik started brazilian jiu-jitsu at the original Carlson Gracie Jr. academy in Old Town(Chicago).  Under Carlson Gracie Jr. and the amazing talent of that room, he won the IBJJF twice and competed in countless tournaments throughout the Midwest. Malik still found time to test his skills in mixed martial arts fighting twice, winning both via submission.

WHERE WE TRAIN 

We are located in Evergreen Park near the corner of 103rd and Kedzie Avenue. The academy is blocks from Evergreen Park Community High School and a quarter-mile from Central Middle School.

WHO WE TRAIN

We train adults and youth starting at 8 years of age. Our athletes range from those seeking to develop grappling knowledge to athletes committed to competing in the gi and no-gi circuit.

HOW WE TRAIN

Each class is structured to provide multiple options for every attack and to hone your reaction time. A typical class training blends wrestling, judo concepts and submission awareness.  The student will gain a broad grappling foundation while the athlete will develop a game to succeed in competition.