By 2005, UFC was a sports juggernaut. It had moderated since its “no rules” early days to make the fights more palatable for the general public, improve fighter safety, and comply with regulations. As a result, its audience share skyrocketed beyond the hardcore fans to mass appeal. Stars like Chuck Liddel, Anderson Silva, and later, Ronda Rousey were giving fans of martial arts spectacular matches that showcased the strengths of traditional martial arts when used in combination.
Likewise, the local martial arts community in Arlington was expanding its reach and finding new ways to bring people into martial arts. In 2007, Emerson Doyle, who had long trained under Master Kang at US Taekwondo College, left his position as head instructor to strike out on his own path. Doyle formed the Creative Forms Crew, which performed widely in martial arts tricking competitions, a discipline that combines kicks, flips, and twists in performative forms. Shortly thereafter, he secured space at White Birch Kung Fu to begin to create a comprehensive sanctuary for martial arts. In 2009, Doyle opened EvolveAll, which offers classes in more disciplines than any other martial arts studio in Virginia, including youth martial arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, striking, boxing, Tai Chi, capoeira, and more.
In 2012, Kru Vivek Nakarmi and Diana Nakarmi opened Pentagon MMA with a vision to make MMA more accessible to the community. Based in a former Arlington firehouse off of Columbia Pike, Pentagon MMA offers Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and youth programs.
One year later, Sensei Mike Herway opened Urban Kempo Clarendon. Urban Kempo taught Shaolin Kempo Karate, a hybrid martial art style that combines elements of Shaolin Kung Fu, Kenpo, Karate, and grappling techniques. Urban Kempo prided themselves on strong student-instructor relationships in opposition to a more commercial, franchise model of martial arts schools.
At this point in history, Arlington was home to traditional martial arts schools focused on Taekwondo, Aikido, Kung Fu, and Judo, and an emerging cohort of academies that blended styles and traditions. Beginning with EvolveAll, Pentagon MMA, and Urban Kempo, a generational change was underway in the Arlington martial arts scene which would see some community mainstays close their doors and new training studios open.
In 2016, the Columbia Pike location of Master Kang’s US Taekwondo College, the first true martial arts school in Arlington, closed its doors, though their other Northern Virginia locations remain popular destinations for Taekwondo training. Similarly, Shaolin-Do in West Shirlington closed in 2019, followed by White Birch Kung Fu & Tai Chi in 2020. An offshoot of the school continues in Stow, Ohio. After several years of success, Urban Kempo Clarendon closed in 2024.
A new crop of schools filled the gap. In 2016, Navy veteran Will Pedneau opened American Sport Karate, operating out of the Unitarian Universalist church on Arlington Boulevard. In 2017, former UFC fighter, Kamal Shalorus opened District Martial Arts in Ballston offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Boxing, Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts. Across town in Shirlington, BJJ and Judo Black Belt Victor Vasile Ciocoiu opened Kogaion Academy, home to top-ranked BJJ competitor Beatrice Jin.
In the media, the Kung Fu Panda movies re-introduce kids to the joy, community, and self-confidence that comes from martial arts practice. Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s album DAMN., featured an alter-ego named Kung Fu Kenny, based on concepts from the cult classic 1985 film The Last Dragon. The album won the Grammy for Best Rap Album and Kendrick Lamar was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first musician outside of the classical and jazz genres to receive the award.
The COVID pandemic was particularly hard on martial arts schools, which depend on in-person instruction and a strong sense of community. Many schools, like EvolveAll and Pentagon MMA pivoted online when the world shut down in March 2020. Later, classes met outdoors in Arlington’s parks and in small groups of training partners podded up to continue training together. As the pandemic eased and schools could offer in-person classes again, no one was sure if the audience for close-contact martial arts would return in the same numbers.
Now, the schools that weathered the pandemic are thriving once more. There is a hunger for the real world connection that martial arts training provides. In recent years, even more martial arts schools have opened across Arlington, including Endeavor Martial Arts in Clarendon led by Sensei Sean Broughton in 2023 and Original Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on Langston Boulevard founded by Sandro Silva and Suzanne Brito in 2025.
Martial arts culture is rooted in tradition yet always adapting to the present moment. From its origins in traditional practices developed in specific regions to a global phenomenon with diverse influences and mass appeal, martial arts continues to grow and expand. Traditional styles like Taekwondo, Karate, and Kung Fu remain, and newer practices like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA have gained immense popularity.
There are more martial arts studios and traditions practiced today than at any other time in Arlington’s history. From youth programs to competition training to restorative practices, martial arts has something to offer everyone. Beyond the physical benefits, the community of martial artists in Arlington provides a supportive environment for people to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and find belonging on the mats.
History of Martial Arts in Arlington 1950-1980
History of Martial Arts in Arlington 1980-1990
History of Martial Arts in Arlington 1990-2005
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