About universal mixed martial arts

Universal Mixed Martial Arts in South Richmond Hill, New York, was built on a simple but powerful belief. Martial arts should be a pathway to a better life. It should help children become confident and disciplined, help teens stay focused and grounded, and help adults strengthen their bodies while gaining a sense of clarity and resilience that carries into every part of daily life. From the beginning, the academy has been committed to creating a space where real growth is possible for anyone who walks through the doors, regardless of age, background, or experience level.

Located at 114-10 Liberty Ave, Universal Mixed Martial Arts serves families throughout South Richmond Hill, Jamaica, Ozone Park, Kew Gardens, and the greater Queens community. The academy has become a trusted name in the area because the instruction is consistent, the environment is positive and structured, and the results are visible in the lives of students. Parents see meaningful changes in their children’s behavior, teenagers discover new confidence and focus, and adults find a training experience that improves fitness while strengthening the mind.

Universal MMA was founded on the belief that martial arts is not just a physical practice. It is a system for personal transformation. The classes here are designed to develop character, emotional resilience, self discipline, respect, and community connection. While the physical training is challenging and rewarding, the mental benefits often matter even more. Students learn how to push themselves through discomfort, how to stay calm under pressure, and how to remain consistent with their goals. These lessons stay with them long after class ends.

Master D. Persaud has been a leading force at Universal Mixed Martial Arts Academy in South Richmond Hill since 2003. For more than twenty years he has dedicated his life to developing students who are confident, disciplined, respectful, and capable in both mind and body. His influence extends far beyond the walls of the academy. Many of the children he trained have grown into successful professionals, business owners, educators, and community leaders across Queens. Their success reflects the strength of his teaching philosophy and the profound impact he has had on generations of students.

From the beginning of his career, Master Persaud has believed that martial arts must be taught in its truest form. To him the essence of the art is rooted in the unity of physical skill and mental strength. He focuses on helping students build bodies that are strong and resilient while nurturing minds that are steady, disciplined, and clear. He teaches that martial arts is a tool that prepares individuals to face adversity with confidence and calm determination. Through this balanced approach students learn how to rise above challenges in school, work, and personal life.

The core of Master Persaud’s teaching philosophy is centered on character. Before a student becomes a martial artist they must first become a good human being. He places great importance on respect, humility, discipline, kindness, patience, and personal responsibility. These values guide every class and shape every decision on the mat. Students learn how to treat others with dignity, how to communicate with confidence, and how to carry themselves with integrity. Families throughout South Richmond Hill have come to value his influence because the lessons he teaches extend into daily behavior and long term personal development.

Master Persaud rejects the idea of limiting a student to a single martial arts style. He believes that a true martial artist should be well rounded and fully capable in every range of combat. Under his instruction students learn how to strike, kick, punch, wrestle, grapple, and defend themselves from multiple positions. He draws from Tae Kwon Do for dynamic kicking, Judo for balance and throws, Karate for traditional striking principles, Boxing for timing and precision, Grappling for ground control, and traditional weapons training for focus, coordination, and concentration. This diverse curriculum provides each student with a complete understanding of martial arts and prepares them to respond effectively in real world situations.

Master Persaud’s teaching goes beyond techniques and physical conditioning. He incorporates lessons on nutrition, exercise, healthy living, personal discipline, and mental resilience. He speaks with students about building healthy habits, strengthening the mind, developing strong social skills, and overcoming the inner obstacles that prevent personal growth. His students learn how to take care of their bodies, how to stay emotionally balanced, and how to approach each day with a sense of purpose and commitment.

Throughout his decades of teaching, Master Persaud has repeated a guiding principle that captures the heart of his philosophy. Martial arts teaches you how to be the best you can be, every day in every way. This message reminds students that excellence is not a single achievement but a lifelong pursuit. Improvement happens through steady effort, patience, focus, and a willingness to grow beyond past limitations. As students progress, they begin to see that the discipline they develop in martial arts naturally extends into all areas of their lives.

Master Persaud has shaped the culture of Universal Mixed Martial Arts through his leadership, consistency, and personal example. He embodies the respect, discipline, and calm strength he teaches. Students of all ages look to him not only as an instructor but as a mentor who genuinely cares about their growth. Parents trust him because they see real changes in their children. Teens rely on his guidance as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. Adults appreciate the clarity, structure, and renewed confidence they gain under his instruction.

His influence has helped Universal Mixed Martial Arts become a respected and trusted training center in South Richmond Hill and throughout Queens. The academy reflects his belief that martial arts should elevate the whole person. It should produce individuals who walk with confidence, treat others with respect, and meet the world with strength and humility. Master Persaud continues to inspire new generations of martial artists who take these values with them wherever they go.

Sensei Johann is a lifelong martial artist, instructor, and mentor who believes that true mastery begins with humility. Like every student who steps onto the mat, he started his journey as a white belt, learning discipline, respect, and perseverance through consistent effort and hard work. That foundation shaped not only his technical skill but his philosophy as an instructor and leader. Through years of dedicated training, teaching, and continued self-development across multiple martial arts disciplines, Sensei Johann has earned numerous achievements both on and off the mat. His experience spans traditional martial arts, modern combat systems, and real-world self-defense, allowing him to teach with depth, precision, and purpose. However, he considers his greatest accomplishments to be the growth, confidence, and success of the students he has guided along the way. Sensei Johann has a deep passion for working with children and young adults. He understands that martial arts is more than kicks, punches, and belts; it is a tool for building strong character. His classes emphasize discipline, accountability, focus, resilience, and respect. While training is engaging and rewarding, he emphasizes that progress requires effort. Martial arts is not all fun and games, and meaningful growth comes from structure, challenge, and consistency. His ultimate goal is to nurture and enrich the minds of the next generation through martial arts, helping students develop confidence, emotional control, leadership skills, and a strong moral compass that extends far beyond the dojo. Sensei Johann takes pride in creating an environment where students are supported, challenged, and inspired to become the best versions of themselves, both on the mat and in everyday life. For Sensei Johann, teaching martial arts is not just a profession; it is a lifelong commitment to shaping strong, capable, and respectful individuals who are prepared to succeed in any path they choose.