Lester Griffin is a martial arts pioneer with over three decades of experience in various disciplines. As the founder of Griffin Martial Arts, he has dedicated his life to mastering and teaching martial arts, helping countless students achieve their goals in both competition and self-defense.
An original member of the prestigious Dog Brothers Stick Fighters under the name "Surf Dog," Lester has earned recognition throughout the martial arts community for his technical expertise and innovative teaching methods. His regular contributions to Black Belt and Inside Kung Fu magazines have helped spread knowledge and insights to martial artists worldwide.
Today, Lester continues to expand his knowledge while sharing his expertise with students at Griffin Martial Arts. His approach combines traditional martial arts values with practical, modern applications, creating well-rounded martial artists prepared for both competition and real-world situations.
Achievements & Experience
- Over 30 years of martial arts experience
- Original member of The Dog Bros Stick Fighters (Dog Brothers)
- Regular UFC and King of the Cage judge
- Featured contributor to Black Belt and Inside Kung Fu magazines
- Certified instructor in multiple martial arts disciplines
- Developed innovative training methodologies
- Trained numerous professional fighters and martial artists
Areas of Expertise
- Jeet Kune Do
- Filipino Kali
- Silat
- Wing Chun Kung Fu
- Savate
- Mixed Martial Arts
- Combat Strategy
Certificates & Qualifications
Memberships & Affiliations
- Dog Brothers Membership
- Chuck Norris Membership Card
- International American Ju-Jitsu Academy Membership
- True Arts Alliance - Membership
- Federation Francaise Membership
- Shorinji Ryu - Ju Jitsu Membership
Instructor Certifications
- Jeet Kune Do Instructor - Level 3
- Dog Brothers Senior Apprentice 1st Year
- Dog Brothers Apprentice Instructor
- PFS - Apprentice Instructor
- True Arts - First Degree Instructor
Belt Rankings & Achievements
- Ju-Jitsu Black Belt
- Ju-Jitsu - 3rd Degree Black Belt
- Ju-Jitsu 1st Degree Black Belt
- SanDan, 3rd Degree Black Belt
- Shaolin Ryn Yellow Belt
Savate Rankings
- Savate - Yellow Glove
- Boxe Francaise - Savante
- Box Francaise - Savante - Red Glove
- Box Francaise - Savante - White Glove
Filipino Martial Arts
- Lakan Guro Level One
- Pukulan Pentjak Silak Serak
Special Recognition
- Dog Brothers Howl
- Hall of Fame 2004 Letter
- Filipino Martial Arts Hall of Fame Letter
- Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2004
Training Certifications
- Long Beach School Diploma
- PFS 1 Day Sensitivity Seminar
- PFS 3 Day Retreat
- PFS Advanced Knife
- PFS Filipino Stick Fighting
- PFS Footwork
- PFS Jeet Kune Do
- PFS JKD Day Speed
- PFS Savate
- American Ju-Jitsu Leg Lock
Martial Arts Journey
2007
- Worked on four Ultimate Fighter Shows for Spike TV Tuff Productions (Jan-Feb)
- Judged WEC on the Vs Channel (Jan 20)
- Guest of the Athletic Commission for UFC 67 Jackson vs Eastman (Feb 3)
- Judged Pride 33 Second Coming - Main event Wanderlei Silva vs Dan Henderson (Feb 24)
- Judged King of the Cage at Laughlin, NV (Mar 10)
- Judged Spike TV Fight Night at The Palms, Las Vegas - Joe Stevenson vs Melvin Guillard (Apr 5)
- Judged Tuff N Nuff Brawl in the Barn at South Point, Las Vegas (Apr 14)
- Judge for WEC at Hard Rock, Las Vegas (May 12)
- Wrote for Gladiator Magazine
- Judged WEC Live at Hard Rock, Las Vegas (Jun 3)
- Judged King of the Cage, Soboba - Thomas Kenny vs Thomas Denny (Jun 8)
- Judged TUF Season 6 for Spike TV (Jun 23)
- Judged WEC at Hard Rock, Las Vegas (Aug 5)
- Hired to California State Athletic Commission (Sept)
- Judged KOC at Avi Casino, Laughlin, NV (Sept 15)
- Judged UFC Fight Night at The Palms, Las Vegas (Sept 19)
- Judged UFC 76 at the Honda Center, Anaheim (Sept 22)
- School moved to bigger premises - 1532 South Santa Fe Ave. unit #301, San Jacinto (Oct)
2006
- Guest of UFC in NV Athletic Commission (Feb 4)
- UFC world middleweight champ judge - Canada vs USA (Mar 4)
- Judged King of the Cage - Don Fry vs Warpath Phoenix (May 14)
- Judged King of the Cage at Soboba (Jun 9)
- Judged Spike Fight Night Finale (Jun 24)
- School celebrated 11 years (Jul)
- Judged King of the Cage at Soboba (Aug 4)
- Judged UFC 62 - Liddell vs Babalu Sobral at Mandalay Bay (Aug 26)
- Guest of California State Athletic Commission at UFC 63 with official judge training (Sept)
- Judged UFC 64 - Franklin vs Anderson Silva at Mandalay Bay (Oct 14)
- Guest of Nevada State Athletics Commission for Pride Fighting's first US show (Oct 21)
- Judged UFC Fight Night Final on Spike TV at Hard Rock Hotel (Nov 11)
- Judged King of the Cage (Dec 1)
- Judged UFC 66 Liddell vs Ortiz (Dec 30)
2005
- School launched website (Jan)
- Judged King of the Cage at Soboba (Mar 20)
- Judged King of the Cage at Buffalo Bills Casino, Primm, Nevada (May)
- Fought in the Dog Brothers Gathering - 'The Pack' (Jun)
- School celebrated 10th year (Jul)
- Turned 45 (Aug 15)
- Judged King of the Cage (Aug 5)
- Judged UFC event (Aug)
- Judged King of the Cage (Oct 14)
- Judged King of the Cage (Dec 2)
2004
- Continued judging King of the Cage - four to five times annually
- Married Janine Dodge after eight years together (Jul)
- Daughter Courtney Viola Griffin born - 7 1/2 lbs (Dec 23)
2003
- Received NEVADA STATE LICENSE from the Athletic Commission to judge
- Judged King of the Cage in Reno (Aug 16)
- Judged two more events at Soboba
- Celebrated eighth year Anniversary of Griffin Martial Arts
2001
- Judged King of the Cages 'Wet and Wild' (Feb)
- Received 3rd degree Black Belt in American Ju Jitsu under Dave Tice and Steve Crawford (Apr)
- Judged King of the Cage #9 (Jun)
- Judged King of the Cage #10 (Aug)
- Judged King of the Cage #11 (Sept)
- Back up fighter for extreme pankration (Nov 11)
- Worked on High Performance Kickboxing video series
- Celebrated 6th year Anniversary of Griffin Martial Arts
2000
- Judged King of the Cage #2 (Feb)
- Received 1st degree Black Belt in American Ju Jitsu under Dave Tice (Feb)
- Student Jim Abrille sets quickest heel hook record in King of the Cage history - 37 seconds (Apr)
- Judged King of the Cage #4 (Jun)
- Judged King of the Cage #5 (Sept)
- Son Tyler Lester Griffin born - 9 1/2 lbs (Oct 10)
1997
- Received yellow glove in Savate under Nicolas Saignac
- Received Level 3 Instructor certification in Jeet Kune Do Unlimited under Burton Richardson (Dec)
- Received 3rd degree Black Belt in Shorinji Ryu Jujitsu under Kenneth Lyle Penland
- Received Senior Lakan Guro Level 3 under Marc Denny
- Received Lakan Guro under Dan Inosanto
1996
- Assisted Marc Denny in a seminar in Italy with over 500 people
- Received basic Purple Belt from John Machado
1995
- Received First Level Instructor certification under Burton Richardson in JKD Concepts, Kali/Silat, and Muay Thai
- Opened first school in Hemet, CA (Jul)
1994
- Traveled to Philippines with Burton Richardson and trained with Grandmaster Antonio 'TaTang' Ilustrisimo
- Received basic Blue Belt from John Machado
- First Dog Brother to stick fight in the ring
1993
- Became a Dog Brother stick fighter - received nickname 'Surf Dog'
- Began training with Marshall Ho in Tai Chi
1992
- Received white glove in Savate under Salem Assli (Jan)
- Began training with Burton Richardson in Long Beach
1991
- Received Instructor certification in Jeet Kune Do Concepts from Paul Vunak (Nov)
- Received red and bronze glove in Savate under Salem Assli (May)
1990
- Continued study with Namfa Lot
- Received Muay Thai diploma from United Kickboxing Association
- Trained in Cambodian Kickboxing and MUAY KHMER under Omray Ban
1989
- Met Marc Denny at Thai fights in Anaheim
- Started training with Marc Denny
- Trained with Dean Nubling in Judo
1988
- Began training at Long Beach Kickboxing under Omray Ban
- Trained with Dean Nubling, Namfa Lot, and Kit Young
1986
- Started training JKD Concepts with Paul Vunak
- Studied wing chun under Jerry McKinley
1983
- Began Kung Fu under Richard Tism in Long Beach
- Studied Wing Chun, Hun Gar and Pak Qi
1976
- Obtained a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do
- Continued martial arts practice while pursuing professional surfing
1973
- Transitioned to Chuck Norris chain after Mike Stone's school closed
- Purchased first pair of throwing knives
1971
- Began Karate with Mike Stone
- Met Bruce Lee at the 'Four Seasons' tournament in Long Beach
1968
- First interest in martial arts sparked by watching 'Wild, Wild, West' and 'Green Hornet'
What Our Students Say
Tito Ortez
UFC Champion
"Lester's kickboxing tapes are great!"
Laura V.
"Great training, with great environment."
Dog Brothers
"Lester Griffin (Surf Dog) has fought in over 30 Dog Brother stick fights, is one of the original Dog Brother's, one of 12 and made Dog Brother in 1993!"
Train with Lester Griffin
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