Ashiek Ajim
Fully developed as a fighter within Long Island MMA, Ashiek Ajim is a professional MMA fighter, Dana White's Contender Series veteran, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Gregg DePasquale and Brian Michelino. One of Long Island MMA's most technically complete coaches, he teaches at both locations, bringing a modern approach to connecting striking, wrestling, and grappling into one adaptable MMA game.
Modern MMA Experience Brought Directly Into Coaching
Ashiek's background spans every major phase of mixed martial arts. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, professional MMA fighter, and veteran of Dana White's Contender Series — one of the most competitive proving grounds in the sport.
What makes Ashiek particularly valuable as a coach is the completeness of his technical game. He understands striking and grappling at a high level and, more importantly, understands how those disciplines change when they have to work together inside MMA.
His coaching reflects the same modern approach he brings to competition: dynamic movement, stance changes, technical adaptability, and the ability to transition naturally between striking, wrestling, and grappling as situations develop. Despite the level he's competed at, Ashiek keeps his classes approachable and light-hearted, making high-level knowledge feel accessible rather than intimidating.
The goal isn't to become a striker who can grapple or a grappler who can strike. It's learning how to make every part of the game work together.
Build an Adaptable Game
Ashiek emphasizes modern MMA concepts that allow athletes to remain effective as positions, ranges, and opponents change. Rather than viewing each discipline separately, his approach focuses on connecting skills into a complete fighting system.
Strike From Multiple Looks
Ashiek teaches dynamic striking and stance switching, helping athletes become comfortable attacking and defending from both orthodox and southpaw positions.
Connect the Disciplines
Striking, wrestling, and grappling are taught with an understanding of how each phase creates opportunities for the next rather than treating them as isolated skill sets.
Adapt in Real Time
High-level MMA requires athletes to recognize what an opponent is giving them and adjust. Ashiek develops the technical versatility needed to change approaches without losing structure.
Striking, Grappling & Complete MMA Development
Ashiek's technical range allows him to help athletes understand not only individual disciplines, but how those skills connect during live MMA and grappling situations.
Mixed Martial Arts
Learn to combine dynamic striking, wrestling, takedowns, grappling, positional control, and live decision-making into one complete and adaptable MMA game.
Explore the MMA Program →Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
As a BJJ black belt, Ashiek brings advanced positional knowledge, submissions, transitions, control, and problem-solving into both pure grappling and MMA contexts.
Explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu →No-Gi Grappling
Develop movement, control, wrestling transitions, submissions, positional awareness, and adaptability in a fast-moving grappling environment.
Explore Grappling Classes →High-Level Knowledge Without Making It Inaccessible
One of Ashiek's strengths is being able to bring advanced technical knowledge into the room without making every class feel like it is designed only for professional fighters.
Beginners
Ashiek is able to break complex techniques into simpler, understandable concepts while maintaining a positive, approachable training environment for newer students.
Developing Fighters
Athletes building toward competition benefit from Ashiek's ability to connect striking, wrestling, and grappling and identify how technical choices change inside MMA.
Advanced Athletes
More experienced fighters can work on sophisticated concepts including stance changes, transitions, timing, adaptability, and developing answers against different styles of opponent.
A Complete Fighter With a Modern Coaching Mindset
Ashiek's coaching perspective comes directly from high-level competition and years of developing a complete game across striking, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Dana White's Contender Series Veteran
Ashiek competed on Dana White's Contender Series, bringing experience from one of the most important proving grounds for fighters pursuing the UFC.
Professional MMA Fighter
His professional career gives Ashiek firsthand experience applying striking, wrestling, grappling, preparation, and strategy under real competitive pressure.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
Ashiek earned his black belt under Gregg DePasquale and Brian Michelino and brings advanced grappling knowledge into both BJJ and MMA instruction.
Modern Technical Approach
His coaching emphasizes dynamic striking, stance switching, smooth transitions, and the ability to blend every phase of MMA into a coherent game.
Develop a More Complete Martial Arts Game
Whether you're beginning martial arts or developing toward serious competition, train in an environment where striking, wrestling, grappling, and MMA are taught as parts of one complete system.