The word “jiu-jitsu” is usually greeted with caution and uncertainty. It’s a foreign art especially to many students at Pepperdine but James Deirmendjian is the driving force behind the Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes that were brought to Pepperdine in the spring of 2010.
Deirmendjian is an alumnus of the University of Southern California and came to Pepperdine after he began working for a law firm in Malibu upon graduation from USC in 2005. It was his boss who gave him the idea to begin a jiu-jitsu class at Pepperdine and Deirmendjian did just that.
“Obviously I had to present it [to Pepperdine administration] in a very favorable light because anything that has anything to do with mixed martial arts is a little taboo at least with the administrators who would allow something like this Deirmendjian explained. I had to assure them that what I have to offer is going to be a service of high quality is going to be very professional and most of all is going to be safe.”
Pepperdine administration approved of Deirmendjian’s proposal and he has since begun heavily promoting the class to many students of the Pepperdine community.
The class offers those who attend the opportunity to learn the basics of jiu-jitsu and practice them on other beginners of the art which is seen by some as beneficial to the aggressive members of the Pepperdine community.
“[Casey Gillham] had the idea that we have had a lot of unruly kids here for the past couple years who have been grappling in the sand and on the grass and it would be good to have a program like this that can direct their enthusiasm in a constructive manner Deirmendjian said.
A number of students took Pepperdine and Deirmendjian up on this offer and provided a pretty good turnout during its first semester.
Last semester we got upwards of 17 people involved which is really exciting because we only had one class but this semester I’ve been trying to scramble and figure out what to do to promote it Deirmendjian said.
Even though many people have potentially heard of the classes, thanks mainly to Facebook and word of mouth, many still lack an understanding of what jiu-jitsu is.
I feel like it’s really important to let people know what jiu-jitsu is all about and the meaning and tradition behind it Deirmendjian said. The word ‘jiu-jitsu’ in Japanese is literally translated as ‘the gentle art’ so the whole idea of the martial art is to use a minimum amount of strength to overcome your opponent and to use your opponent’s force on him.”
Deirmendjian also notes that promoting jiu-jitsu as self-defense could provide a more positive turnout among the female population.
Although he has a wrestling background Deirmendjian has only been practicing jiu-jitsu for the past three years and received his blue belt shortly before training students at Pepperdine. When he isn’t at Pepperdine Deirmendjian’s spends much of his time teaching and training at Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA gym in Westlake Village and as an incentive to Pepperdine students is currently offering a month of free membership at this gym to those who sign up for his class. The class costs $100 for the entire semester and practices are Mondays and Fridays at 3 and 4 p.m. at the Harilela Tennis Stadium.