Team Curran MMA, also known as Curran Jiu-Jitsu Academy, was founded by Jeff Curran in the summer of 1997. Jeff Curran (born September 2, 1977) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and 5th Degree Black Belt under Master Pedro Sauer.
Mr. Curran is married to his wife Sarah, and together they have two boys, Ty and Jacob. Curran started his path towards mixed martial arts with Karate and Tae Kwon Do when he was five years old. He began Wrestling in the fourth grade and did that until his freshman year when he began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Curran is the president and head instructor of Curran Martial Arts Academy (CMA), and owner and promoter of Xtreme Fighting Organization.
Jeff Curran's MMA History
After the UFC began in 1993, Jeff Curran, who was already training in the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and competing in tournaments, decided to go all in and focus on making a fight career of his own. Jeff graduated in May of 1995 from Woodstock High School at the age of 17 and was traveling the country to seek the best training he could find.
In January of 1996 Jeff’s Dad passed away at the early age of 40. Jeff was 18 years old and decided he would travel to train but remain in his hometown so he can be there for his mom and sister as well as be surrounded by the memories of his dad. At age 19 he opened his very first Gym and began training his own students as an affiliate instructor of his Professor, Pedro Sauer.
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As the years went on Jeff began to travel the world and compete in almost every MMA organization that existed during that time. In January of 2004, Curran was a rising featherweight prospect and ended up getting a chance fight future welterweight champion, Matt Serra, on 7 Days notice in the UFC 46. Although Jeff lost a decision in that fight, he gained worldwide popularity for his fighting style. Curran then fought his way into the TOP 10 for his weight class (145lbs).
In November of 2005 he beat undefeated prospect and Black Belt, Antonio Carvalho, winning a North American Title for Ironheart Crown. Continuing his climb year round, about one year later Jeff would secure another victory over another undefeated standout fighter and Black Belt, Wagney Fabiano, winning another North American title in Canada. Curran was fighting in Japan and all over the world and eventually reached the TOP 5 and signed with the premier organization in the world for the lighter weight classes and UFC owned promotion, the WEC.
Winning his first bought against an undefeated Stephen Ledbetter. Jeff then reached the #1 Ranked spot to face Urijah Faber for the World Title. The world title bout with Urijah Faber marked the middle point of Jeff’s 20 year career of almost 90 total bouts. Jeff dropped down a weight class and was holding his ranking in the Top 10. After losing 3 consecutive decisions at that weight, Jeff was released from the WEC/UFC.
Curran fought 5 consecutive fights in a row, including a 1st round TKO in the UFC owned STRIKEFORCE organization and earned his way back to the UFC where he faced Top 10 Bantamweight Scott Jorgensen and Johnny Eduardo. In August of 2013 Curran faced Pedro Munhoz who was an undefeated Brazilian superstar with a 8-0 record for his 2nd shot at a World Title in the RFA. Munhoz and Curran fought the full 5 rounds of 5 minutes each where Curran would end up losing a split decision.
After fifteen victories in sixteen fights, Curran fought Urijah Faber for the WEC featherweight championship. Faber retained his title by defeating Curran via guillotine choke. After losing four consecutive fights in the WEC, it was announced on October 20, 2009, that Curran had signed a two-fight contract with North American promotion Strikeforce. He made his debut for the organization as a part of the preliminary card on their November 7 event, Strikeforce: Fedor vs.
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Curran faced David Love at XFO 37 on December 4, 2010. Although breaking his right forearm towards the end of the fight, he won the fight by unanimous decision. Curran in July 2011 signed a new multi-fight contract to return to the UFC. His first fight back was against Scott Jorgensen, who was ranked the No. Curran faced Johnny Eduardo on May 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. On April 29, 2013, it was announced that Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) next card would headline Jeff Curran and Sergio Pettis for the inaugural RFA flyweight championship.
Curran announced that he will be featured in a documentary entitled "This is the Fight". It was expected to be released in early fall 2010.
Here's a summary of Jeff Curran's MMA career highlights:
| Event | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| WEC Featherweight Championship | Urijah Faber | Loss (Guillotine Choke) |
| Strikeforce: Fedor vs. | N/A | Debut Fight |
| XFO 37 | David Love | Win (Unanimous Decision) |
| UFC Return | Scott Jorgensen | N/A |
| UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. | Johnny Eduardo | N/A |
| RFA Flyweight Championship | Sergio Pettis | N/A |
Key Figures at Team Curran
Adam is a 4th degree black belt and Professor under Master Pedro Sauer and Prof. Jeff Curran. Adam started training Jiu-Jitsu in 1992 and is proud to be one of the founding members of Team Curran and an original student of MMA Pioneer and Jiu-Jitsu Professor Jeff Curran.
Haanpaa Martial Arts
Darby left his training behind for a season to attend Seminary in Rockford Illinois to become a Pastor. Darby kept training during summer, and winter breaks with his passion in the Martial arts. Not long after graduating Darby Married the girl of his dreams Amanda Allard (now Haanpaa). Instead they decided to bring it to people through martial arts. The joy of his personal development and growth in Fitness and Jiu-Jitsu ignited a dream to build Haanpaa Martial Arts.
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Starting at a wrestling club near the Rockford Airport, Amanda and Darby along with their two little ones (Owen and Lena) started building a school that can positively impact the lives of others through community & martial arts fitness. We have a saying around HMA - “Sic parvis Magna” and it means Greatness comes from small things. Turn your negatives into positives and dig deep inside to find the strength to forge your own path.
Jeff Curran Martial Life: "I Miss Winning"
This is a documentary about the week of Jeff Curran’s 2023 Big Frog BJJ Retreat in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Jeff visits 2 of his friends/teammates academia along the way teaching seminars at each location en route to Cocoa Beach. This film was filmed and produced by Alex Brown, a Pedro Sauer Black belt from Gracie Charlottesville in Virginia. If you have yet to be a part of and attend one of Jeff Curran’s retreats, don’t miss out.