How internal rivalries shape the world's most elite mixed martial arts academy
In short: Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque is a powerhouse of champions, but its success breeds friction. When elite fighters from the same gym are booked to face each other, the academy must choose a side, often leading to high-profile departures and deep-seated tensions within its walls.
Founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the academy has evolved significantly since its origins. In 1992, Greg Jackson established his own martial art, Gaidojutsu, which integrates elements of boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling with Judo joint locks. While the school officially transitioned into a mixed martial arts institution in 2000, it gained widespread notoriety in 2005 when Diego Sanchez won the first season of The Ultimate Fighter.
The modern iteration of the academy was formed in 2007 through a partnership between Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, a former professional kickboxer with a 25–7–2 record and a Muay Thai world champion. While the facility has been recognized by various magazines as one of the premier MMA gyms globally, its scale has created complex logistical and ethical dilemmas, particularly when its own fighters are matched against one another in professional bouts.
These internal conflicts have driven away major stars. In 2011, Rashad Evans left the gym after it chose to corner Jon Jones—another academy member—for his fight against Evans at UFC 145. Evans felt the gym favored younger talent over veteran fighters. Similarly, in 2018, Donald Cerrone departed to open his own ranch-based training center after a dispute regarding coaching focus between himself and newcomer Mike Perry. The academy has also faced significant challenges, such as the October 2021 ban of Jon Jones following his arrest for domestic violence against his fiancée.
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