Frank is a martial artist with ranks in various disciplines:

- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt 4°degree, recognized by the JJGF (Rickson Gracie)

- Mastro Defence System (M.D.S.) - Instructor "Level 4"

- Karate Kyokushin Budokai All-Round Fighting black belt 3°dan, recognized par the IBK

- Karate Shyto Ryu black belt 1°dan

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Skills 

- BJJ black belt certified by the Masters Council (Brazil)

- Certified Jiu-Jitsu Instructor (by Grand Master Flavio Behring)

- Official M.D.S. representative for the UAE

- Official IBK Kyokushin Budokai A.R.F. representative for Abu Dhabi

- Bachelor's degree in Physical Education

- Kettlebell Coach (certified by NESTA)

- Police Instructor in violence control

- Certified Sport Nutrition Coach​

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​Jiu-Jitsu

Frank trained directly under Grand Master Flavio Behring, one of the last living legends who learned from Helio Gracie, the founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. For more than 15 years, he was the official European representative of Grand Master Behring, passing on a pure and traditional form of Jiu-Jitsu focused on precision, efficiency, and respect for its roots.

 

A seasoned competitor, Frank has earned several national and international titles in both BJJ and grappling. In 2011, he became the first Belgian to receive his black belt certification from the Council of Grand Masters in Brazil, a historic milestone for European Jiu-Jitsu.

 

Alongside his martial arts journey, Frank served 25 years with the Brussels Police, including six years as an instructor at the Police Academy, teaching lawful control and ground-fighting techniques. His expertise has been requested by elite units such as the Federal Police Special Units (DSU), NATO, the U.S. Embassy, and the European Commission.

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Mastro Defence System

In the early 2000s, during a police training course, Frank met Fred Mastro, founder of the Mastro Defence System (MDS). Impressed by the system’s realism and effectiveness, he became one of its most dedicated practitioners and later introduced Fred Mastro to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, showing the natural link between both arts.

 

In 2020, after twenty years of continuous practice, Frank was promoted to Level 4 — the highest rank in MDS, personally awarded by Fred Mastro. Recognized for his expertise in ground techniques, Frank now leads the Ground Techniques Division within the MDS organization.

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Karate

Frank began practicing martial arts at the age of 13 with Shito-Ryu Karate, earning his first black belt after seven years of training. He then moved toward more realistic, full-contact styles such as Kyokushinkai and later Kyokushin Budokai, a complete system that blends Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, and self-defense.

 

In 2023, he was promoted to 3rd Dan Black Belt in Kyokushin Budokai All-Round Fighting Karate by Hanshi Eric Van Vaerenbergh (8th Dan), a direct student of the legendary Jon Bluming, founder of the style.

 

Frank’s teaching across all disciplines reflects one consistent philosophy: 

authenticity, efficiency, and respect for the true martial spirit.

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BJJ & Grappling Compétitions : 

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- Champion Groundmaster IV – Erpe-Mere – OPEN Class – 2013

- Champion Groundmaster IV – Erpe-Mere – Senior Heavy Weight – 2013

- Champion Ground-Fight – Herne – OPEN Class – 2012

- Champion Ground-Fight – Herne – Heavy weight – 2012

- 2° +85kg (Advanced class) in the 7° Belgian BJJ Open 2007 (Spartakiades 7) – 2007

- 3° -85kg IBJJF EUROPEAN BJJ CUP 2006 (Master – Purple Belt) – Lisbon (Portugal) – 2006

- 3° -90kg King of the Beach (Belgian West-Coast Open GRAPPLING) – 2005

- 3° -91kg (Advanced class) in the 5° Belgian BJJ Open 2005 (Spartakiades 5) – 2005

- 2° -88kg Open Championship Luxemburg of Grappling – 2004

- 2° -85kg (Advanced class) in the 3° Belgian BJJ Open 2003 (Spartakiades 3) – 2003

- Champion -86kg Open Holland BJJ – 2003

- 2° -80kg in the B.I.G. 3 (Brussels Intl° Grappling) – 2002

- Champion +91kg in the 1st Belgian BJJ Open 2001 (Spartakiades) – 2001

- 2° Absolute Class in the 1st Belgian BJJ Open 2001 (Spartakiades) – 2001

- 3° -91kg in the 1st Belgian BJJ Open 2001 (Spartakiades) – 2001

- 3° -90kg in the 2d Open Intl° Grappling of Paris – 2001

- 3° -91kg in the French BJJ OPEN – 2001

- 2° in the B.I.G. (Brussels Intl° Grappling) – 2000