Our Martial Arts Story
Founded as Bateman Taekwondo in 1969...
A "Pioneer of Martial Arts in America" and a pre-MMA era mixed martial artist in his own right, my father began his training in the 1950's. He would go on to train with the Republic of Korea Army and to teach U.S. Army Combatives to Allied Forces in Vietnam.
Unique in his time, he earned recognition in Kyokushin Karate, Hapkido, Judo and Western Boxing in addition to being a Western pioneer of Taekwondo which he Introduced to Alabama in 1969. Throughout the next decade he would train thousands of civilians, state & federal law enforcement officers, and soldiers. This continued until 1979 when he retired from the public eye to raise a family and pursue pastoral & mission work. He continued offering private instruction and consultation for the remainder of his life.
In the mid 80's I began my training under his watchful eye and was later joined by my younger brothers. We would go on to earn our Black Belts and Instructor Certifications in different arts thus beginning a next generation of students for my father's lineage!
Taekwondo & Combat Sports - Team NXG
Inspired by my father's diverse training, I began the study of Muay Thai for many years under Kru Som (Muay Lao). Additionally, I received an early introduction to grappling through a Sambo / Judo study group in the 1990s.
By the turn of the millennium, my brothers and I were actively competing and offering seminar instruction where we noticed a diminishing standard and also a visible lack of diversity in most gyms across the region. This set us on a mission to re-introduce our fathers teachings, and to do so without regard for race, religion, or national origin as my father had done decades earlier.
Coining ourselves "Team NXG" as the Next Generation who would carry our father's legacy, we ultimately reached an international platform in Taekwondo, competing in world level events including the Inaugural International Goodwill Championships, and the Taekwondo World Pioneer's Cup.
These successes culminated in the re-opening of Bateman Taekwondo & Combat Sports (2009) as we also began competing in MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions. Later in 2013 we added a full Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA program with support from Prof. Mike Yanez of Highlander MMA / Team Pablo Popovitch.
It is under this leadership that I would earn my own BJJ Black Belt in 2021 directly from Prof. Michael Yanez (a Pablo Popovitch BB).
NXG COMBAT SPORTS (2016 - Present)
With over 30 years of my own martial arts experience, and with my Dad's blessing, our academy expanded to more fully express the totality of our knowledge and vision for the future.
To better express our collective experiences while maintaining respect for our roots, we rebranded as NXG COMBAT SPORTS.
With the addition of a second full-time academy, an international affiliate, and satellite programs, our Montgomery location has now become the administrative headquarters of the
NXG COMBAT SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
We continue on our mission to honor the legacy of those who paved the way for us, and to give respect to each culture and combat art that has contributed to our own journey.
Daehan Taekwondo Ohdokwan, Kru Som Muay Lao, Brandon Love Kosen Judo and Popovitch Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In Loving Memory of C. M. Bateman (1947-2016)