Damien Anderson

Biography

Damien Anderson is an American submission grappler and black belt known for his aggressive, fast-paced no-gi style and his success across professional grappling events. Anderson began his career under Garry Tonon and later trained extensively under John Danaher, emerging as one of the junior members of the Danaher Death Squad with a reputation for dangerous leglocks.

After the split of New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, Anderson became an early member of B-Team Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas, training alongside athletes such as Craig Jones, Nicky Ryan, Jacob Rodriguez, and Nick Rodriguez. He later co-founded Simple Man Martial Arts, established following the dissolution of B-Team. Anderson is also the host of the “Simple Man Podcast,” where he discusses training, competition experiences, and developments within the no-gi community.

In addition to his grappling career, Anderson has transitioned into mixed martial arts, competing in the professional circuit while continuing to train and coach. His combination of strong wrestling entries, leglock mechanics, and relentless forward pressure has made him one of the most active and recognizable athletes to bridge modern no-gi grappling and MMA.

Personal

* Legend status is reserved for retired athletes with outstanding achievements and a lasting impact on the sport.

Rankings