About Tactical BJJ
Richard Norton and the Discovery of BJJ
Richard Norton
Among those captivated by this evolving art was Richard Norton, a formidable Australian bodyguard and global martial arts movie industry icon. Norton was the co-founder of Zen do Kai Freestyle Karate with Bob Jones (an early MMA system) and a lifelong student and prolific teacher of combat. By the late 1980s, Richard had already achieved mastery in Karate, kickboxing, multiple martial arts and Japanese Kobudo weapons systems. His incredible abilities saw him move from being a bodyguard to music industry A-listers, to the silver screen from Hong Kong to Hollywood.
Multi-disciplinary Mastery
During his years working and training alongside Chuck Norris in the United States, Richard was introduced to Rorian Gracie, Renzo Gracie and Rickson Gracie, with Rickson widely regarded as one of the greatest Jiu-Jitsu practitioners of all time.
Richard Norton and The Machado Brothers
That meeting in the 80's would profoundly shape the next 35+ year chapter of Richard’s martial arts journey. Soon after, Richard began training under the Machado brothers, becoming one of the early adopters and practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States.
Around this time Richard introduced Australian Martial Arts pioneer John B. Will to Rorian Gracie, with John going on to train in Brazil and form his own strong connection in Jiu Jitsu through Rigan and the Machado brothers.
Richard Norton Winning Pan Am Gold in Hawaii
Richard Introduces Chuck Norris to The Machados
In a pivotal moment in martial arts history, Richard personally introduced the Machado brothers to his friend Chuck Norris, a connection that helped the Machados establish themselves as leading BJJ instructors outside Brazil. Their influence and passion for the art of Jiu-Jitsu would spread rapidly across America, Hollywood, and the wider martial arts community... with Richard playing a key role in bridging that world.
Over time, Richard earned his 6th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, alongside his many other black belt ranks in Zen Do Kai, Goju Karate, Chuck Norris' Chun Kuk Do, and Benny "The Jet" Urquidez unique style of Ukidokan Kickboxing. Richard would also later go on to become co-founder of The Tactical Mixed Martial Arts Association with Jeremy Ta'kody. For more on Richard Norton Click Here.
Richard continued to have a prolific career in the movie industry, training many of Hollywood's A listers and working on over 90 films as an actor, fight choreographer, 2nd unit director and stunt co-ordinator.
Richard’s approach to martial arts was always holistic... blending incredible traditional skill and insight with modern combative understanding, mental focus, and the science of human performance. His reputation as a world-class martial artist, body guard, teacher, and film industry legend made him a true ambassador of BJJ and martial arts as a whole.
The Birth of Tactical BJJ
Jeremy Ta’kody first met Richard Norton in the mid-1990s while training under John B. Will, one of Richard’s long-time close friends. A multi-style black belt, lifelong martial artist, mentor, and coach with extensive experience in the security industry, Jeremy later became the editor of Blitz Martial Arts Magazine and International Kickboxer Magazine and went on to build BlackBelt Digital Video and run several successful martial arts schools.
Jeremy reconnected with Richard in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the two began training together whenever Richard’s film work and teaching schedule allowed. After several years of collaboration, they co-founded the Tactical Mixed Martial Arts Association (TMMA). Their shared vision was to integrate the techniques and principles of multiple disciplines: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Shootfighting, Karate, and reality-based self-defence... into unified systems and curriculums that served both martial arts professionals and everyday practitioners seeking true functional skill.
Together, they developed comprehensive curriculums across MMA, including reality-based street Combatives, Muay Thai, fitness boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
TMMA also carries a deep philosophical foundation rooted in warrior wisdom, particularly through The 7 Elements (7 Attentions Method), an ancient framework echoed in the teachings of legendary martial artists such as Miyamoto Musashi.
Working alongside them was George Adams a lifelong martial artist, whose deep network within martial arts and law enforcement circles helped Richard establish the foundation of what would become Team Norton BJJ. Through George’s connections and Richard’s far-reaching influence, the Team Norton BJJ association grew organically... not through marketing or commercial intent, but through a shared passion for martial arts and the spirit of respect, loyalty, and the pursuit of personal mastery.
Those who joined Team Norton were often long-time friends and past students of Richard, or martial artists who had admired Richard's ability, integrity and depth for decades. Team Norton became less an organization and more a brotherhood... a collective of passionate instructors and practitioners united by the martial arts lifestyle and Richard’s example both on and off the mat.
As co-founder of Tactical MMA, Jeremy was one of the founding Black Belts of Team Norton BJJ, training under Richard for over two decades and helping to shape the evolution of the Mixed Martial Arts and BJJ in Australia.
When Richard Norton passed unexpectedly on March 28, 2025, his fans, students and peers around the world felt the weight of the loss deeply.
After Richard's passing, Team Norton BJJ was renamed Tactical BJJ Association... as per Richard's wishes, ensuring that Richard's teachings, spirit, and philosophy would live on.
Tactical BJJ continues that lineage... a living embodiment of Richard’s vision, blending combat effectiveness with personal development.
As Richard's highest graded student, and Co-Founder of Tactical MMA, Jeremy took on the role of Technical Director, and George Adams Chairman for Tactical BJJ.
Today, Tactical BJJ stands as a bridge between the wisdom, philosophy and skill of the samurai of ancient Japan, the pioneers of Brazil and the modern martial artists who now carry the torch forward.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Tactical BJJ stands as a tribute to the mentors and masters who came before... from Maeda to the Gracies, from the Machados to Richard Norton, and now to a new generation of martial artists led by Jeremy Ta’kody, George Adams and a growing number of highly skilled Certified Tactical BJJ Association Black Belts.
The art of Jiu Jitsu continues to evolve, guided by the same principles that have defined it for over a century:
Focus on What Matters.
Leverage over Strength.
Technique over Force.
Discipline over Ego.
Never Settle for Mediocrity, and most importantly... the unbreakable bond of respect that links teacher and student, as a powerful shared community for generations to come.
Explore Our BJJ & MMA Online Training Programs
Discover a range of Martial Arts Programs tailored for all ages and skills, from empowering BJJ programs, Fitness Boxing, Muay Thai, to advanced adult MMA training and specialized Self-Defense & Combatives workshops.