As a child, Eric Van Vaerenbergh was fascinated with Bruce Lee's energy and fighting spirit. At just 11 years of age, it was this that motivated him to take up Shotokan Karate.  Seven years later, then a first degree black belt, he began National Service with the Para-Commandos as a non commissioned officer.  During his time in the army, Eric continued his martial arts training, focusing primarily on close quarter combat.

 

Upon completion of his service he resumed his Shotokan (semi/non-contact karate) training.  Later, he took up Budokai-do, a full contact system of Karate based on Kyokushin.

 

During his twelve years of Budokai training, Eric also studied and practised Kickboxing and Muay Thai under Noël Van Den Heuvel, the four times World Muay Thai Champion. In addition, he studied (Western) Boxing with Patrick Roels, a man who holds a combined record of 173 full contact and boxing matches.

 

In 1999, as coach of the Belgian National Full Contact Karate Team and with many years experience of running a dojo and practising multiple arts, Eric decided to make training in Mixed Martial Arts available under one roof.  He founded the Ronin Mixed Martial Arts Schools and continues to teach the arts that he considers to be the most effective combination for all round fighting (MMA).  These include:

 

Kyokushin Karate; due to it's focus on tough training practise and endurance.

English/Western Boxing; to promote proficient guarding of the head.

Kick Boxing and Muay Thai; providing a logical fusion of Kyokushin and Boxing skills.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; for excellent ground skills with a Gi (uniform).

Grappling; for ground skills without a Gi.

Vale Tudo; "free fight, no rules" the logical result of combining these arts.

 

Eric was fed-up of hearing individual styles boasting superiority in the Martial Arts world. Through the practise and promotion of these Mixed Martial Arts and the success of the Ronin Mixed Martial Arts Schools, Eric helped demonstrate that All Round Fighting (aka. MMA) is the way forward.