Roufus Martial Arts Evolves in Oak Creek

Roufus Academy Evolves With Pettis Partnership

• Oak Creek Kids Martial Arts Program Features WEC Star Instructor

Friday, May 14, 2010 (Oak Creek, WI) Duke Roufus Academy LLC principals Duke Roufus and Scott Joffe are pleased to announce they have formed a partnership with mixed martial artist and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) star Anthony "Showtime" Pettis and brother Reynaldo Pettis of Milwaukee (WI), along with longtime martial arts professional Leonard Henderson, to operate a chain of martial arts schools in Southeastern Wisconsin to be called Roufus Evolution Martial Arts, while at the same time dropping the longtime Duke Roufus Academy moniker.

Roufus and Joffe said the name change will be implemented during the spring of 2010 and reflects Duke Roufus Academy's interest in expanding their children's program by adding the world's most popular martial art in terms of number of practitioners, Tae Kwon Do ("the way of the foot and fist," loosely translated), to the roster of skills taught at the esteemed martial arts facility.

With locations in Oak Creek at 9549 S. Chicago Rd. and in Milwaukee (WI) at 320 N 76th St., Duke Roufus Academy is considered to be one of the country's top training centers for Muay Thai based Roufus Kickboxing, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and MMA competition. Those popular programs will stay intact and continue to be offered.

The Pettis brothers and Henderson have a deep rooted education and background in Tae Kwon Do (TKD), and even in today's topsy turvy economy, they have found success with schools in Milwaukee and Pleasant Prairie (WI).

Involved in martial artist since the age of 5, Anthony Pettis, 23, opened his first Tae Kwon Do school when he was only 16 years old and has been working non-stop since developing his business acumen, along with turning himself into one of the country's top Lightweight (155 lbs) professional MMA contenders. With another big win in the WEC, Pettis will surely put himself in line for a world title shot by year's end.

Using his father's senseless killing in a November 2003 robbery as his driving force and ultimate motivation, Pettis' success is a true testament to the fact the he still honors his father's demand that he train hard everyday. It takes dedication, heart, desire and commitment, along with a greater sense of purpose to excel in martial arts at any level, and those qualities and more are what brings the Roufus and Pettis names together.

Fourth degree TKD black belts Reynaldo Pettis, 28, and Henderson, 27, round out the management team. Reynaldo Pettis has placed in the world top 10 multiple times and Henderson has won world championships twice in fighting and weapons.

"Rey" as the elder Pettis is known, is a brown belt in Roufus Kickboxing with an undefeated record. Henderson has trained four world champions in his 15 years instructing. Both have travelled extensively representing the United States on World TKD Demonstration Teams.

A martial arts icon who has been involved in martial arts since the age of 4, Duke Roufus is a 4-Time World Champion Kickboxer, 3rd Degree Karate Black Belt and top trainer that has developed into one of the world's top MMA managers and coach of the internationally known Roufusport Competition Team.

Featuring UFC and MMA stars Pat Barry, Alan Belcher, Matt Mitrione, Red Schafer, Razak Al-Hassan, Solomon Hutcherson, (Anthony) Pettis and many other talented professional MMA fighters and amateur "future stars," the Roufusport Competition Team has emerged as the "team to beat" at all levels of the sport.

Roufus Evolution Martial Arts offers exciting and comprehensive Kids Martial Arts classes for children ages 4 and up.

Children are taught important life building skills such as: Confidence, Self Control, Respect, How to Work Well With Others, Leadership, Developing a Fitness Based Lifestyle, Humility, Discipline, Responsibility, Social Interaction, Following Set Schedules, Being On Time, Reward for Personal Achievement, and many other important traits necessary to find success in today's challenging and ever changing society.

It's a proven fact that the majority of children in serious and committed martial arts programs improve as students outside of the academy. Parents say their children start paying better attention in class and their grades improved. Most stopped picking on siblings and fighting with others in school, while a few have gone on to have viable careers in instructing martial arts and/or through professional competition at the highest of levels.

Get your child and/or yourself started on a martial arts journey that lasts a lifetime. Looking for something fun and healthy for your child (children) to do this summer or sooner?? Try our Kids Martial Arts Introductory Special: 4 weeks for $49.00, includes a FREE kids martial arts uniform.

In martial arts, anything a child or adult sets out to accomplish, they can, through dedication, hard work and persistence. A life dedicated to martial arts is a life dedicated to success.

Call Roufus Evolution Martial Arts at 414-453-5425 and get started today. For more information and exact class times, please visit www.RoufusEvolutionMartialArts.com. Consultations and introductory sessions are free.