About the Founder

Professor James Hundon

Professor James Hundon is the founder of Universal Martial Arts Academy, Inc. and Ju Trap Boxing. Professor Hundon has been in the martial arts since 1967. He holds 7th Degree Black Belts in Small Circle Jujitsu and Kyohuejitsumae; a second degree Black Belt in Sugar Ryu Jujitsu; and Black Belts in Chinese Kenpo and Kodokan Jujitsu. He is a certified Edged Weapons Instructor, a Full Instructor in Jeet Kune Do Concepts/FMA, and a Phase One Instructor of Contemporary Jeet Kune Do under Sigung Paul Vunak. Professor Hundon also has an extensive background in Capoeira Angola, being one of the original west coast Capoeiristas. Additionally, he has studied Boxing, Shorinji Kenpo and Filipino weapons arts. In 2008 Professor Hundon was awarded the title of 'Most Distinguished Master' in the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Professor Hundon grew up boxing in the legendary Newman's Gym in San Francisco. He went on to attain his first Black Belt in Chinese Kenpo under Master Ken Lucio. From there he studied with Sifu Felix Macias, Sr. and the late Sifu Newt Kamakani, both original students of Grandmaster Bruce Lee. In 1978 Professor Hundon began his training with Great Grandmaster Wally Jay, the founder of Small Circle Jujitsu, becoming his top student. He traveled extensively with Great Grandmaster Jay demonstrating, competing and assisting him with seminars. His impressive international tournament career helped his teacher to establish Small Circle Jujitsu as the widely recognized martial art it is today. Professor Hundon taught at Great Grandmaster Jay's home dojo for many years before it closed in 2003.

In the mid 1980's Professor Hundon moved to New York, continuing his training with some of the greatest martial artists of our time: Professor Robert Crosson; Soke Lil’ John Davis; Soke James McQueen, founder of Kyohuejitsumae; and the late great Doctor Moses Powell. Professor Hundon has also studied with the world renowned Professor Don Jacob, founder of Purple Dragon International.

Professor Hundon has trained extensively in the Filipino martial arts. Some of his FMA teachers have included Grandmaster Remy Presas, the founder of Modern Arnis; Grandmaster Tony Somera of Bahala Na; Master Khalid Khan, a student of Grandmaster Angel Cabales; and Pangulong Guro Sultan "Shaykh" Uddin, a student of Grandmaster Angel Cabales and founder of the International Eskrima Serrada Association. Currently Professor Hundon trains with Sifu Harinder Singh Sabharwal, Senior Training Officer of Progressive Fighting Systems, under Sigung Paul Vunak.

In addition to his busy schedule teaching classes and seminars, Professor Hundon instructs children in self defense at the Whitney Young Child Development Center in the Bayview Hunters Point district of San Francisco; and is a basketball coach for middle school girls and boys. He is a recipient of the 2010 Bayview Hunters Point Community Leadership Award.