ABOUT US
Stafford Mixed Martial Arts opened in September 2012 by Liam and Melissa Kerrigan. Liam started training when he was seven years old and Melissa started training when she was nine years old. Growing up at separate but affiliated schools has molded them into creating a school of their own. Both Liam and Melissa have each been training well than more than half of their life and started assisting classes at a young age, so it is safe to say they are doing what they do best!
Stafford Mixed Martial Arts was founded on the pillars of the martial arts and the belief that anyone with enough hard work and dedication can become a champion.
MEET THE TEAM
LIAM KERRIGAN
OWNER & HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Liam Kerrigan began his training at Tong Dragon MMA in Bayville in 1995 at the age of seven years old. His training began with and continues to be in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Wrestling, and Doces Pares Escrima. Over the years as a teenager and adult, Liam has traveled to Brasil with the team to train annually at Nilton Ferreira’s Gracie Barra Academy in Salvador, Bahia for jiu jitsu training. Growing up in a wrestling family, Liam would compete in both wrestling and jiu jitsu tournaments then furthering his wrestling knowledge after high school with Coach Vinny Santaniello of Shore Thing Wrestling. While fight training, Liam traveled to the NYC often to train under the eyes of Ajarn Phil Nurse and spread his striking knowledge even further with Daren “Chekmate” Maciunski with weekly private boxing privates. In September 2012, Liam opened up Stafford MMA after retiring from professional fighting. Liam is a 3rd degree black belt in jiu jitsu and has received all of his jiu jitsu belts under Professor Sarmento Jr.
•1998 – Began competing in submission grappling tournaments across USA
•2003 – Placed 1st – Juvenile & 3rd – Adult Blue Belt at the First Annual No GI Pan Am Tournament in California at the age of 14
•2005 – Placed 1st Blue Belt Division at California IBJJF Pan American Games
•2007 – Began Amateur fighting career with a finishing record of 5-1-1 in Amateur MMA, 2 Amateur MMA 159lb Championship Titles, 2-1 Amaeteur boxing, 2-0 Amateur Muay Thai
•September 2009 – Began Professional MMA with a finishing record of 3-2-1
•2012 – Began reffing for the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board getting the honor of reffing several UFC events
MELISSA KERRIGAN
PROGRAM DIRECTOR & HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Melissa Kerrigan began her training under her father who own Fatjo’s MMA in Morganville in 2001 at the age of nine years old. Her training began and continues to be in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Doces Pares Escrima. When Melissa was ten years old, she started competing in jiu jitsu tournaments in the northeast us and has traveled to train with the team for the annual jiu jitsu training camp at Nilton Ferreira’s Gracie Barra Academy in Salvador, Bahia. In September 2012, Melissa and Liam continue their martial arts journey and opened up Stafford MMA together in Manahawkin. Melissa is a 1st Degree Black Belt in jiu jitsu and has received all of her BJJ ranks under Professor Fernando Sarmento Jr.
