About Us

Founder

Mark Lajhner is the founder and head instructor of Kaizen MMA Academy. Mark comes from a judo background, where he achieved notable results and was a member of the national team. He debuted in MMA in December 2005 and has since recorded excellent results.

He spent several months in Gothenburg (Sweden), where he trained in MMA and Submission Wrestling under August Wallen, considered one of the world’s top MMA experts. There, he also trained with some of the best European and global fighters. He retired in May 2008, undefeated and as the best Serbian MMA fighter in the 84 kg category. He also competed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Wrestling (Grappling), and Freestyle Wrestling, winning numerous medals.

Mark Lajhner is a black belt in Judo and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a licensed instructor in MMA, Submission Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He graduated from the Sports Academy (specializing as a senior judo coach) and is also an NLP Practitioner. For detailed results, click on this link.

Mission and Vision

Mission

Every day, we provide training in the most modern combat system available, in a positive and friendly atmosphere, with top-quality instruction.

Vision

Kaizen MMA Academy brings the most positive values of martial arts from paper to real life. Our academy is a place where trainees receive the best of both worlds—the philosophy of traditional martial arts combined with the practicality of MMA. We bring out the best in people, activate their resources, and help them fulfill their potential.

Our Values

Our values are the compass for our actions and describe how we behave in the world.

  • Member Satisfaction: 
    We can only consider ourselves successful when our members are satisfied.
  • Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): 
    Whether it’s our combat system or providing the best possible service to our trainees.
  • The Most Modern Combat System: 
    Through years of experience and collaboration with the world’s top experts.
  • Care for Others: 
    Training in controlled conditions with an emphasis on training WITH a partner, not against them. We can only progress together.
  • Nonviolent and Rational Conflict Resolution:
    Instead of resolving conflicts with “fists.”
  • Activating Trainee Resources: 
    No other activity activates them as much as MMA does.
  • Confidence: 
    Through challenging training and mastering MMA elements, confidence improves.
  • Education: 
    Learning about the functioning of the body and mind.
  • Health: 
    Improved overall health status.
  • Challenging and Fun Training: 
    The toughest but also the most enjoyable activity.

Kaizen MMA Academy Philosophy

Kaizen is a term from the Japanese business world that means continuous improvement, which is the goal of every serious enterprise, including our academy. Whether it’s the training aspect, the philosophical component, or providing the best possible service to our trainees, we are not satisfied with the status quo and strive for constant improvement and reevaluation.

At the end of the 19th century, Jigoro Kano selected and systematized techniques from several Japanese Jiu-Jitsu styles, creating Judo. Although Judo later became one of the most widespread and popular martial arts in the world, Kano’s intention was not for the competitive aspect to dominate Judo, as he believed many negative outcomes could arise from overemphasizing the sport aspect. For him, Judo was more than just competition; he saw it as a tool for creating more valuable members of society and as a life philosophy.

We feel a connection to Professor Kano’s ideas and share his views on competition and its potential harm if it becomes an obsession. We believe that defeating another human being for money in front of a cheering crowd is not the healthiest way to develop one’s character. Unfortunately, many of the more important aspects of martial arts remain untouched in most martial arts clubs, which is disheartening.

Unlike Judo, where Kano removed all techniques he considered dangerous to human health (strikes, certain levers, and chokes), at Kaizen, we practice the full spectrum of MMA techniques with an emphasis on care for the partner. This means that during sparring, partners will not strike each other with more than 20% force to the head and will take care when applying levers and chokes on the ground.

Jigoro Kano

In addition to providing trainees with the most modern martial arts system, many of the training methods used in our academy can have a direct transfer to non-combat life situations. For example, it’s common for a trainee to believe they cannot perform a technique because they simply weren’t born for it, it doesn’t suit them, they have short legs (triangle), or some other excuse, thinking it’s impossible to execute. This is a classic example of a limiting belief, and we all have them to varying degrees. When a qualified coach “clears the fog” from the trainee’s eyes, an “AHA” moment occurs, which can later help the trainee identify and overcome other limiting beliefs that hold them back in life.

Does de-emphasizing competition and focusing on other aspects of martial arts mean that training at Kaizen will result in a “watered-down” combat system or that the training won’t be intense enough?

Absolutely NOT!

Given our extensive competitive experience and collaboration with world-renowned experts, trainees will receive the best of both worlds: the philosophy of traditional martial arts combined with the functionality and most modern MMA training methods.