Meet Ormond's most dangerous teachers: Todd Cutler and his seven black belts

Ormond Beach Observer
Sports

Once you turn right on Orchard Street, drive about a half-mile down the road until you see a huge blue sign that reads “Ormond Business Park” with “123” at the bottom of it. Make your way all the way to the back, passing buildings No. 3, 4 and 5, and then hang a left at No. 6.

You can now enter the gym of a coach who once sat his newborn baby—2 days old—in his car seat at the edge of a training mat and taught a lesson. That teacher is distinguished Brazilian jiu-jitsu second-degree black belt Todd Cutler, and he has seven other black belts with him.

After a perfect start to his MMA career, Cutler hit a standstill, which ultimately led him to pursue Brazilian Jiu-jitsu career. There, he also found much success, which still continues to this day, in competition.

New black belt Sean Wells makes one of the students tap, after a close training match.

But, in the last several years, Cutler opened his gym, Fightsports Daytona and has taken many novices—at best—to elite fighters and MMA and jiu-jitsu champions. One of his students, Muhammed De’Reese, currently stars in UFC’s “The Ultimate Fighter.” Russell Dukes, a local firefighter, recently won a championship in a main event at the Leo Code competitions.

Students try to submit each other at the end of their training session.

“I’m trying to change lives,” Cutler said. “My life was changed because of jiu-jitsu, and the men I remember throughout my life have been my coaches.”

Train ‘em young

Todd Cutler shows two young students how to perform an arm bar. Photos by Jeff Dawsey

In addition his many other adult classes, Cutler also teaches kids—as young as 4 years old. This past week, he launched a program that was funded by businesses owners throughout the community, who donated $250 per kid for their uniforms and

equipment.

“If we can get a couple of at-risk kids to change and pick up jiu-jitsu and show them another way to excel,” Cutler said, “then that’s what the program’s about.” Cutler’s son, Todd Jr., 6, has begun his young career.