Scott Sullivan

A Philosophy PhD Who Fights

Scott “Bam Bam” Sullivan holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, specializing in classical ethics and Thomistic logic. He is the published author of An Introduction to Traditional Logic, a textbook used in university programs across the country. He has appeared on EWTN as a Catholic intellectual discussing philosophy and ethics.

He is also a former IKF World Muay Thai Champion, WKA North American Champion, and U.S. Heavyweight Kickboxing and Shootboxing Champion who competed internationally in Las Vegas, Tokyo, and Moscow.

That combination — academic philosopher and professional fighter — is what makes Sullivan’s teaching different from everyone else in combat sports education. He thinks in systems. He breaks complex movements into simple, logical steps. And he has tested every technique he teaches against trained opponents in real competition.

The Grappling Education

Sullivan’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey reads like a who’s who of the art’s history. He trained with Rickson Gracie, Relson Gracie, Carlos Machado, John Machado, and Mario Roberto. His formal BJJ certifications come through two lineages: the Federacao de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (under Grandmaster Carlos Robson Gracie) and the Associacao Oriente de Jiu-Jitsu (under Grandmaster Amelio Arruda Camarra, a direct student of Helio Gracie).

He currently holds a 3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt and teaches both gi and no-gi grappling through his FightScience courses in Scott Sullivan’s BJJ 101 System, covering back attacks, chokes, triangles, kneebars, and escapes.

Bam Bam Martial Arts — 18 Years in Houston

Sullivan founded Bam Bam Martial Arts at 4007 Bellaire Blvd in Houston, Texas, and has operated the gym for over 18 years. The gym serves everyone from first-time students to professional fighters.

For over 25 years, Sullivan has also trained law enforcement officers, SWAT teams, and military personnel in practical combatives and self-defense. His self-defense courses on FightScience are built from that experience — techniques that have been pressure-tested in real-world confrontations, not just on the mats.

The FightScience Founder

Sullivan is the founder and face of FightScience.com, where he teaches 20+ courses spanning Muay Thai, BJJ, and practical self-defense. His teaching voice is direct, conversational, and stripped of unnecessary complexity. Short sentences. Clear instructions. Techniques broken down into steps that anyone can follow regardless of size, age, or athletic background.

His flagship program, The Ultimate Muay Thai Training System, is a 10-volume course covering fundamentals through advanced sparring methodology — available as a complete bundle for $397. His self-defense courses — How to Win a Street Fight, Knife Defense, and the Self Defense Shortcut — target everyday people who want practical skills for real situations, all available in the How To Win A Street Fight bundle for $299.

His philosophy as an instructor mirrors his philosophy as an academic: start with first principles, build systematically, and cut everything that doesn’t serve the outcome.

What You Get in Sullivan’s Courses

Sullivan’s courses on FightScience cover three disciplines:

Muay Thai: The Ultimate Muay Thai Training System — 10 volumes from stance and guard through advanced combinations, clinch work, and sparring methodology. Available as a complete bundle for $397.

BJJ: Back attacks, gi chokes, triangles, kneebars, and escapes and counters. Available in Scott Sullivan’s BJJ 101 System for $299.

Self-Defense: Street fighting, knife defense, and a condensed self-defense shortcut system. Available in the How To Win A Street Fight bundle for $299.