Today saw the funeral of a beloved BJJ blackbelt, Matthew Middeke. The sad news comes after Middeke died on July 13, 2026, following a motorcycle accident in St. Louis while traveling to work. He was 48 years old at the time and was on his way to Middeke Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school (his gym and place of work)
Throughout his life, Middeke developed expertise in a wide range of trades and crafts, including photography, landscaping, auto mechanics, roofing, construction, and home repair. However, arguably his biggest interest was in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a discipline that became a defining part of his life. Like many, Middeke quickly became hooked and got into competing before eventually transitioning into teaching.
In 2019, Middeke opened a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studio in New Baden, Illinois, where he taught students until his death. He earned the rank of black belt and was known for sharing his knowledge and passion for the martial art with others.
When asked about his personality, his cousin responded by stating, “Matt was a great teacher. Jiu Jitsu was so important to him.” Because of this, the local BJJ community is in mourning as it has lost one of its teachers and a core member of their local community.
A freelance journalist with more than seven years of experience covering a wide range of topics, with a focus on delivering accurate, engaging, and well-researched reporting. He studied at the University of Birmingham, where he developed a strong foundation in journalism and communications. Martin is a 10th Planet BJJ brown belt and has been training for approximately 10 years and a keen follower of submission grappling.
