Our Story
ABOUT
EVOLUTION
A family legacy built on World Class Karate. Training champions since 1985.
Head Instructor & Founder
MASTER GREG
HUSSEY
Master Greg Hussey didn't start with confidence — he started with a dream. As a young child who struggled with self-belief, he was inspired by martial arts movies and encouraged by his father to take that first step. In 1985, he walked into the United States Black Cat Kenpo Karate Academy under Master Art Beins and knew from his very first class exactly what he wanted: to become a black belt.
Growing up, times weren't always easy. His parents made real sacrifices to keep him on the mat — and that consistency became the foundation of everything. His competitive journey began in 1987. He didn't win his first event, but placing second lit a fire that would fuel years of national-level competition. By 1989, he faced one of the most defining moments of his life: he failed his first black belt test. Instead of walking away, he regrouped, trained harder, and retested — earning his black belt alongside his father. That moment built a level of resilience and perspective that still drives him today.
Throughout the 1990s, Master Hussey competed across the country, accumulating four national titles and recognition as Instructor of the Year in 1994. He taught at Manchester Karate — the school founded by his parents — and expanded his reach by running programs for organizations such as AT&T. In 2000, he was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt and earned the title of Master, an achievement he shared alongside his father. Following the passing of his mother in 2006, he carried the family legacy forward. In 2010, he took over the school and rebranded it as Evolution Martial Arts, building it into the premier training facility it is today.
Karate has always been — and will always be — his true passion. It is the discipline that shaped him, the craft he has spent over four decades mastering, and the art he teaches with the highest standards every single day. To complement that foundation, he has also trained extensively in grappling, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and wrestling through Engineered MMA under coach Dan Fischer, earning a brown belt — a commitment to continuous growth that allows him to offer students a well-rounded, modern martial arts education. Today, his focus is simple: to develop strong, confident individuals through disciplined training, high standards, and a positive, structured environment. The greatest reward is no longer his own accomplishments — it is watching his students grow, succeed, and become the best version of themselves.
Credentials & Achievements
WHAT SETS GREG APART
4X National Champion
Won the PA Super Championships, Maryland Open, Top Ten Nationals, and New York Open — over 100 East Coast competition wins.
Black Belt Hall of Fame 2016
Inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2016 — one of the highest honors in the martial arts world.
7th Degree Black Belt (2025)
Promoted to 7th Degree Black Belt in 2025. Began training in 1985 alongside his father, earned his Black Belt in 1989.
USBCKKF Board of Directors
Serves on the Board of Directors of the United States Black Cat Kenpo Karate Federation since 2015 — a national leadership role in the martial arts community.
The Coaching Staff
MEET THE TEAM BEHIND EVOLUTION
Evolution Martial Arts isn't built on one person — it's built on a family of champions. Every instructor on our staff brings a championship pedigree and a genuine passion for developing the next generation of martial artists.
Fourth Degree Black Belt | Head Coach | Curriculum Developer
Master Donna Hussey
Master Donna Hussey is a highly accomplished martial artist and coach with a proven record of competitive excellence and leadership. In 2019, she earned the title of National Champion with the World Karate Commission (WKC), secured a Bronze Medal at the WKC World Championships, and ranked as a Top 10 Competitor in the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA).
As the Head Coach of Team Evolution Demo Team, Master Hussey leads athletes who perform at community events and compete on a national level, consistently showcasing high standards of skill, discipline, and performance.
She is also the creator of the Warriors Program curriculum — a foundational training system designed specifically for children ages 4–6. This program focuses on building confidence, coordination, and essential life skills through structured martial arts training.
With her combination of competitive success, coaching expertise, and curriculum development, Master Hussey plays a vital role in shaping students at Evolution Martial Arts — developing not only strong martial artists, but confident, disciplined individuals.
Senior Instructor & Community Pillar
Master Cliff Hussey
Master Cliff Hussey has been a staple of the Toms River martial arts community since 1994. His decades of consistent presence, mentorship, and instruction have made him one of the most trusted figures in Ocean County martial arts. Students who trained under Master Cliff as children are now bringing their own children to him — a testament to the lasting impact of his teaching.
Head MMA Coach — UFC Pedigree
Coach Dan Fischer
Coach Dan Fischer is a legend in the MMA world. He has coached several UFC fighters and has worked with some of the top local UFC veterans to come out of New Jersey. His coaching philosophy is built on technical precision, fight IQ, and the relentless conditioning required to compete at the highest levels. If you want to train MMA the right way — the way UFC fighters train — Dan Fischer is your coach.
Our Mission
MORE THAN A GYM.
A LEGACY.
Evolution Martial Arts was built on a simple but powerful belief: that World Class Karate, taught by world-class instructors, changes lives. The discipline, respect, and resilience forged on the mat translate directly into every area of a student's life — in school, in work, and in the community.
We are proud to serve Toms River and Ocean County, NJ. From the 4-year-old taking their first class to the adult stepping into the MMA cage for the first time — every student at Evolution is treated with the same level of championship-caliber instruction and genuine care.