About
From humble beginnings and relentless hustle, what used to be Fabiano Scherner Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and now Chess Lab BJJ Yakima is the result of two journeys coming together at the right time.
Professor James O’Neal and a small crew bounced between garages, school gyms, and makeshift training spots for years, committed to keeping the art alive.
Meanwhile, Jen Bailey, former co-owner of URJ Training Center, had the perfect gym space, but needed a professor. When she reached out to James in mid-2025, everything changed.
What started as survival became a home, and now a growing movement.
Carrying the Legacy of Fabiano “Pega Leve” Scherner | Led Locally by Professor James O’Neal
At Chess Lab Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Yakima, we’re proud to represent the lineage of Fabiano “Pega Leve” Scherner, a legend in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA world — and to be led day-to-day by our own local black belt, Professor James O’Neal, a second-degree black belt under Fabiano himself.
Together, this partnership creates something powerful: a fusion of world-class lineage and grassroots community — right here in Yakima, WA.
Our Lineage — A Direct Line to Greatness
Fabiano Scherner is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Murilo Bustamante and Luis Roberto “Bebeo” Duarte, two icons in the Carlson Gracie lineage — known for its heavy top pressure, relentless pace, and no-ego approach to training and competition.
That puts our lineage as:
Fabiano is a multiple-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, Pan-American Champion, American Nationals Champion, and a veteran of top MMA organizations including the UFC, Cage Rage, and the IFL. His experience at the highest level of competition directly influences how his affiliates — including our academy — operate and train.
Meet Our Lead Instructor:
Professor James O’Neal
2nd Degree Black Belt | Veteran | Physician Assistant-Certified
Professor James O’Neal is on the mats almost every day, guiding our students with patience, precision, and a deep love for the art. He holds a second-degree black belt under Fabiano Scherner and brings a uniquely well-rounded presence to the academy.
James isn’t just a martial artist — he’s also:
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A military veteran with operational experience that informs his discipline and leadership
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A trained medical professional, who understands body mechanics, recovery, and injury prevention
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A true BJJ technician, who leads with humility and humor
Whether you’re learning how to frame in closed guard, dig for underhooks in half guard, or simply survive mount, you're getting instruction from someone who’s lived through real challenges — and brings that grit to every roll.
Our History | Built from the Ground Up
The story of Chess Lab BJJ Yakima isn’t flashy — it’s gritty, real, and rooted in determination.
It began with Professor James O’Neal, a second-degree black belt under Fabiano Scherner, who refused to let jiu-jitsu die in the valley. Alongside a small group of dedicated students, he trained wherever possible: starting at Yakima MMA, then moving into the old Naches Elementary School gym, followed by sessions on a padded garage floor, and even inside someone’s living room. Eventually, they turned a run-down hole-in-the-wall building into a functioning gym — only for the roof to literally cave in. Still, the team stayed together, training where they could, always looking for a home that could match their commitment.
At the same time, Jen Bailey, co-founder of URJ Training Center, found herself at a crossroads. Her training partner accepted a new position coaching in Miami, and while she had a well-equipped gym and strong community, she no longer had a black belt to lead the jiu-jitsu program.
In June 2025, Jen personally reached out to Professor O’Neal.
That phone call sparked a merge that brought structure, leadership, and long-term vision to what had previously just been survival. Together, Jen and James combined their strengths — facility and leadership, passion and experience — to create Chess Lab BJJ Yakima.
What started with a handful of mats and a few loyal students has now become a fully recognized academy under the Chess Lab / Fabiano Scherner banner — and a hub for high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Central Washington.
We're not a franchise. We're a family — built brick by brick, roll by roll.
