J.J. Ambrose is a former Bodyshop Fitness Team member currently training out of San Jose, California with AKA. In the past Ambrose has competed for Affliction, in addition to being a cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter 12”. Ambrose fights at both welterweight and lightweight with the majority of his career being spent at 170 pounds.

Ambrose mixes it up by utilizing both legs to throw kicks, working his hands, and doing a nice job of varying his striking to the head and body of opponents. Equipped with a jab, hooks, uppercuts, crosses and quick leg kicks as part of his striking repertoire, Ambrose shows versatility although he’s still developing technically. He will get tagged on his feet, doesn’t incorporate much head movement into his defense, and has a tendency to leave his chin exposed. Ambrose has continued sharpening his standup skills at the American Kickboxing Academy, and is adept at throwing his hook and/or overhand right to get in close where he works for takedown attempts.

Equipped with a high school wrestling base and having trained at the Bodyshop Fitness Team under Antonio McKee, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Ambrose looks to put his opponent on their back and work from top position. Armed with a competent wrestling game, Ambrose shows a good assortment of takedowns and trips including an effective outside leg trip he works from the clinch. On the mat, Ambrose works his ground and pound game and shows good submission awareness from the top. Aggressive, Ambrose shows a preference in going to half guard where he can sit on his opponent’s leg and work his striking to the head and body. As a “top grappler”, Ambrose will need to work on shoring up his takedown defense and guard skills. Although he actively looks for submissions off his back (particularly a kimura), Ambrose can be outmuscled and controlled by stronger grapplers. This was evident in his lone TUF 12 bout, as he was easily grounded and controlled by Sevak Magakian.