Jay Isip, Owner & Founder of Buctown MMA, began his Martial Arts journey at Olympic Karate in 1989 at the age of 7. Growing up, he dabbled in other arts; Aikido, Savat, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Western Boxing, and Wrestling. When he discovered Wrestling, combat sports became a staple activity in his life.

In 2000, after a four-year varsity wrestling career at Belleville High School, Jay decided to move on to the MMA world. He found a Martial Arts Gym in Elizabeth, NJ called BAMA, founded by UFC referee "Big Dan" Mirigliotta. Training with his brothers Pete Isip and Timmy Hands, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Western Boxing, and Wrestling were a must practice before stepping in the ring or cage. A year later at age 19, Jay Isip competed at BAMA FIGHT NIGHT for his 1st ever fisticuffs inside a "pro-wrestling" ring that landed in the South Plainfield Middle School Gymnasium.  

Four amateur fights later, in 2003, Isip went pro and fought his debut against the UFC Vet Kurt "Batman" Pellegrino. Even though Coach Jay's fighting career was rocky, he went toe-to-toe with some of the best Mixed Martial artists during the early stages of his career.

After years of training under Eddie "The Tech" Rolon and Team Endgame, in 2008, Coach Jay moved to Belmar, NJ, to train under previous opponent Kurt Pellegrino (Marcello Garcia Black Belt), and swap blood, sweat, and tears with one of the toughest teams in NJ - Pellegrino MMA. A group of hard-nosed hungry fighters packed with skills and grit that all shared the same dream. Some made it to high-level events like; UFC & Bellator - some didn't, but the experiences these fighters went through together holds the true title.