Since 2001
The Edge Martial Arts Academy opened its doors in 2001 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Initially, Guru Jerry McCleary taught the traditional systems of Jun Fan Gung Fu, Silat, and Kali. But after mastering over 19 world-class martial arts systems he had come to recognize the strengths, redundancies, and deficiencies in each style. After nearly two decades of planning, Guru McCleary designed an entirely new martial arts system: Serbatik (ser-bah-teek).
Serbatik Origins
Drawing on the best qualities of each style he had studied, Guru McCleary developed a philosophy-based martial arts system to stand the test of time. The system provides combative skills within a six-foot range of the threat.
Kickboxing
Boxing
Trapping
Grappling
Weapons training (Adults)
Our art takes a scientific approach to each of these areas of study. The strategies and techniques you will learn at the Edge Martial Arts Academy are not random. Serbatik is not a mixed martial art, but a curated martial art.
The Serbatik System was first established in 2004 and was ratified by a council of martial arts elders in 2005. The system gains its structure and history from several parent arts we commonly refer to as “The Wisdom of Ages.” Some of these arts include:
Pekiti Tirsia Kali
Lacoste Insanto Kali
Jun Fan Gung Fu
Jeet Kune Do
Sambo
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Tai Chi Chuan
Shoot Wrestling
Boxing
Kripalu Yoga
Chi Gung
Pentjak Silat Serak
Hatha Yoga
Maphilindo Silat
Sanuces Jiu Jitsu
Vee Arnis
Vee-Jitsu-Te
Serbatik is a philosophy-based system. The art is based on the Three-Fold Path concept: Body, Mind, & Spirit. The Body makes up the first fold of the system. The other concept folds are revealed as your training in the system progresses.
The system is controlled by a reigning Grandmaster who embodies what is referred to as “The Wisdom of Our Time.” It is the Grandmaster’s responsibility to keep the system up-to-date, as well as adding anything from his/her experience that is necessary for the betterment of the system and the Serbatik family.
Curriculum vitae: Maha Guru Jerry McCleary
Maha Guru McCleary started his training in 1976 under Sensei Greg Chadick. He has trained in arts such as Jeet Kune Do, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Kali, Vee Arnis, Pentjak Silat, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Fu Jow Pai, Ju-Jitsu, Sambo, Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, Pekiti Tirsia Kali, Lameco Escrima, Aijukemar Ryu, Kempo, Boxing, and Sanuces Ju-Jitsu. Maha Guru McCleary has been training in the martial arts for over 35 years of continual study and is proud to not only be a senior instructor but still a student of the arts. He has been teaching in the Knoxville area for over 15 years, primarily as a private instructor focusing on individual instruction and seminars.
Some of Maha Guru McCleary’s direct instructors have been some of the foremost martial artists of the present time, including:
Maha Guru Victor de Thouras – Founder of the VDT Pentjak Silat Federation
Tuhon William McGrath – President of Pekiti Tirsia International
Sifu Larry Hartsell- Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association
Guru Zach Whitson – Mataas Na Guro of Pekiti Tirsia International
Guru Chris Gielen – Instructor Pentjak Silat Serak
Guru Mike Roberts – Instructor Pentjak Silat Serak
Maha Guru McCleary has been training in the martial arts for over forty years and has obtained several levels of achievement:
Maha Guru Serbatik (Grandmaster and Founder)
Mataas Na Guro Pekiti Tirsia Kali (Master Instructor)
Pentjak Silat Serak Elder Council Member (Former)
Pentjak Silat Serak Association Eastern United States Senior Representative (Former)
Tennessee State Director for the Jun Fan / Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association (Former)
Jeet Kune Do Instructor
JKD Kali-Silat Instructor
Sanuces Ju-Jitsu Shodan
Jun Fan Gung Fu Instructor
Tai Chi Chuan Instructor
Boxing Trainer
Maha Guru McCleary has been training since 1976 and has trained with several of the foremost martial artists of the present time:
1976 – Sensei Greg Chadick
1988 – Sifu West (Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do, Kali)
1993 – Simo Eldridge (Tai Chi Chuan, Shiatzu, Tuin na)
1995 -Guro Richard Bustillo (Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do, Boxing, Ju-Jitsu)
1995 -Prof. Charles Allen (Sanuces Ju-Jitsu, Vee-Arnis, Aikjukemar-Ryu)
1996 -Sifu Larry Hartsell (Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do, Lameco Escrima, Lacoste Insanto Kali, Pentjak Silat, Shoot Wrestling, Brazillian Ju-Jitsu)
1997 – Awarded Shodan in Sanuces-Ju-Jitsu from Prof. Charles Allen
1998 – Master Chai (Thai Boxing) – Tuhon Guro William McGrath (Pekiti Tirsia Kali) – Guro Dan Insanto (Insanto Kali, Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do)
1999 – Awarded State Director for the June Fan/Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association under Sifu Larry Hartsell – Awarded Guro Isa in the Art of Pekiti Tirsia Kali by Tuhon Guro William McGrath
2001 – Maha Guru Victor de Thouras (Pentjak Silat Serak)
2002 – Awarded State Director for Pentjak Silat Serak by Maha Guru Victor de Thouras – Ring of Fire (Maha Guru Victor de Thouras, Guru Ustad Dan Insanto, Maha Guru Muda Vanatta, Guru Steven Plinck, Guru Andre Knust Graichen)
2003 – Awarded Pembantu Guru & Senior Representative for the Eastern United States in Pentjak Silat Serak from Maha Guru Victor de Thouras
2004 – Guest Instructor at the Ring of Fire in Las Vegas, Nevada – Appointed to the Counsel of Elders of Pentjak Silat Serak – Named the Cooridinator of the System of Pentjak Silat Serak – Awarded Mataas Na Guro (Master Instructor) in the System of Pekiti Tirsia by Tuhon Bill McGrath 2005 – Founded the System of Pukulan Pentjak Silat Serbatik
2009– Created the Threat Assessment & Response Potential Program (TARPP) designed for law enforcement and military agencies
2011– Founded the Combat Silat System
2013– Established the Combat Cross Training system