Jackson and his family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico when he was three years old.

Jackson came from a family of wrestlers (his father, brother, and uncle were all champions in the sport).

Jackson grew up in a rough neighborhood, and began learning martial arts to defend himself.

In 1992, after graduating from Rio Grande High School, Jackson founded his own martial art, Gaidojutsu, which combines rudimentary techniques from catch wrestling and Muay Thai with basic judo locks.

Greg Jackson and his gym have won five World MMA Awards altogether.