Matt Stokes began his martial arts training at the age of 14, taking Tae Kwon Do at the Deluna Karate Academy in Garland, TX.  He went on to train in Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Yim, Kenpo under Chief Adrian Roman, Kung-Fu San Soo under Master Ron Van Browning, and Moon Moo Do under Master Lee.

In 1992, he began training full-time under Grandmaster DeLeon in Modern Arnis, and has had the great privilege of assisting in the formation of the International Arnis de Leon Federation (IADLF).  Mr. Stokes is the highest-ranking student under Grandmaster DeLeon and served as the first Director of the IADLF.  Grandmaster DeLeon certified him as an Advanced Instructor in both Modern Arnis and Arnis de Leon. In March of 2000, he began teaching Modern Arnis and later Arnis de Leon at the Rowlett Martial Arts Center in Rowlett, TX.  He now teaches at Huffhines Recreation Center in Richardson, TX.

Mr. Stokes is a member of the United States Ju Jitsu Federation and the United States Martial Arts Federation. Mr. Stokes holds a 3rd degree black belt in Arnis de Mano and Filipino Ju Jitsu under these organizations, as well as a 1st degree black belt in the U. S. Ju Jitsu system. He holds a 1st degree black belt in Modern Arnis and Arnis de Leon.

In 2003, he began studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Allen Mohler (Team Alliance). In 2005, he began training under Roman Kilgore, who is a black belt under Carlos Machado. Mr. Stokes is currently a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and his classes now reflect a blend of Filipino martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.