Instructors On The Mat
Joao Cunha (3rd Degree Black Belt BJJ)
Instructor Joao Ricardo Cunha has been actively training in Jiu Jitsu since 1989. From his early days in Brazil until now, he has fought in hundreds of tournaments. Joao Cunha is also undefeated in the cage. He has beaten Steve Gomm who fought many UFC champions. His last pro MMA fight was against Bellator season 4 finalist Toby Imada.
MMA Record from Sherdog.com
Below is a list of some significant championships Joao has won as a black belt.
| Tournament | Place | Division | Year | Belt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan American Gi | Gold | Middle | 2005 | Black |
| Pan American Gi | Gold | Middle | 2006 | Black |
| Pan American Gi | Gold | Middle | 2007 | Black |
| Pan American Gi | Gold | Light | 2008 | Black |
| Pan American Gi | Gold | Light | 2010 | Black |
| Pan American Gi | Bronze | Middle | 2009 | Black |
| Pan American No-Gi | Gold | Light | 2006 | Black |
| Pan American No-Gi | Gold | Light | 2009 | Black |
| Pan American No-Gi | Bronze | Light | 2007 | Black |
| Pan American Gi | Bronze | Open Weight | 2006 | Black |
| World Championship No-Gi | Bronze | Light | 2007 | Black |
| World Championship No-Gi | Bronze | Middle | 2008 | Black |
| World Championship No-Gi | Silver | Light | 2009 | Black |
| Brazilian National Championship | Bronze | Middle | 2008 | Black |
| Brazilian National Championship | Silver | Middle | 2009 | Black |
| Abu Dhabi (ADCC) Qualifier | Gold | Light | 2002 | Mens No-Gi |
| American National Championship | Gold | Middle | 2007 | Black |
| American National Championship | Gold | Middle | 2008 | Black |
| American National Championship | Silver | Light | 2009 | Black |
| American National No-Gi Championship | Gold | Middle | 2008 | Black |
| American National No-Gi Championship | Gold | Open Weight | 2008 | Black |
| American National No-Gi Championship | Gold | Light | 2009 | Black |
| American National No-Gi Championship | Gold | Open Weight | 2009 | Black |
| International Masters & Seniors | Bronze | Middle | 2008 | Black |
| International Masters & Seniors No-Gi | Gold | Middle | 2007 | Black |
| International Masters & Seniors No-Gi | Silver | Middle | 2009 | Black |
| Grapplers Quest West Championship | Gold | Light | 2003 | Advanced Mens No-Gi |
| Grapplers Quest West Championship | Gold | Light | 2004 | Advanced Mens No-Gi |
| Grapplers Quest West Championship | Gold | Light | 2005 | Advanced Mens No-Gi |
| Grapplers Quest West Championship | Gold | Light | 2006 | Advanced Mens No-Gi |
| New York International Open | Gold | Light | 2010 | Black |
| Las Vegas International Open | Gold | Light | 2011 | Black |
Roy Neeman (Black Belt BJJ / Cage Fighter)
Roy Neeman was a professsional Muay Thai fighter with a record of 26-0 before he ever started training BJJ. He has a wealth of experience and is an avid competitor for BJJ and inside the cage. He is a former member of the Israeli Special Forces.
David Agajanian (College Gymnast / Black Belt BJJ)
David is a professional gymnast by trade. He garnered the attention of olympic scouts during his training for gymnastics at San Diego State University. He has won numerous titles and championships in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu including the Pan American and World Championship.
Kale Lopez (Black Belt BJJ)
Kale embraces the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle completely. He is a well disciplined and fierce competitor. He eats, lives and breathes BJJ and is on the mat everyday year round. Kale has fought some of the best Jiu Jitsu practitioners in the world and draws from his wealth of competitive experience.
Eduardo Dums (Pro Muay Thai Fighter)
Eduardo Dums comes from the imfamous Chute Boxe academy in Curitiba, Brazil. He trained with the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio Rua and Murilo Rua. He is the head Muay Thai instructor for our academy. He has a professional record of 19-2 in Muay Thai.
Thiago "Van Damme" Dutra (Pro Muay Thai/Cage Fighter)
Thiago fought for many MMA organizations including Elite XC, now ProElite. He is an experienced verteran in the cage. Thiago runs our MMA classes and sometimes will teach Muay Thai classes as well. He is a brown belt in BJJ.