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Big John McCarthy

John McCarthy has been involved in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts since its inception into the United States in 1993. As the owner of the Ultimate Training Academy, John will oversee the day to day operations of the Academy as well as be the primary instructor for No-Gi Grappling, Strength Training, and all Law Enforcement and Military Training.

www.bigjohnmccarthy.com
John McCarthy’s Credits Include:

* Officiated over 500 Mixed Martial Arts Matches worldwide
* American Grappling Association Black Belt instructor rating
* Member of the Los Angeles Police Department Martial Arts Review Board
* Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
* Grapple Instructor for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
* Self-Defense Instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department
* Tactics Instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department
* Key figure in writing the Unified Rules for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts which is recognized by the State Athletic Commissions across America
* Received a California State Resolution by Senator Jim Battin for accomplishments in regards to Mixed Martial Arts Safety and Growth
* Recognized Worldwide as the Premier Referee in Mixed Martial Arts and for the Ultimate Fighting Championship


Ryan Carleton

 

Ryan originally started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Jean Jacques Machado where he was awarded a Blue Belt. Continuing his training around the Los Angeles area in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling, Ryan came to work closely with Mike Ortiz where he excelled to a solid Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Ryan has competed in several tournaments over the years where he earned 2nd Place at the 2003 World Grappling Games and 1st Place in the Lightweight Division at the 2005 Pan Americans of Submission Grappling.

We are proud to add Ryan to our team at Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy - he will contribute to the training students of all ages.

Dubwana Clark
Dubwana has 21 years experience as a champion wrestler, leading a team to a championship as well as being an accomplished individual champion. He has over 19 years experience as a boxer and has been fortunate to be a part of some of the top rated, world class boxing training camps. He has experience in personal training consultations for movies, documentaries and law enforcement.

Dubwana has devoted his time as a volunteer coach and supporter for youth activities in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valley’s.
As a trainer at the Academy, he is looking forward to teaching stand-up fighting styles at the highest level possible.
Dubwana Clark is glad to bring his expertise, passion and dedication to the Academy.

Efrain Contreras
Efrian Contreras has trained under kickboxing legend Benny “The Jet” and holds the following titles;
WKA Super Welterweight Champion
PKA Super Welterweight Champion
ICT Super Welterweight Champion
In Efrian’s amateur career, he was undefeated and held the following titles;
1984 Golden Gloves Champion
Kickbox U.S. Champion
World Amateur Champion


Joe Hamilton

Joe Hamilton has been involved in the martial arts from a very early age. As a Los Angeles Police Officer he had the opportunity to get involved early on with the UFC, and served as an alternate referee from 1995 to 1998. His public safety career spanned for over 20 years and included service as a Police Officer and as a Firefighter/ Paramedic. He is a graduate of Stanford School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant program, and currently works full time as a PA.

Joe is a Certified CrossFit Trainer and he feels particularly excited about the opportunity to assist combat athletes (MMA, Police Officers, and Firefighters) with their efforts to obtain and maintain elite fitness. He looks forward to preparing intense, varied, effective and functional strength and conditioning programs for our athlete.

Joe Hamilton’s Credits include:

* Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
* Brown Belt, Kodokan Judo
* Former Member of the Los Angeles Police Department martial arts review board
* Certified CrossFit Trainer
* Professional Member National Strength and Conditioning Association
* Alternate Referee UFC, 1995-1998


Shoji Hattori

Shoji first became a student of Martial Arts when he was only 6 years old when he began classes in shorinji kenpo and kendo. His commitment to learning various fighting arts has included Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing and Muay Thai. Shoji has learned from such renowned instructors as Rickson Gracie, Erik Paulson, Choho Kameya and Hawkins Cheung.

Shoji is excited to join the Team at Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy and will strive to train fighters in all levels whether for competition, self-defense or personal fitness. In his classes, Shoji plans to incorporate several of the drills learned from the top instructors of his past as well as focus on everything from cardio and strength to strategy and mental self-discipline.

Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson is an experienced wrestler with championships at both the high school and collegiate level. He has a background of four years of competitive boxing which concluded with a winning record. Jim has helped numerous high school wrestling teams Compete at state levels.

In 2001 Jim culminated his two styles for the purpose of mixed martial arts training. Jim has been studying the art since 2001.

Jim is dedicated to the advantages in fitness and knowledge that come with high level athletic competition.


Mark Mireles

Mark Mireles has thirty years of martial arts training, including a black belt in Judo, All-American Honors in Wrestling and a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Jean Jacques Machado. He has coached Wrestling at the scholastic, collegiate, and club levels for over twenty years.

Mark has developed an outstanding curriculum incorporating aspects of wrestling for MMA applications and has had the opportunity to teach with several renowned grappling instructors to included Eddie Bravo, Gokar Chivician, and Jean Jacques Machado. Take your game to the next level with Mark’s classes


Felicia Oh

www.feliciaoh.com

Felicia Oh was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by her friend's husband. Intrigued by the notion that technique and skill could overcome size and strength, she went to watch a class. She signed up and started training the next day.

Felicia has since dominated many national competitions and holds the distinction of being the first American woman to be invited to Japan for BJJ. Felicia was awarded her Black Belt by Jean Jacques Machado after only 4.5 years-- an achievement that has left many of her male training partners both envious and struggling to keep from getting choked out.

Felicia currently trains in Southern California with Jean Jacques Machado and Eddie Bravo. In addition to teaching in the Digital Media program at Otis College of Art and Design, she is also a certified Kettlebell instructor.

Felcia's credits include:
* 2006 ADCC North American Submission Grappling Trials Champion 55kg Winner
* 2006 US Open of Submission Grappling Absolute Champion
* 2006 US Open of Submission Grappling (Class B) Advanced Division Champion
* 2005 Pan American Games of Submission Grappling Advanced Division Champion
* 2005 Pan American Games of Submission Grappling Absolute Silver Medalist
* 2005 Grapplers Quest VII (Class A) Advanced Division Champion
* 2005 Grapplers Quest VII (Class B) Advanced Division Champion
Gi Feminino - Runner up
* 2004 Grapplers Quest VI Advanced Division Champion
* 2004 Grapplers Quest VI Absolute Silver Medalist
* U.S. Open Professional Women ™s Division Champion 2004
* U.S. Open 2003 Champion
* Pan American No-Gi Championships 2003 Champion
* Tito Ortiz Submission Wrestling Invitational 2003 Champion
* Grappling Games 2003 No-Gi Champion
* Copa Pacifica 2003 Champion
* California State Championships 2002 Champion
* Grappling Games 2001 Champion


Mike Ortiz

www.mikeortiz.com

In 1992, Mike Ortiz began his training in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rickson Gracie, who is well known for introducing the sport to the United States. Mike competed in several tournaments under the instruction of Gracie and went beyond his normal training to become experienced in advanced self-defense and representative training. By 1998, Mike was asked to be an Official Representative of the Rickson Gracie International Jiu-Jitsu Association and now ranks as a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
To achieve his dream of passing on the spirit and sport to others, Mike began teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to all ages, he also taught classes for Law Enforcement, as well as women’s self-defense. Through teaching, Mike compiled a Competitive Team of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students that took top honors at tournaments across Southern California.

In teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mike believes people of all ages and skill levels can be successful and excel both mentally and physically. As the world of Martial Arts continues to evolve, Mike looks forward to contributing his knowledge to Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy.


Hector Pena
Hector “The Aztec Warrior” Pena is an 11 time World Champion holding the WKBA World Title, ISKA World Title, WKA-USA Welter Weight World Title, K.I.C.K. Inter-Continental Welter Weight World Title, DRAKA World Title, and K-1 World Title. Hector has trained with such legends as Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, Gene Le Belle, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Bas Rutten and Peter Cunningham.

Brian Peterson
Brian Peterson was introduced to the sport of wrestling his sophomore year at Channel Islands High School. His senior year he was co-captain of the varsity team and finished his high school career as the second best wrestler in Ventura County at 119 pounds. After graduation, Brian quickly fell in love with the art of Brazilian jiujitsu and the Ultimate Fighting Championship through Robert Ferguson.With his wrestling background aiding his progression, Brian quickly learned the intricate details that make the art of jiu-jitsu effective.

He successfully competed in many no-gi style jiu-jitsu tournaments. Brian then became the Kage Kombat Featherweight Champion in December of 2001. Since then Brian has become the head referee for World Grappling Games grappling tournaments. He now guides the kids wrestling program in addition to the new MMA fight team for BJMUTA.

*Pan American Submission Wrestling Champion in 2000 (Advanced)
*Kage Kombat Featherweight Champion (Pancrase)2001
*World Grappling Games 2001 National No-gi Jiu-jitsu Champion (Advanced)
*World Grappling Games 2003 National No-gi Jiu-jitsu Runner-up (Advanced)
*Copa Invitational Featherweight No-gi Jiu-jitsu Champion and Open Weight Champion 2003
*Nevertap 145 lb. Pro Division Tournament Champion 2004
*Grapplers Quest Nationals 139.9 lb. Runner-up 2007
*First USA Grappling World Team Trials Qualifier Champion 2007
*First USA Grappling World Team Trials 5th place 2007

*Cornered and helped train UFC veterans Jeremy Jackson, Karo Parisyan, and Lodune Sincaid
*10 years of high school coaching experience
*Tri-County All Star Coach for the Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling teams
*14 years of competitive experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Freestyle and Greco Roman Wrestling, and Mixed Martial Arts.

 

Cliff Penick
Cliff began Judo in 1970 at the Hollywood YMCA under Bob Ota. Cliff earned his 1st Degree black belt in Judo in 1986. Since then, Cliff has earned his 4th Degree black belt and has been fortunate to train in Judo under many great Sensi such as: Hayward Nishioka, Ken Osugi, Steve Seck, Jason Morris, Eddie Liddie, Micky Matsimoto, Christine Lincoln Penick, Joey Nawa, Tony Mojica, and Goker Chivichyan. Cliff has also trained in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu under Mike Ortiz. Cliff has competed Nationally and Internationally for over 25 years, before retiring from competition in 2004.
 

Lou Salseda

www.salseda.com

During the mid 70’s, Lou started training under Master Takayuki Soke Kubota, 10th Dan Gosoku-Ryu. In the early 1990's, Lou continued his training under Sensei Ken Penland a Shorin Ryu Ju Jitsu and Shorin Ryu Matsumura Kenpo Karate Master. In 1993, while still training with Sensei Penland, Lou met the legendary Machado brothers Jean Jacques and John. Lou was intrigued by the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu methods used by these brothers to control and submit their opponents. He began training at a local Machado Dojo to test his ground fighting skills and found there was much to learn.
His training steadily increased from one day a week to three, then four, and then five. In June of 2001, Lou received his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Jean Jacques Machado.

In 2006 Lou, a Black Belt in both Japanese and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, was greatly honored by being inducted into the Masters Hall Of Fame. This honor recognized Lou’s significant life long dedication to the martial arts and training others in the way of the warrior.


Todd White
Since 1994, Todd White has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Jean Jacques Machado. Receiving his Black Belt in 2004, Todd has traveled the world; from Brazil, Australia and Japan training, competing, and teaching the sport he loves.
After teaching at Jean Jacques’ School for the past 4 years, we are excited to add him to Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy team as a Grappling Instructor.

Danny M. Andrade
Danny M. Andrade demonstrates passion when pursuing his aspirations, one being to become part of an elite Mixed Martial Arts facility. Not only achieving a long-time goal of working and training out of his community, but also being brought on board as a wrestling coach by the legendary Big John McCarthy himself. The Ultimate Training Academy requires instructors to meet strict standards. Danny has done just that by brining his experiences to the front and center.
Among many achievements, Andrade is an accomplished Loan Officer, a personal trainer/fitness instructor, has developed 200+ U.S. Marines in MMA. He was named Coach of the Year for two consecutive years, which was an effect of producing the first National Championship for the state of Texas. Also, attaining two state championship titles in Freestyle Wresting, he has dedicated many hours to coaching in inner city youth wresting programs in the San Fernando Valley.