Mike Gross:

Sami:
* BJJ 4-stripe Purple Belt (Arthur Ruff)

* Muay Thai Coach under Mike Gross

* 1st Degree Black Belt Kickboxing
* Conditioning/Competition Coach
 for Columbus MMA
* Many years of Muay Thai, grappling and conditioning experience

* Instructor of the advanced Muay Thai class

* Instructor of the morning Muay Thai/BJJ Class
* Coached many kickboxing and Muay Thai champions
* Gym Manager

 

Tony Jayme:
* Full instructor in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Richard Bustillo

* Head Instructor of Filipino Martial Arts & Jeet Kune Do Club at OSU

* 2nd degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima/Eskrido under Grandmaster Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete

* BJJ 4-stripe Purple Belt (Arthur Ruff)

* Black Belt Kickboxing

* 4-time World Kali Champion (filipino stickfighting)

* Professional MMA fighter

* Over 16 years competition experience in Kickboxing, BJJ, MMA and Stickfighting

* Certified Personal Trainer 


 
Justin Kennedy:
* BJJ 2-stripe Purple Belt (Arthur Ruff)
* Kids Grappling Instructor
* MMA, Muay Thai and BJJ competitor
* Former wrestler
* Strength and Conditioning Experience

Mike Cheney:
* BJJ 2 Stripe Blue Belt (Arthur Ruff)
* Muay Thai and BJJ competitor
* Kids Muay Thai Instructor
* Wrestling Experience
* Strength and Conditioning Experience

Dave Freetag:

Tim Davis:

Doug Jones:

Will no longer be instructing with us.  We wish them well in all their endeavors.

AFFILIATIONS

Arthur Ruff

Arthur Ruff is originally from Brazil, has been training in the martial arts since he was five years old, starting with the art of Judo. He trained in Judo for over ten years under Oswaldo Simoes, the first Brazilian to receive a gold medal at the Judo World University Championships. During that time Arthur won numerous competitions that include the Brazilian National and State Judo Championships for the Jr. division.

At the age of 13, he was introduced to the art of Jiu-jitsu and started training under Jiu-Jitsu legend Luiz Carlos Dias, better known as “Manimal.” Manimal is a black belt under another legend of the sport, Professor Carlson Gracie. Manimal acquired his nickname because he was an “animal” of a man whose aggressive style helped him beat competitors much larger than himself. Arthur looked up to Manimal and learned much from him. Arthur’s competitive nature and similar aggressive style helped him win numerous competitions while on the Carlson Gracie team.

In 1997, he moved to San Diego, California, the hometown of his father. Since he moved to the United States, he has been training under another of Carlson Gracie’s black belts, Rodrigo Medeiros, founder of the BJJ Revolution Team. Rodrigo and Arthur are good friends and Arthur continued to progress and learn while training under and teaching for Rodrigo. Rodrigo has helped Arthur polish his style and bring his Jiu-Jitsu game to a higher level.

Sifu Richard Bustillo

Internationally recognized as an expert in the martial arts, Richard Bustillo is frequently sought after to conduct seminars throughout the world. Drawing from over 45 years of experience, Bustillo possesses a wealth of knowledge and a very unique and motivating teaching style. With a long list of accomplishments and credentials, Bustillo is a member of Black Belt's 1989 Hall of Fame - Co-Instructor of the Year, an inductee to the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Martialinfo.com 2001 Hall of Fame, and United States Martial Arts 2002 Hall of Fame. Richard Bustillo is a certified law enforcement defensive tactics instructor and a member of the American Society of Law Enforcement trainers. He is also certified with the Olympic Training Center as a coach and official with USA Boxing, and a Kru in Muay Thai. Credited as being one of the major contributors to revive the Filipino Martial art of Kali/Eskrima/Arnis, Bustillo is recognized by the Council of Grandmasters of the Philippines as Ninth degree Black Belt (Grandmaster) in Doce Pares Eskrima. However, he is best known for his training under Bruce Lee and Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.

Along with all of the above accomplishments The IMB Academy was awarded the nations "best eclectic school" by Black Belt Magazines industry awards for 2006.

If you would like to email Sifu Richard S. Bustillo, you can reach him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

see more about the IMB gym at http://www.imbacademy.com

Kru Walter "Sleeper" Michalowski.

Columbus MMA is proud to be affiliated with world famous Sityodtong U.S.A. under Kru Walter "Sleeper" Michalowski. Kru Walt has been making annual trips to Columbus since 2000. His last trip was October 2009 to a packed house. Instructors and students try to go out to LA and train with Kru Walt when possible.

Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is the national sport of Thailand, and is an extremely effective self defense method as well as an excellent way to stay physically fit. A high energy workout focusing on cardiovascular conditioning, pad work, striking technique, clinch work and sparring.

Muay Thai is a destructive form of kickboxing that will get you in great physical condition while learning to effectively use punches, kicks, knees, elbows and clinch work for the ring or to defend yourself. Kru Walt is a 7 time belt holder in different organizations including the UWMTA. He has also competed and won in Thailand on national television. Kru Walt still trains in Thailand at least once a year and often has Muay Thai greats at his gym in Pasadena for seminars such as Gongtalanee and Samart Payakaroon, considered by many to be two of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time.

For more information about Sityodtong U.S.A., please visit http://sityodtongusa.com/