Past Rollin’ Instructors
Meet Our Past World-Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructors
Lucas Lepri(2018)
Lucas is universally recognized as a living legend in BJJ as a 6-time world champion. He holds the distinction of winning the four tournaments as a black belt – Worlds, Pan Ams, Euros, and Brazilian Nationals – as well as No-Gi Worlds and No-Gi Pan Ams. Lucas will be teaching his signature competition-proven techniques at the 2018 Santa Teresa Beach Camp.
Fabio Clemente(2016,2017,2018,2019,2020)
one of the early pioneers of BJJ in New York City in the early 90’s . He brought over both Marcello Garcia and Lucas Lepri from Brazil to the U.S. aprts from being a legen in the BJJ Community her is just a real cool dude. HIs daughter Vedha placed third in the no gi worl championships.
Kevin Sheridan (2016 - Present)
Kevin Sheridan began studying the art of Jiu Jitsu in 2001 under instructor Fabio Clemente. Kevin literally stumbled into the sport after opening the wrong door in search of a Capoeria class.
More about Kevin
"I was looking for my Sister's Capoeria class and opened the door to see guys rolling around in Karate outfits. I asked the instructor what they were doing, he replied Jiu -Jitsu. I thought to myself that’s a funny name, I've never heard of that... so I decided to take a roll as they say. Black Belt Fabio Clemente gave me a whooping, and I was hooked. I had not experienced a workout like that since college wrestling practice. It was fun."
Kevin has been studying under Fabio and other Master Alliance Instructors. Former and current instructors include Marcelo Garcia, considered to be the world’s most technically skilled Jiu- Jitsu fighter, Babs Olusanmokun, and Lucas Lepri. Kevin was awarded his Brown Belt in 2008, and 5 months later placed second at the World Championships. Kevin Sheridan received his black belt from Fabio Clemente of Alliance New York December of 2010. After moving back to Jersey after living in NYC, Kevin opened Flying Arm Bar Jiu- Jitsu (Alliance New Jersey) to have a competitive studio to train locally. Kevin is devoted to teaching simple yet effective techniques. He enjoys exposing new people to the art of the sport of the Jiu -Jitsu. Kevin lives in Maplewood New Jersey with his wife Heather and son Phineas and is the owner and operator of Rutgers Painting.
Javier Valenciano (2024)
Javier is a Black belt under Daniel Gracie. Born and raised in San Jose Costa Rica , he is the Head Coach at Athletic Advance.
Coach to Bellator , One FX and Lux Fight League MMA fighters
Former coach at Krazy Bee Tokyo.
4-0 professional MMA record.
Multiple time AJP open, World Pro trials, IBJJF open black belt gold medalist.
Juan Barrentes
Juan is a second degree Black Belt under Renzo Gracie.
Founding member of the renowned Athletic Advanced Academy in San Jose, with over 15 years experience developing practitioners through their whole Jiu Jitsu journey, including kids that developed into professional atheletes.
As a professional MMA fighter Juan fought around the globe for the biggest promotions, training and sharing knowledge with elite talent from all different fighting disciplines.
Because of his career related injuries Juan found Yoga. Through his practice he found a way to heal his body and began to incorporate Yoga into his daily training routine. As he realized the power of Yoga, he continued studying and became a certified Yoga teacher under Yoga Mandir School and has continued his study with Stefano Allegri in Santa Teresa.
Nelson Puentes (2016, 2017)
Nelson Puentes began his journey into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007. At the suggestion of his close friend Dave, he entered his first tournament only one month after his training began, and he never looked back. Nelson has been a mat rat ever since, and now has the experience of over 100 tournament matches under his belt. Nelson is a multiple time Grapplers Quest and NAGA champion, a bronze medalist at the Pan Americans, as well as a NY Open champion, and Boston Open champion. He currently holds the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and a Brown belt in Judo. He remains an active competitor and devout student of both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Hillary Witt (2016, 2017)
Hillary started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2005. She has trained with some of the most prominent instructors in the sport. While she lived on the west coast she trained with Saulo and Xande Ribeiro as well as Andre Galvao. Hillary even tried her hand at MMA and spent a year training and teaching BJJ at Alliance MMA – one of the premiere MMA schools in the country.
Hillary is an accomplished competitor in Brazilian Jitu Jitsu having won both gi and no gi World Championships at Purple Belt. She also has multiple Grapplers Quest titles and is a Judo Nationals champion. She also has teaching experience at all age levels and looks forward to sharing her love and knowledge of the Gentle Art with you.
David Phimsipasom
David Phimsipasom is a BJJ Black Belt under Kevin Sheridan. Head Instructor of Maximum Athletics in Dunellen, New Jersey USA. Dave has been training jiu jitsu for the past 8 years and also an active competitor locally and the championship stage. A well rounded fighter who not only competes but loves teaching to the beginner jiu jitsu athlete to the expert level for all their needs. Dave looks forward to training and relaxing with everyone who comes out to Santa Theresa, Costa Rica camp!
Fernando Moya(2016-Present)
Fernando is one of the most recognized Costa Rican black belts. He was given his black belt by John Danaher in NYC in 2012. He resides in San Jose, Costa Rica when he is not traveling around the world teaching seminars.
Kuba Sawicki (2016, 2017,
2018)
Kuba is a 1st degree black belt under the legendary Braulio Estimaand owner of Manto fight gear. He was an active competitor, making the podium at Euros and the World Pro Jiu Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi at brown belt. Now he's living the jiu-jitsu lifestyle, traveling around the world to teach, train, and surf.
James Harbison(2020 - 2022)
James Harbison was born in 1991, he began training wrestling early through his school’s sporting program. As he reached high school he changed to a catholic school that did not offer wrestling and as an alternative James’ father proposed practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Halfway through his freshman year he took his parent’s advice and joined a BJJ
academy. Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu quickly took over Harbison’s extracurricular time and by the end of 2009, Jimmy decided to move to Lloyd Irvin’s training camp where he would have better sparring partners and a more professional atmosphere. Upon taking this big step in his life, he decided to go “underground” cutting all the distractions of his life (including his facebook account) in order to stay focused on his ultimate goal of becoming a world Jiu Jitsu champion. His hard work paid off in 2011 as he won every major tournament in the brown belt middleweight division, also showing an excellent presence in tournaments such as the ADCC and the World Pro Cup that same year. He received his black belt from Lloyd Irvin on June 2011, shortly after his Mundial win.
Fred Silva (2022)
Fred began training jiu jitsu when he was 16 years old in his hometown of Brasilia, Brazil. In August 2015, he relocated to Charlotte to instruct full time alongside his cousin Lucas Lepri. Fred received his back belt from Lucas Lepri in December 2016.
Achievements
2017 IBJJF Houston Open 2nd Place (Black belt)
2017 IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open 3rd Place (Black belt)
2016 IBJJF Charlotte Open Champion (Brown belt)
2016 UEAJJ NY Pro Trial Champion (Brown belt)
2016 IBJJF No-Gi Pan American 3rd Place (Brown belt)
2015 IBJJF Atlanta Open Gi & No-Gi Champion (Brown belt)
2015 IBJJF Rio Pro 3rd Place (Brown belt)
2015 IBJJF NY Pro 3rd Place (Brown belt)
2014 CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Champion (Brown belt)
2013 IBJJF No-Gi World 3rd Place (Brown belt)
2012 IBJJF Brasilia Open 2nd Place (Purple belt)
2012 IBJJF Pan American No-gi 3rd Place (Purple belt)
2009 IBJJF South American 2nd Place (Blue belt)
2008 CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (Blue belt)