PROFESSOR AMAL EASTON - Chief Instructor (Owner)

Amal Easton is an American who has studied Brazilian Jiu-jitsu since 1992. One of few Americans living in Rio de Janeiro, Amal Trained and competed at the Gracie Barra Academy for three and a half years beginning in 1995.

Amal was only the seventh person to receive their black belt from legendary competitor and instructor, Renzo Gracie. Renzo and Carlos Gracie Jr. have endorsed Amal's ability and authorized him to teach the art. Amal also credits Helio 'Soneca' Moreira, Roberto ' Gordo' Correia, Jose 'Zebeleza' Teixera, Team Renzo Gracie, Barra Gracie, Ricardo Almeida, And Carlos Machado for their excellent instruction, continued support and help along the way.

Amal has also studied at ‘Warrior Priest Arts’ learning Muai-Thai for 12 years under Thai National Champion Arjan "Chai" Sirisute and Doug Pandorf. He continues his Muai Thai studies under Duane "Bang" Ludwig.

Amal has traveled for many years and continues to do so to learn the essence of this outstanding self-defense system. Today, he is ready to transmit his knowledge in its purest form (as taught to him from the source) to the dedicated people who are searching for a practical, effective knowledge of self-defense.

Amal also has a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and practiced as a licenced acupuncturist.

AWARDS:

• 1996 Pan-American Silver medallist
• 1997 Brazilian National Champion
• 1999 Pan-American Bronze medallist
• 2002 Pan-American Gold medallist
• 2002 USA Team Trials 1st place (Middleweight)
• 2002 USA Team Trials Absolute Black Belt Champion
• 2002 Grapplers Quest-West Silver medallist
• 2003 IGJJF Open 3rd place
• 2003 USA vs. Brazil Gold medallist
• 2003 Pan-American Bronze medallist
• 2004 Pan-American Gold medallist
• 2004 Pan-American absolute black belt Champion
• 2006 International masters tournament Champion
• 2007 Pan-American absolute black belt Champion
• First American National Black Belt Champion

PROFESSOR ELIOT MARSHAL

Eliot Marshal started his martial arts training at the age of 6 in Soo Bahk Do under the instruction of Grand master Hwang kee and Michael Garaguso. Eliot achieved the rank of 3rd degree black belt and went on to win 2nd place at the national tournament in 1997. Eliot began studying Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in October of 1999. Upon graduating C.U. in 2002 with a BA in Mathematics, he devoted himself full time under the direct instruction of Amal Easton. Eliot has gone on to compete and win in many prestigious events. He currently holds the rank of Black Belt.

AWARDS:

• 2001 Pan-American Silver medallist
• 2002 Pan-American Gold medallist
• 2002 USA Team Trials 1st place
• 2002 USA Team Trails 2nd (Absolute)
• 2002 Grapplers Quest West Bronze medallist
• 2003 IGJJF Open Purple belt 1st place
• 2003 IGJJF Open Purple belt Absolute Champion
• 2003 Pan-American Gold medallist
• 2004 IGJJF Brown belt super heavy champion
• 2004 IGJJF brown belt open weight champion
• 2004 adcc north american trials participant
• 2004 GQ North american championships open weight champion
• 2004 #1 Rated absolute weight grappler for the year.
• 2005 Pan American Champion Super heavy weight brown belt
• 2005 GQ USA trials 200-210lb champion
• 5-1 MMA record
• Ring of Fire Light Heavy Weight Champion
• The only American to ever win gold at blue purple and brown at the Pan American games in the adult division.

PROFESSOR NICK KLINE

Nick Kline is a Colorado native who grew up in Thornton, a suburb north of Denver. While attending the University of Colorado at Denver, Nick began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training with Amal in June of 2000. He graduated with a degree in Finance, and decided to focus on training instead of entering the business world. Nick started competing after receiving his blue belt in 2001, and his primary focus was his progression in Jiu-Jitsu. He has been teaching classes at the Boulder Academy since 2004, and he started working at Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu full-time in the summer of 2005. Nick has been a participant in CrossFit an intense cross-training program that is ideal for whole body activities like Jiu-Jitsu. Nick teaches adult classes and conditioning. The conditioning classes are patterned closely to the CrossFit workouts. Nick received his Black Belt from Amal Easton in February of 2007.

AWARDS:

• 2002 Grapplers Quest West Light Heavyweight Champion (Intermediate)
• 2002 Pancrase USA Light-Heavyweight Champion (Advanced)
• 2003 Pancrase USA Light-Heavyweight Champion (Advanced)
• 2003 Pan American Heavyweight Bronze Medalist (Blue Belt)
• 2004 Pan American Heavyweight Gold Medalist (Purple Belt)
• 2004 Grapplers Quest West Light Heavyweight 2nd Place (Advanced)
• 2005 Pancrase USA Light-Heavyweight and Absolute Champion (Advanced)
• 2005 Pan American Heavyweight Gold Medalist (Brown Belt)
• 2005 Grapplers Quest Nationals Light Heavyweight 2nd Place (Advanced)
• 2007 Pancrase USA Light-Heavyweight and Absolute Champion (Advanced)
• 2007 Pan American Heavyweight Bronze Medalist (Black Belt)

Professor Mario Correa Head Instructor - Denver

Mario "Busy" Correa has received his black belt from Gracie Barra patriarch, Carlos Gracie Jr. along with his degree and masters in electrical engineering. In addition to serving as an instructor at the esteemed Gracie Camp, Mario has also traveled extensively to share his knowledge with students in England, Sweden, Southern California and Colorado.

Mario practiced Judo for two years before he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He started training in 1992 with Roberto "Gordo" Correa and Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes and had many others teachers until he joined the main Gracie Barra Academy in 2002. There he got his brown and black belt under Marcio Feitosa and his Master Carlos Gracie Jr.

Teaching and training at the Gracie Camp and Gracie Barra, Mario met all kind of fighters from different parts of the world such as United States, United Kingdom, Poland, France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Uruguay, Japan, Korea, etc. He noticed that the Americans are perfectionists and decided to quit his Engineering job in Brazil to teach Americans this great Martial Art called by many "The Chess Fight".

Check out some of Prof Correa's interviews and videos:

• Mario at onthemat.com
• Interview
• Mario on Youtube

AWARDS:

• 1992 - Intern MBC Tournament - Champion
• 1993 - Rio de Janeiro State Tournament- Champion
• 1993 - Brazilian Nationals - Champion
• 1994 - Bum-Bum Village Tournament- Campeao
• 1995 - Intern Gracie Barra Tournament - Match fight - Champion
• 1995 - IV Novo Leblon Coup - 2nd place
• 1995 - IX Atlantico Sul Coup - Champion
• 1996 - I Cyclone Alfa-Barra Coup - 2nd place
• 1997 - II Cyclone Alfa-Barra Coup - 2nd place
• 1998 - III Cyclone Alfa-Barra Coup - Champion
• 1999 - I BJJ Uniao Coup - 2nd place
• 1999 - Team Brazilian Nationals - 3rd place
• 2004 - Team Brazilian Nationals - 2nd place
• 2007 - Pancrase USA - Lightweight Advanced Champion

Professor Duane "Bang" Ludwig

Duane has been fighting since before he was born according to his mother and has become an Icon in the modern American Kick Boxing/ Muai Thai world. If you have seen fights in Colorado you have seen Duane either fight or you have seen his fighters. Duane also fights in and trains UFC and many of the fighters from today’s top organizations. Don’t however let his MMA and kickboxing accolades scare you, if your not standing across the ring from him he is genuinely one of the nicest and best trainers anywhere!

AWARDS:

• Thai boxing for 13 years
• ISKA Light-Middle Weight World Muay Thai Champion
• UCC Light Weight World Champion
• UFC, K-1, K-1 Romanex, K-1 MAX, ROF, UCC and Strikeforce veteran.
• Unofficial fastest KO in UFC history: .04 secs
• 2X Low Kick Inter-Continental Muay Thai Champion
• K-1 MAX North American Champion
• WKA US Muay Thai Champion
• 2001 National Light Weight Extreme Sport Fighting Champion
• 2000 National Light Weight Extreme Sport Fighting Champion
• IKF Amateur Super Middle Weight Muay Thai Champion
• 1999 IKF Fighter of the Year
• 1999 IKF National Light Middle Weight Muay Thai Champion
• IKKC Middle Weight Amateur Colorado Champion
• 5X Bas Rutten Invitational Muay Thai Tournament Champion

Professor Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1992 while living in Hawaii. He trained under the guidance of Master Relson Gracie for three years while competing in local Jiu-jitsu and Judo tournaments. Upon realizing the impact Jiu-Jitsu had in his life Mark decided to make the art his main focus and moved to Rio De Janeiro to study at the Barra Gracie academy. He spent the next two years studying and competing in Brazil at Carlos Gracie Jr’s Barra Gracie Academy. Professor Helio ‘Soneca’ Moreira (an advanced Black belt under Master Carlos Gracie) took him under his wing and was a strong influence that helped shape Mark’s technique and mindset of Jiu-Jitsu to what it is today. Mark was the first American to receive his Black belt from Soneca in 2003.

Mark has a degree in Accounting from Fort Lewis College.

Mark has always loved teaching and his passion for BJJ is apparent when you see him on the mat!

AWARDS:

• 1992-1995 Various local Hawaii tournaments
• 1995-1997 Various local tournaments in Rio De Janeiro

Coach Chris Kline

Chris Kline received his Bachelors Degree in Mathematics at the University of Colorado at Denver. After graduating he became a middle school math teacher in Lakewood. In the summer of 2007, he decided to pursue a career in teaching jiu-jitsu instead of math. Chris is a Cross fit certified instructor. He currently holds the rank of purplebelt. Chris’s passions include teaching which is obvious when you see him on the mat.

Coach Keegan Byers

Keegan Byers, a Colorado native, started training at Easton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in June of 2003 at the age of 11. Keegan currently holds the rank of green belt, the highest belt youths under the age of 16 can achieve in the Gracie belt system. Keegan started competing in 2004 and is currently one of the top teen competitors on the national competition circuit. One of Keegan’s greatest interests about competing is the family of friends he has developed locally and across the nation and the many cities he has been able to visit. Today, Keegan continues to train full time at Easton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Keegan is an instructor for the kids classes and assists with the adult classes. Jiu Jitsu is his life.

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• 2007 Gold Medalist (closed key) US Nationals of Submission Grappling - BJJ
• 2007 Gold Medalist (closed key) US Nationals of Submission Grappling - No-Gi
• 2006 Gold Medalist US Nationals of Submission Grappling - No-Gi
• 2006 Gold Medalist Vision Quest Grappling Tournament
• 2006 Silver Medalist Colorado State Jiu Jitsu Tournament
• 2006 Silver Medalist City Different Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Challenge
• 2006 Bronze medalist US Nationals of Submission Grappling - BJJ
• 2005 Gold Medalist Pan American Games of Submission Grappling
• 2005 Gold Medalist Grapplers Quest Beast of the East II - No-Gi
• 2005 Silver Medalist Grapplers Quest West VII Championships - BJJ
• 2005 Silver Medalist (x2) Best of the West No-Gi Submission Grappling Tournament
• 2005 Silver Medalist Copa Atlantica Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships
• 2005 Bronze Medalist (x2) Pan American Games of Submission Grappling
• 2005 Bronze Medalist Copa Atlantica Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships
• 2005 Bronze Medalist Grapplers Quest Southeast Submission Grappling Championships
• 2005 Bronze Medalist Grapplers Quest West VII Championships - No-Gi
• 2004 Gold Medalist Grapplers Quest West VI - No-Gi
• 2004 Gold Medalist North American Submission Grappling Championships
• 2004 Silver Medalist Grapplers Quest Southeast Grappling Championships

STATE ACHIEVEMENTS:

• 2006 Colorado State Grappling Champion
• Gold Medalist (11x) Colorado Karate Association (Grappling)
• Silver Medalist (3x) Colorado Karate Association (Grappling)
• Bronze Medalist Colorado Karate Association (Grappling)

Coach Robert Sanchez

Robert Sanchez was born and raised in North Denver. He started his martial arts training at the age of 4 doing Japanese Karate. At the same time Robert decided to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps by dedicating himself to boxing. During his senior year of high school Robert realized that most fights end in the ground so he began practicing Jiu Jitsu with Amal Easton in order to become a well rounded fighter. After competing in several tournaments he decided to dedicate his life to the sport. Sanchez is currently a purple belt and has a special gift for teaching.

AWARDS:

• Pancrase USA Light Weight Silver Medalist
• 2005 Zingano Light Weight Bronze Medalist
• 2006 Colorado State Championships Gold Medalist

Coach Andres Hermida

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Andres started doing judo at the age of 7 and won in several international junior/youth tournaments. After dedicating himself to Enduro Racing in the Dominican Republic, Andres rediscovered his passion for martial arts at Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, Florida. There he started the Eckerd College Judo Club with instructors Gediminas Palkanis and Robert Cockey whom he got his brown belt from. Upon graduation with a degree in International Business, Marketing, and Management Andres moved to Colorado in order to dedicate himself to Jiu Jitsu under the instruction of Amal Easton.

AWARDS:

• 2 Time National Championship Judo Gold Medalist, Santo Domingo
• 2 Time National Judo Team Participant, Santo Domingo
• Yudanshakai USJF Championship Gold Medalist
• 1995 USJI International Invitational Judo Championship Silver Medalist
• 1996 Liberty Bell Judo Classic Judo Silver Medalist
• 1997 Yellowhill Open Judo Tournament Gold Medalist
• 1997 Liberty Bell Judo Classic Bronze Medalist
• 2006 Imperial Dragon Invitational Tournament Gold Medalist

Coach Tyler "Thunder" Toner

Inspired by "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "The Karate Kid", Tyler Toner began his career in the Martial Arts at an early age. He began with Tae Kwon Do at the age of 5, studying for 6 years and winning a national title in the process. He eventually moved on to the art of Jeet Kun Do, training under an early advocate of cross training and Mixed Martial Arts, Jerry Ellefson. It was Ellefson who took Tyler (10 years old at the time) to the very first Ultimate Fighting Championships in Denver; Tyler was mesmerized as he got his first glimpse of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, witnessing the smaller Royce Gracie manhandle his much larger opponents. Ellefson encouraged Tyler to seek out a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructor to continue his growth in Martial arts.

It took about 10 years, but sure enough, while studying at CU Boulder, Tyler came across Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Since early 2003, Tyler has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai at Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He received his blue belt in February of 2005, and fought and won in his first MMA bout in July of the same year. He is currently 6-1 in MMA, and teaches Thai-Boxing and the children's classes at Easton BJJ. Tyler is equally at home teaching a group of 5 year olds or a Thai Boxing class with over twenty adults. Come in and see for your self!

Coach Dave Alestra

David Alestra began his martial arts training in New Jersey under the instuction of Ted Perian at the age of twenty. While back east he received his black belt in Tang Soo Do from master Perian while completing a bachlors degree in religion and philosophy Albright College. During this time he also received his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under John Hassett. David moved to Boulder in 2004 for a masters degree program in psychotherapy at Naropa University. During this time he has studied Jiu-Jitsu and became an instructor under the watch of Amal Easton.

Coach Tony Basile

Tony’s Grandfather moved from Sicily and was a pro Boxer. Tony was a boxing fan and practitioner until 2005 when he fell in love with BJJ. He currently holds the rank of Blue Belt and can be found on the mats daily. His wife Kim and brother Phillip also train at the academy. A patient and detailed instructor such as tony would make any school proud. When BJJ becomes an Olympic sport watch out for the Sicilian Bomber!