A direct line to the Gracie family
Our Professor's black belt traces straight back to the family that gave the art to the world — the foundation everything taught here is built on.
Meet your coaches
Kevin Breeden
Black Belt · ProfessorKevin began training in 2005 and has competed in Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA. He's a 1st-degree black belt under Toney Waldecker, himself a 6th-degree black belt under Relson Gracie — putting Kevin's lineage in a direct line to one of the founding families of the art. Competing across disciplines taught him that success lives in the details. Known for a well-rounded game, he is strong in both top and bottom positions, and prides himself on being technically sound wherever needed. He coaches every level, from first-timers to seasoned competitors. Put in the work, and he'll make sure no detail gets left behind.
Neil Johnson
Brown Belt · CoachNeil brings more than two decades on the mats with an elite wrestling background to match. A former Virginia State Champion and Division I national qualifier at George Mason University, he carried those skills into the cage, competing professionally on national stages including Bellator. He now focuses on developing the next generation, specializing in adapting high-level wrestling for MMA — takedowns, cage work, and top control. Whether you're an aspiring competitor or a beginner building a foundation, Neil's detail-driven coaching is where he makes the difference.
Mike Pendlebury
Purple Belt · CoachMike began training in 2020 and has competed in Muay Thai, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu. He has spent his entire training and competition career under Disciple MMA. Mike earned his purple belt from Professor Adam Levy and continues to train under Professor Kevin Breeden. He's the captain of the Disciple MMA competition team and has coached and cornered in every discipline. Mike learned who he is through martial arts, and believes that if you work hard and trust the process, you can find what you're looking for.
Estefano Altamirano
Purple Belt · CoachEstefano is a native of Peru, where he began his training before moving to the United States. A dedicated competitor on the local circuit, he has also tested himself against top talent through national promotions such as Fight 2 Win. Estefano brings a unique skill set to the coaching staff, with a methodical approach to breaking down positions that makes even complex techniques easy for students to understand.