Instructors

Master Mauricio Zingano – M.M.A. & B.J.J. Head Coach

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – 3rd Degree Black Belt

Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter

Muay Thai Kick Boxing – Black Rank

Master Zingano began training in Martial Arts at age 10 doing Karate and Judo. At 16 years old he began taking Jiu Jitsu lessons from the world famous Gracie brothers.

Master Zingano was fortunate enough to learn from Rickson, Rorion, Rolker, Relson and Royce Gracie for many years and also from the patriarch of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gracie Jiu Jitsu), Master Helio Gracie.

Not only he was taught the art of Jiu Jitsu but more importantly he received private training form Grand Master Helio Gracie himself on how to teach Jiu Jitsu. He began teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the young age of 17.

Master Zingano learned directly from the source of Gracie Jiu Jitsu and defended the honor of the Gracie family in several occasions during the “Gracie Challenge Matches”, where black belts and experts from other disciplines such as Karate, Tae Know Do, Kung Fu, Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai, Shoot Fighting, Sambo and many others would come in to the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy and have No Holds Barred matches against the Gracie Jiu Jitsu fighters. In this challenges matches Master Zingano fought without hesitation opponents who out weight him by as much as 100lbs and were over a foot taller than him never suffering a single defeat. He was known as one of the “gate keepers” at the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy during an era where bouts were fought without protective gear, weight classes and on a moment’s notice.

Over the years Master Zingano also studied Wrestling, Boxing and Muay Thai Kick Boxing and fought in numerous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitions. He became a two time national BJJ champion and remained undefeated in MMA having had over 30 amateur and professional bouts.

In 2004 Master Zingano moved to Denver and established his first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Westminster.

He was also the founder of the Rocky Mountain Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation, an organization that promoted and organized local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Grappling tournaments, helping the growth of the sport in Colorado.

Master Zingano teaches daily between both Zingano Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academies in Broomfield and Brighton and in 2010 he was voted “Colorado’s MMA Coach of the Year.”

Master Zingano has leaded his Team to win 10 State Championships, 4 National Cup Championships and several other prestigious titles in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Grappling. He has made in to champions many of his fighters who had never had any previous MMA experience.

Master Zingano own wife, Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter Cat Zingano, is one of the top ranked MMA fighters in the world toda

Coach Cat Zingano – Wrestling & Fitness Boot Camp Head Coach

4 Time Wrestling All American & National Champion

BJJ World Champion

Top Ranked MMA Champion & UFC Fighter

Coach Cat Zingano is one of the top ranked MMA fighters in the world today and she will be making her UFC debut on April 13th, 2013.

She currently holds 3 professional titles in MMA at 125lb (Ring of Fire), 125lb (Fight to Win) & 135lb (Ring of Fire) and has defeated in dominant fashion BJJ Black Belt’s and top ranked MMA fighters Carina Damm and Takayo Hashi.

She is began her combative career at age 12 with Wrestling, where she became a 4 Time All American & 4 Time National Champion among many other accolades.

Her Mixed Martial Arts career also began in 2007. Coach Cat is set to make her UFC debut on April 13th, 2013 against former Strike Force champion Meisha Tate.

Coach Cat has also recently won a Professional Thai Boxing match in Thailand, making her a Professional competitor in 3 combat sports, BJJ, MMA & Muay Thai.

For more information on her Women’s Only Fitness Boot Camp visit her website at:
www.alphacatbootcamp.com

Professor Matt Simms – M.M.A. & B.J.J. – Asst. Head Coach

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Black Belt

Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter

Muay Thai Kick Boxing – Black Rank

Professor Simms began his training under Master Zingano in 2004 and has since become one of the top BJJ and MMA fighters in Colorado, holding 3 MMA titles at 155lbs and multiple Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Grappling State titles. He has been teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA since 2006.

Matt is a dedicated instructor and very proficient at passing on all of his skills to his students and training partners and has helped coach many of our top fighters to succeed in MMA, BJJ and Thai Boxing.

Professor Simms is a great motivator and constantly pushes his students towards their goals, regardless if they want to become a champion, lose weight, achieve their next rank or simply become for fit and confident.

He is our head MMA & BJJ coach at our Brighton location which he owns and operates.

Kru Mark “The Hyena” Beecher

Kru Beecher is our head Muay Thai coach, a veteran with over 15 years of coaching and fighting Thai Boxing experience. He has fought all over the world and coached some of the most successful Thai Boxers and UFC fighters in the world, including Kevin Ross, Forrest Griffin, Vinny Magalhaes, Matt Brown, Robert Drysdale and many more. He has coached many fighters to win the worlds most prestigious titles such as UFC, M1, WBC and IFL among others.

During season 7 of the “Ultimate Fighter” (TUF) Kru Mark worked as a coach along side with Forrest Griffin and in the season finale coached Forrest Griffin in his victory over Rampage Jackson to win the UFC Light Heavy Weight title.

He has vast experience not only in Muay Thai, but also in Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu having successfully competed in both. Kru Mark is a USMTA, WKA and IMTF Muay Thai National Champion.

Professor Mike Mendel

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Black Belt

Professor Mendel began his training under Master Zingano in 2004. He has been teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2006. He is also a nurse at the Children’s Hospital in Denver.

Professor Mike is literally a BJJ encyclopedia! Always seeking more information, Professor Mike is constantly studying the art by either watching instructional videos, reading book about it or simply spending lots of time at open mat trying new moves and variations of old moves.

Professor Hans Thompson

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Black Belt
Muay Thai Kick Boxing – Purple Rank

Professor Thompson began his training in his native Arizona before moving to Japan where he continued to train and fight. He began training with Master Zingano in 2006. Professor Hans is also a commentator for the Japanese MMA shows Senguko, K-1 and Dream and works on the “Inside MMA” TV show on HDNet.

Professor Josh Ford

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – 1st Degree Black Belt

Josh began his BJJ career under Professor Dave Ruiz and received his BJJ Black Belt from Master Zingano in 2009. He is a Pro MMA fighter and a nutritionist as well.

Coach Dan Bentz

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Purple Belt
Muay Thai Kick Boxing – Brown Rank

Coach Adam Romero

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Purple Belt

Coach Jesse Cohen

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Purple Belt

Coach David Bollinger

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Purple Belt
Judo – Black Belt

Coach Cory Kuechler

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Purple Belt
Muay Thai Kick Boxing – Blue Rank

Coach Daymar Ortiz

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Blue Belt
Muay Thai Kick Boxing – Blue Rank

Coach J Keven Hernandez

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – Blue Belt
Muay Thai Kick Boxing – Brown Rank
MMA Champion at 145lb – #1 Ranked in Colorado