BRAD THOMPSON
Academy Owner & Black Belt
At the age of 49 he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and proudly received his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. in 2003 and his Fourth degree Black Belt in 2019. Brad competed for four consecutive years after starting the sport. During that time he won four consecutive Master’s World Championship titles and earned 6 gold Medals. He opened OBJJ in 2011 to bring in the best talent to Orlando and further the skills of his friends and members. Brad has a passion for helping everyone learn, improve and reach their goals.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2022 Pan American Champion
2020 Second Place World Master Champion
2020 First Place Pan Master Champion
2018 Second Place World Master Champion
2017 First Place World Master Champion
2015 Miami Open World Master Absolute Champion
2014 Second Place World Master
2014 Pan American Champion
2013 Pan American Champion
2012 Pan American Champion
2006 Pan American Champion Open Class Silver
LAKEA VARGAS
Head Judo Instructor
Kids Instructor
Lakea Vargas is a highly skilled and accomplished black belt under Shinjiro Sasaki in Judo. He won the Jr. Olympic Nationals in 2018 and now currently represents team USA on the Sr. Olympic Judo team. At only 24 years old, he is working hard to make it to the Olympics one day. He also is a accomplished competitor in Jiu-Jitsu, and holds a black belt rank. Lakea is passionate about both sports and attributes his success in competition to his cross-training.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2021 US Open Bronze Medal
2021 IBJJF Oklahoma city Silver Medal
2020 Orlando Open Silver Medal
2018 Senior World Team - Budapest, Hungary
2018 U.S. Junior World Team
2018 Gold Junior Scholastics Nationals
2018 Gold U.S. Junior Olympic Nationals
2018 Pan Am Championships Seniors Bronze Costa Rica
2018 U.S. Pan American Team - Cancun, Mexico
World Championships Budapest, Hungary - 9th place
2018 World Cup Dominican Republic Silver
2017 Chile Continental Championships - 5th place
2018 Pan American open Argentina - Bronze
2017 World Cup El Salvador - Bronze
2016 Gold Miami Open Absolute Juniors BJJ
2016 Gold Blue Belt Juniors BJJ
2016 US Open - 1st Place
2016 Junior Olympics 1st place
2015 US Cadet World Team SARAJEVO, BOSNIA
DENILSON PIMENTA
Co-Head Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Denilson Pimenta is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under the famous instructor Julio Cesar, of the Grappling Fight Team (GFT). Pimenta is regarded as one of the top featherweight competitors of his generation.
Denilson grew up on the Favela’s in Rio de Janeiro and started training Jiu Jitsu in 1991 as a way to occupy his spare time, in order to focus on something positive and escape the dangers of falling victim to crime.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2020 1st Place World Master Champion
2020 1st Place Pan Master Champion
2019, 2018 Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Champion
2017 Brazilian National Champion
2016 IBJJF World Master Champion
2016 IBJJF Brazilian National Champion
2015 IBJJF World Master Champion
2014 IBJJF World Master Champion
2013 IBJJF World Master Champion
2009 Rio Open Champion
2009 Brazilian National, Bronze
2009 IBJJF European Champion
2009 World Cup, Bronze
2008 World No-Gi Silver Medallist
J D Robbins
Head Wrestling Instructor, Sambo Instructor and General Manager
J.D. Robbins (Head Coach)
USA Wrestling National Coach of the year
International Coach; USA Wrestling
Staff Worker; 1998 Goodwill Games
Staff Worker; 1996 & 2000 Olympic Games
Head Coach; California Jets; 14 Time Senior National Champions
Gold Level Certified Coach; USA Wrestling
Coached Tour De Mons Teams
3-time USA Wrestling Coach of the Year; California
Coached Fila Junior World Team
Coached Senior World Team Sambo
National Coaches Education Program Director & Instructor; Florida
California National Team Head Coach
US Open Senior National Wrestling Championship; Director
3-Time National Wrestling Coaching Association Coach of the Year; Florida
Coached Fila Cadet World Team
Florida Wrestling Coaches Association; President
Coach of the Year; National High School Wrestling Coaches Association; Southwest Region
Florida National Team Head Coach
Man of the Year; Police Athlete League
Head Coach; Oviedo Wrestling Team
Founder; Florida Jets Wrestling Club
Head Coach; University of Central Florida 2013- Present
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
International Coach; USA Wrestling
Head Coach; California Jets; 14 Time Senior National Champions
Coached Senior World Team Sambo
National Coaches Education Program Director & Instructor; Florida
Florida Wrestling Coaches Association; President
Coach of the Year; National High School Wrestling Coaches
Man of the Year; Police Athlete League
Head Coach; Oviedo Wrestling Team
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
USA Boxing Certified Coach
Jack Bradford Champ- Brown Belt
Jack Bradford Silver Medalist- Black Belt
AZ State Judo Champ- Brown Belt x2
AZ State Silver Medalist- Black Belt
AZ State Bronze Medalist Open Division
Judo Black Belt
Jhovon Heggie
Head Boxing Coach, Judo Assistant Coach
Jhovon first entered a gym at the age of 12. His coach, Rick Burns at Blue Corner Boxing, had produced two world champions that year. Jhovon spent years living and breathing boxing, losing more than 70 pounds while working with champions both professional and amateur. Through the years his coach mentored him in the craft of mitt work and coaching. Now armed with 17 years of boxing knowledge, he joins us at OBJJ to run our boxing program. Coach Von is also an experienced competing judoka. He started judo in 2011 and reached the level of Black belt. He will frequently help teach judo classes at our academy.
Marcos Briones
Kids and Adults Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Marcos Briones is a former MMA fighter who started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2010 around Matt Arroyo. Marcos has had multiple fights in MMA and fully gave up the sport due to becoming a father.
Marcos took a break and came back to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2018. Then moved to Orlando where he joined OBJJ in 2020. Marcos brings a unique style to BJJ and was promoted to brown belt in 2021.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Blue Belt - Matt Arroyo
Purple Belt - Joey Best
Brown Belt - Brad Thompson & Denilson Pimenta
Bronze - Orlando Open 2022
2nd Place Overall Kids Grappling Industry 2021
Professional MMA Fighter
Anthony Rivera
Head Muay Thai Instructor, Co-Head MMA Instructor, and Bootcamp Instructor
Coach Anthony started his martial arts journey at the young age of 7, studying karate and earning his black belt at 18. He then ventured into Muay Thai, where he achieved remarkable success, winning multiple titles. Coach Anthony brings a unique blend of traditional Muay Thai, Dutch kickboxing, and modern techniques to his classes. With a strong emphasis on the clinch and expertise in all 5 Muay Thai styles, he provides a well-rounded training experience. In addition, Anthony has 20 years of powerlifting experience and leads our boot camp class. Furthermore, he is the Co-Head coach of our New MMA program, boasting 5 years of experience and having trained alongside renowned fighters from UFC, One Championship, and Bellator.
Accomplishments
Goju Ryu Black Belt
- Karate US Open Champion
- Multiple-time Muay Thai Champion
- NASAM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt
2020 Orlando Open
Pan American 2020 3rd place
Brown Belt, Denilson Pimenta and Fabio Caram
Purple Belt, Brad Thompson and Fabio Caram
Blue Belt, Leo Gocking and Mike Budnik (MMA)
Cleber Machado
Brown Belt BJJ
Cleber trained judo 30 years ago. Later in life, a friend invited him for a BJJ training session in his garage and his love for the sport continued. Cleber has been training consistently for the last 8 years. At 42, Cleber is back on training Judo with Sensei Lakea Vargas — showing that there is no limit to stop learning and growing.
GARY LENTZ
Co-Head Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Gary started training jiu jitsu at 30 years old and has been training every day since then. Now a black belt and experienced instructor, Gary always bring the energy, good vibes, and a wealth of knowledge that he learned under all his professors, most notably, Marcelo Garcia.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Black Belt, Brad Thompson
Brown Belt, Leo Kirby
Purple Belt, Marcelo Garcia
Blue Belt, Marcos Santos
Multiple gold medals from NAGA, Grappler’s Quest, Newbreed, Grappling Industries, Copa America and more
GEORDAN SPEILLER
Adult and
Kids Instructor
2019-2020 Team USA ranking: No. 3 at 82 kg/181 lbs.
Years on Team USA: 3 (2016-17, 2018-2020)
Residence: Oviedo, Fla.
Club: Florida Jets
College: University of Central Florida
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas
Born: March 31, 1993
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Olympic Trails Finalist
2x U.S. Open Champ
World Team Member
3x State Champ