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