Sensei Marcelo Kobayashi is a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kru Level three (Thai Kickboxing), 2nd degree black belt in Judo from the Kodokan in Japan, and he’s 5 and 7 in mixed martial arts in the professional level in Japan.
He also successfully competed in several countries over his career in Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Mixed Martial Arts including Brazil, Japan, and the United States. Due to his victories in different martial arts, he has developed an international reputation as a strong competitor.
In 2005 Marcelo Kobayashi became the Pride Challenge Japan Champion in 75kg Division. Winning the Pride Challenge was important because Pride became part of the UFC and Marcelo winning that was a big step in the international competition. That made his name internationally known in MMA.
He is a very humble man but strong fighter and teacher.
Sensei Johnny Polanco, the Chief Instructor has trained for over 30 years in Goju-Ryu Karate Do. He has trained with a number of the top Goju-Ryu practitioners in the world today, such as Domingo Llanos Sensei 8th Dan, Jean Frenette Sensei 9th Dan, Chuck Merriman Sensei 10th Dan, Tsuneo Kinjo Sensei 9th Dan, Gima Tetsu Sensei 9th Dan, Yurio Nakada Sensei 9th Dan, Mike Mancuso Sensei 9th Dan and Morio Higaonna Sensei 10th Dan to learn more about the lineage of our instructors, which traces back directly to Chojun Miyagi Sensei Goju Ryu founder, CLICK HERE.