Grand Master Relson Gracie – Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, 9th Degree Red Belt, under Helio Gracie.
Relson Gracie,the 2nd oldest son of Helio Gracie, began learning jiu-jitsu at age 2 and entered his first competition at the age of 10. Relson was the Brazilian National Champion for 22 years straight and during this period he went undefeated. Relson became so popular that he attained the nickname "Campeao" or "Champion" among his friends and fans. Relson along with his brothers Rorion, Rickson, Royler, and Rolker helped prepare their younger brother Royce for the first several Ultimate Fighting Championships. This no-holds-barred competition was formed by Rorion Gracie to showcase the brilliant fighting and self-defense style of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the world. What had already been developed and tested in real life competition and fighting since the 1920’s in Brazil has now changed main stream martial arts in the U.S. and the rest of the world forever. Relson Gracie in his early years was known for his many street fights and the brutal and unpredictable style in which he engaged those fights. Now many years retired from competition Relson’s philosophy reflects his late father’s, which is to train for self defense and personal advancement. Relson currently holds the rank of 8th degree red belt under the lineage of his father Helio Gracie. Relson’s main academy is in Hawaii, were he resides, but he travels regularly to visit his Training Academies / Association to conduct group seminars, demonstrations, and private lessons.
Professor Toney Waldecker – Self-Defense / Jiu-Jitsu / MMA Coach and 2nd Degree Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, under Grand Master Relson Gracie.
Toney Waldecker is the head Jiu-Jitsu / MMA instructor of the Training Academy / Calvert MMA Academy. Toney began studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the mid nineties and was promoted to Black Belt in April of 2008. Toney has a long history of grappling competition wins to his name, including a 1998 Sambo Nationals Bronze, 1999 Sambo Nationals Gold, 2003 Budweiser Jiu-Jitsu World Cup shared Gold Medal with fellow teammate, 2001 Gracie Nationals Silver, and 2004 Arnold Gracie World Submission Championships Gold (Purple Open). In 2005, Toney took silver at the Gracie Nationals as a brown belt in the open division. Recently, Toney stepped up to the pro ranks and he currently holds a 2-0 record.In a professional Muay Thai fight in Thailand, Toney won with an impressive knock-out victory.In his MMA match, Toney submitted his opponent 45 seconds into the first round.
Coach Matt Almborg – Jiu-Jitsu Coach and 4 Stripe Brown Belt, under Grand Master Relson Gracie.
Matt Almborg is a Jiu-Jitsu instructor at the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Maryland Training Academy / Calvert MMA Academy. Matt began studying Gracie Jiu Jitsu in early 2000 and was promoted to a brown belt in spring of 2009. In addition to Jiu-Jitsu, Matt also has a strong Judo and Wrestling background. Matt currently is the Team Captain of the "Fight Works Competition Team" at Relson Gracie's Academy out of the Fight Works gym in Sterling, VA. Matt is an avid competitor and has consistently done well in competitions in many grappling arenas. Matt routinely competes in Gi and No-Gi tournaments along with Judo competitions in an effort to keep his skills sharp. Some of Matt's accomplishments include winning 3 divisions at the Copa Nova. Matt won the Advanced No-Gi, Advanced Masters No-Gi, and the purple belt Gi division. Matt won all but one of those matches by submission. As a blue belt Matt won the Gi division of the Gracie Worlds. As a white belt Matt placed second in the 50 man white belt absolute tournament, which was one of the first Absolute Gi divisions held by grapplers quest.
Coach Jim Thrift – Self-Defense / Jiu-Jitsu Coach / Academy Owner, and 3 Stripe Brown Belt, under Grand Master Relson Gracie.
Jim Thrift is a Self-Defense / Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructor and the owner of the Calvert MMA Academy. Jim’s passion for the martial arts dates back to the early 80’s when he started training in Tang Soo Do / Tae Kwon Do under the lineage / coaching of Ki Wang Kim, Mike Warren, and Amos Johnson. After earning his black belt, Jim began training in Japanese Kempo, Judo, and Aikido to expand his skills. From 1984 - 1995, Jim often competed in local, state, and national fighting competitions to include point fighting tournaments, full contact kick boxing, USTU, AAU and Judo tournaments. In the mid 90’s Jim took his first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu class and has been hooked ever since. Jim is also a graduate of the Gracie Academy's G.R.A.P.L.E.® course which is now referred to as "Gracie Combatives for Law Enforcement"® by the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California.
Professor Scott Devine – Friend / Mentor and 3rd Degree Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, under Grand Master Relson Gracie.
A special “Thank You” goes to Scott Devine, Black Belt under Relson Gracie. Scott began training with Relson at his Hawaii Academy back in 1988 and was awarded his black belt during a ceremony at the 2003 Gracie Nationals. Without Scott’s friendship, support, and coaching over the years, the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Maryland Training Academy wouldn’t have been possible. Scott currently resides in Georgia with his family, but we hope to have him conduct seminars whenever he visits the area.
Coach Carlos Lopez - Muay Thai Coach
Carlos Lopez is the head coach for Calvert MMA Academies’ Muay Thai program. Coach Carlos has been training in martial arts since the age of five. He received his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at the age of twelve, wrestled all four years of high school, and has been training in the art of Muay Thai since 2006. Coach Carlos has competed in many competitions throughout his life, from Tae Kwon Do tournaments, to Wrestling tournaments, and many Muay Thai bouts. Coach Carlos is also the current WKA World Muay Thai Champion at the Welterweight division (2011 & 2012). He hopes to pass down his experiences from martial arts to the students at CalvertMMA. Coach Carlos respects Muay Thai culture and its traditions. Muay Thai has helped him tremendously with his life and he wishes to express to others how it can help them physically and mentally as well.
Kru Sean Douglas - Muay Thai Coach
Calvert MMA Academy is an official affiliate of "Douglas Fighting Tiger Muay Thai"
Sean was born in in 1974. He began training in boxing and martial arts at a young age; starting in traditional styles and competing as an amateur at the age of 10. Sean enlisted in the US Marine Corp in 1993. While enlisted, Sean fought competitively in Okinawa, Korea other multiple international locations. When Sean left the military in 1997 he returned to his home town. Shortly after, in early 1998, he opened his own gym; Fitness Fighting Arts Center. This gym was the first of its kind in the area, teaching MMA style fighting prior to MMA’s official acceptance in the mainstream of sports.
About a year and a half into operating his own gym, Sean decided it was time in his career to go Pro. He traveled to San Jose, Ca to train under Cung Le and learn the fighting art style of San Shou (Chinese kickboxing). During this time he fought several pro level fights. While visiting Vallejo, CA Sean fought in the first ever Pro sanctioned title fight in the US under San Shou rules through the IKF (International Kickboxing Federation).
Later Sean traveled back to Toledo to refocus on his gym and recover from a fight injury received during his a fight in California. While based in Toledo, Sean again fought stateside over the next several years in Thai Boxing events under the ISKA (International Sport Karate Association).
In 2002, Sean felt the desire to visit the motherland of Muay Thai; Thailand, wanting to learn from and fight the best of the best. His 2 weeks visit turned into a 4 year adventure culminating in Sean opening his second gym in Phuket where he promoted the first ever Vale Tudo (MMA no rules) fights in Thailand.
After deciding to take a slightly different focus on training, Sean broke with his partner in Phuket and opened a new gym in Chalong Chai; Tiger Pitt. In this new gym, Sean earned international fame as he trained and developed several champion fighters.
Sean often traveled to Singapore to bring over fighters to fight in the first ever MMA events in Thailand. Sean himself fought in the first ever KOTC fight for the Superfight Bantamweight title – winning in 1st round with a rear naked choke (KOTC being the oldest recognized sanctioning organization). Sean fought multiple times over the next few years in Thailand, including fights broadcasted on Thailand's Chanel 11 and durning national Thai Festivals. After his multiple victories, Sean was then invited to fight, and won his fight in the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium
In 2007, Sean traveled back to the states and relocated to Hollywood where he has worked on Hollywood and independent films as fight choreographer and personal trainers to the stars.
Sean has developed Douglas Fighting Tiger Muay Thai to share his knowledge and share the traditional arts of proper Muay Thai.
- Amateur fight record: Over 100 competitions
- Pro fight record: 22-4
- Accomplishments: Black belt in Okinawa Te Jitsu (bare knuckle karate)
- Tae Kwon Do, Pro fighter Muay Thai,
- San Shou, and knockdown karate
- Developed “Take A Stance” women’s self defense course
- Holds Muay Thai seminars worldwide
- Has fought internationally in U.S.A., Thailand, Japan, Korea, Canada, and Singapore
- Ranked #2 in San Shou in the I.K.F.
- Fighting 12 times in Thailand including fights on Thailand channel 11 and historical Lumpinee stadium. Sean has a 10-2 record in Thailand.
- Featured on Japanese, Korean, and Chinese T.V.
- U.S. Marine Corps, 1993-1997
- Trained numerous champions in various styles
- Has Trained members of the U.S. Secret Service, F.B.I., D.E.A., S.A.S., Navy Seals, and other various police departments.
- Trained at historical Kronk Boxing Gym in Detroit Mi.
- Dec 2006, KOTC Singapore title fight
- KOTC World Super Fight Bantamweight Champion
Coach Aimee Reynolds - Ladies Muay Thai Coach
Aimee Reynolds is the owner AR Studio. Calvert MMA Academy and AR Studio have teamed up to offer a once a month “Ladies Only” Muay Thai Boxing class. Aimee’s class is a fun, dynamic class suitable for ladies of all fitness and experience levels. Aimee is also available the rest of the month at her studio to provide private, semi-private, and group lessons. The emphasis at AR Studio is on the study of Muay Thai kick-boxing, a traditional form of martial arts that offers cardiovascular and strength endurance training as well as stress relief. Traditional strength training methods (including free weights, stability ball, plyometric, isometric and calisthenics) are also incorporated into the workouts. Each session at AR Studio is customized, so there are no redundant routines. Nutrition is also a primary focus for all clients attending AR Studio. Pairing proper nutrition with physical exercise is critical to the success of any complete wellness program.
Aimee Reynolds, received a Bachelor’s of Science in Molecular Cell Biology, is a Certified Fitness Trainer and a Specialist in Fitness Nutrition. Aimee received her Level 3 skills assessment in Muay Thai while training with the New World Academy in New Port News, VA. She is continually working to further her fitness education to help those attending AR Studio reach and maintain their fitness goals.
“My ultimate goal is to ensure that you have the proper tools to achieve your fitness goals and to maintain them for a lifetime.” ~ Aimee
Beth Cory, E-RYT - Yoga Instructor
Congratulations to Calvert MMA Academy Yoga Instructor Beth Cory. Beth is moving up to the big leagues. Beth is now teaching classes at Under Armor HQ and she is conducting weekly online training available to everyone. To find out more about her online training program please visit her site "Yoga for All". Beth will continue to conduct Yoga Master classes at Calvert MMA from time to time. We wish Beth the best of luck with her new classes.
"Relson Gracie students are in my experience the most technical on Earth"
- Kirkik Jenness, President of Mixed Martial Arts, LLC - January 14, 2010.