Brown belt

June 13, 2015Sandy Springs, GA USA - Knuckle Up Fitness

2 years, 4 months, 14 days

Training, teaching, and competing as part of the Knuckle Up Fitness and Union Team joint venture. In the middle of my brown belt journey, Master Murgel (Union Team) made the decision to exit the joint venture agreement with Knuckle Up Fitness. Master Ricardo Murgel opened his own academy located in Alpharetta GA. I made the decision to follow Murgel and assist him in the start up phase (teaching and training regularly). I also competed in the Fight to Win Pro 36 Event (hosted in Atlanta, GA).

Purple belt

March 20, 2013Sandy Springs, GA USA - Knuckle Up Fitness

2 years, 2 months, 24 days

Training primarily under Grandmaster Ricardo Murgel. The Knuckle Up Fitness BJJ program merged with Murgel's Union Team (Based in Brazil)

Blue belt

September 7, 2009Sandy Springs, GA USA - Knuckle Up Fitness

3 years, 6 months, 13 days

I primarily trained under Jim Abrille for this promotion. Around this time Knuckle Up Fitness hired Master Ricardo Murgel (Union Team founder and now Grandmaster) to take over the Knuckle Up Fitness Jiu Jitsu Program

White belt

March 8, 2008Duluth, GA USA - Knuckle Up Fitness

1 year, 5 months, 30 days

Started training at the Knuckle Up Fitness Duluth location (Location no longer in business) under Douglas Lima (when he was a purple belt). After the Duluth location went out of business, I transferred to Knuckle Up Fitness Sandy Springs and trained under Jim Abrille & Grandmaster Ricardo Murgel