MEET OUR EXPERT MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION TEAM

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Head Professor, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self-Defense

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

BIO UNDER CONSTRUCTION 

Head Instructor, Muay Thai 

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

BIO UNDER CONSTUCTION

Coach, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Striking

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt

Professional MMA Fighter

Coach Guram, a mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competitor from Tbilisi, Georgia, began his martial arts journey in 2006 at Maguila BJJ Academy. He started competing at 16 and later trained at Pure Performance Martial Arts Center in Washington, DC, where he taught children's classes and earned his purple belt from Pedro Sauer in 2016.

Moving to California, he trained at Kings MMA under Rafael Cordeiro and competed in MMA in Georgia and Azerbaijan. In 2019, he joined Carlson Gracie World Headquarters in Chicago after meeting Master Carlson Gracie Junior during a layover in Qatar. Currently holding a Brown Belt, Guram instructs at Carlson Gracie HQ and competes in the IBJJF adult division.

• Georgia MMA Amateur Champion 
• AZFC Professional Fighter (Azerbaijan)
• NAGA World Championship – Bronze
• Beast of the East – Grapplers Quest – Gold
• Pro Competitor at Midwest Finishers
• IBJJF Chicago Open – Bronze (Purple Belt)

Professor, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

Professor Darrin, an esteemed member of the Carlson Gracie Team, attained his Black Belt in 2017, marking a culmination of over 25 years dedicated to wrestling, grappling, coaching, and teaching. His commitment extends beyond the mat, as he wholeheartedly invests in his students' growth, both athletically and personally. Whether refining techniques for upcoming tournaments or offering support for everyday challenges, Coach Darrin's leadership exemplifies the core tenets of martial arts—integrity, discipline, and character—inspiring all under his guidance.

• 2017 Gold medalist IBJJF Chicago Summer Open
• 2016 Silver medalist IBJJF Chicago Spring Open
• 2015 Silver medalist IBJJF Master Worlds
• 2015 Silver medalist IBJJF Pan Am Championships
• 2014 Gold medalist IBJJF Pan Am Championships
• 3x Gold Medalist, North American Grappling Association
• 2x Gold Medalist Corral Combat Classic

Coach, Wrestling

Current New Trier Wrestling Camp Director

Former Head Varsity Wrestling Coach at Niles North

Coach Ben Shabad, a seasoned veteran with a decade of experience coaching Varsity Wrestling at Niles North High School, brings a a depth knowledge and spirit to the mat. A former wrestler at Niles West and a dedicated member of the University of Illinois Club wrestling team, Coach Ben's love for the sport is unmatched. He thrives on sharing his expertise and igniting the same passion in his students. 

Coach, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt
Father, friend & fan of the Simpsons

Coach Larry is your typical University of Chicago grad, armed with a degree in economics. He spent a solid fifteen years in the wild world of options trading, navigating the ups and downs of the financial market like a pro. But when he's not crunching numbers, you can find Larry on the mats, working his way up to a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Off the trading floor and away from the gym, Larry's all about family time. He's happily married to Anne and they're the proud parents of two kiddos, Lawson (8) and Emaline (7). He's just your average guy juggling work, hobbies, and family life with a grin on his face. 

2015 IBJJF Champion, BJJ Gi Ultra Heavy, White Belt Division

Coach, Women's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self-Defense

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt
Professional MMA Fighter

Hayley “The Hailstorm” Turner, a professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competitor, began her martial arts journey in 2015 at Ann Arbor Mixed Martial Arts before joining Scorpion Fighting System in 2016. In March 2017, after winning her third amateur MMA fight, she was awarded a blue belt from Kristian Woodmansee.

Meeting James Gray and Amanda “ABC” Cooper at Scorpion Fighting System in May 2016, Turner joined the gym, dedicating 25–30 hours per week to training. She debuted as an amateur in September 2016 at bantamweight (135 lbs), securing three wins by first or second-round referee stoppage.

In September 2017, she made her professional MMA debut against Chrissie Daniels, winning by first-round TKO. Despite experiencing her first career loss to Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga in April 2018, Turner rebounded with a victory over Taylor Turner in November 2018.

Coach, Women's Self-Defense

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt

Amateur MMA Fighter

Former amateur MMA fighter Sarah "Reptar" Jones, hailing from Lansing, Michigan, began her kickboxing journey in 2013. She fought in the Atom weight division (105lbs), making her debut against undefeated Alexandra Van Horn at 125lbs in April 2015, losing by Unanimous Decision.

Returning to the cage seven months later, she defeated Alyssa Lawrence at atom weight. In 2016, she won the Impact Fight League Atom weight Championship Belt by defeating Laura Niziol. She successfully defended her title against Alibeth Milliron two months later.

In 2018, she triumphed over Charity LaBuy in Wisconsin, and her last victory was against Kayla McRorie in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, for Big John’s MMA on October 27th, 2018.

Anne is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She's dabbled in a variety of professions from negotiating insurance contracts to transforming neglected houses into inviting rentals to now owning a martial arts gym. Aside from spending time with her family (Larry, Lawson & Emma), she enjoys listening to true crime podcasts while gardening, or unwinding with a glass of wine while indulging in a historical fiction novel, or volunteering at her synagogue. If you have any questions or concerns, please let her know!