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Instructors 

 * All instructors have cleared an Intelius Background Check

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu [BJJ] BTT Palencia Head Coach Mike Brennan

Michael Brennan

  • Head Instructor and Owner of Brazilian Top Team Palencia, Mike Brennan is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Marcelo Bergo.

  • As a lifelong Martial Artist, Mike Brennan holds black belts in Kajukenbo, Shaolin Goju and is an Inductee in the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame(2011).

  • Mike brings the famed Brazilian Top Team, one of the oldest and most decorated  martial arts gyms in the world to St. John’s County, Florida.

  • Through years of teaching and competition experience Mike has developed an effective coaching style that allows him to spread the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to all of his students in a manner that is enjoyable and easily grasped.

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Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Murilo Bustamante > Marcello Bergo

 

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Mike Bland​

  • Mike Bland is 4th degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and retired Police Sergeant from Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Mike began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1996 at the original American kickboxing Academy(AKA) in San Jose, California. Relocating to Las Vegas in 1999,

  • Mike would ultimately train directly under Sergio Penha, who awarded Mike his Black Belt in 2007.

  • For over 25 years Mike has coached at every level to include hobbyists, law enforcement, military, and professional fighters and still actively travels the country coaching for Invictus and C4C Police Jiu Jitsu.

  • Mike now resides in St. Augustine with his wife and son and has been graciously welcomed into the BTT Palencia Jiu Jitsu Family.

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Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie sr > Reyson Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > Sergio Penha

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Reed Hepperly​

  • With more than 30 years of grappling experience Reed (including free-style wrestling, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu) has seen the changes in BJJ as a sport from the early emphasis in Vale Tudo and self-defense to the modern game.

  • Reed founded the first Brazilian Jiujitsu school in the west coast city of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, before moving to Jacksonville Fl.

  •  BTT Black Belt under Marcelo Bergo

  •  The last 5 years of his BJJ journey have been focused on developing teaching and coaching skills.  “My belief is that the next big change that we will see in the sport is the development of better coaching and I intend to be one of the people in the forefront of this movement”.

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Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Murilo Bustamante > Marcello Bergo

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