Head Jiu-Jitsu Instructor -Jeremy Owens

Jeremy began training in Nova Uniao Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1999 under Renato "Charuto" Vermissio at B.J. Penn's Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Hilo, Hawaii. While attending the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Jeremy built a life around the ocean and the mat. After recieving his Purple Belt from Charuto, Jeremy came back home to Wrightsville Beach and brought with him a little bit of Hawaiian culture and a lot of Jiu-Jitsu. Jeremy’s style of instruction is based directly from B.J. Penn’s personal academy. Jeremy is well known in the Wilmington area for being the BEST at what he does. That academy in Hilo is the model by which Evolution MMA is based. In October, 2009 Jeremy recieved his Black Belt from Charuto.

    * 2004 Hawaiian Jiu-Jitsu State Champion (Heavyweight Blue Belt & Advance No-Gi)
    * 2006 Budweiser World Cup Champion (Heavyweight Advanced No-Gi)
    * Recieved Brown Belt from Charuto in September, 2007)
    * Recieved Black Belt from Charuto on October 19 2009

Asst. Jiu-Jitsu Instructor - David French

Dave began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu late in 2004 under Campiao Tramaine in Kona, Hawaii. Soon after, he began making the drive to Hilo twice a week to train at B.J. Penn's MMA Academy. The Hawaiian life style of surfing and training in Jiu-Jitsu quickly became Dave's life-style, and he continues that balance here at Wrightsville Beach. Dave teaches his classes in the same way he has been taught by Charuto and all the other great instructors he has met in the years that he has been involved in this sport. Dave has a very clear approach, and breaks things down in simple steps.

    * Recieved Purple Belt from Charuto in September, 2007
    * Recieved Browm Belt from Charuto in October, 2009

    * Placed 3rd in N.A.G.A. Atlanta in Advanced No-Gi

    * Placed 2nd in N.A.G.A. North Carolina Purple Belt division

 

Asst. Jiu-Jitsu Instructor - Neal Zumbro

"NyQuil" Neal Zumbro is currently a brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under Renato "Charuto" Verrisimo. Neal is an RKC certified kettlebell instructor under Pavel Tastsouline, and he teaches private and group classes in both Brazilian jiu jitsu and kettlebell's. Neal is also a former Marine machine gunner and martial arts instructor, and available for self defense instruction and personal training flexible enough for any clients needs or physical fitness level or goals.

Muay Thai Instructor - Jon Owens

Jon Owens started training Muay Thai in 2002 under Maurice Travis, a world Muay Thai Champion and Super Brawl Champion, and vetern of many K-1 and Bare Knuckle Vale Tudo matches. Jon began fighting 8 months later going on to win the Southeast Regional Muay Thai Championships. In 2006, Jon competed in his first Pro MMA match at the Gracie Proving Grounds in Ohio, winning by Triangle Choke in 46 seconds. In February 2007, Jon fought in the Fight Party's "Invasion", KO-ing opponent Andy Roberts in the first round.Current Record:

    * Amateur Muay Thai 3-1 (3 KOs)
    * Amateur Boxing 22-2-1 (16 KOs)
    * Professional MMA 2-0 (1 KO, 1 Submission)
    * Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Cardio Kickboxing and Personal Trainer: Kyle Whittington

Kyle began personal training at age 19 for Capital Fitness in Wilmington NC. Gained two years of personal training experience for the company before leaving the company to further persue MMA and freelance training and has been doing so diligently ever since. Kyle began training in Brazilian Jiujitsu under Jeremy Owens in 2006 receiving his purple belt from Renato "Charuto" Verissimo in October of 2009. Kyle has, for a long time, had a deep passion for nutrition, supplementation, training, and athletic performance as it relates to MMA and various disciplines of combat sport. Kyle is available for privates in personal training, Brazilian Jiujitsu, and basic striking.

Amateur MMA record 1 - 0

Boxing Instructor-Will Estes

Will has been boxing for close to 3 years, he started at the boxing center downtown with Andre Thompson.  He has been doing MMA for 2 years.  Will has had 2 amatuer MMA matches and plans on contiuing to fight and get into other areas of competition.  Will keeps himself well rounded through dedication in the strength and conditioning center and all the martial arts.

Level IV Boxing Coach - Andre Thompson

Andre is a Wilmington native who epitomizes boxing.  He is an accomplished competitor and professional trainer.

He has won State, Regional & Nation Golden Gloves competition.  He qualified for 3 Olympic trials.

Asst. Jiu-Jitsu Instructor - Jon "Armbarnes" Barnes

Jon began training BJJ in March of 2003 under Amal Easton, a Renzo Gracie black belt in Boulder CO. Although he started just to keep in shape, he quickly fell in love with the sport and has been a serious student since the beginning. After receiving his blue belt in August of 2004, Jon moved to California, where he trained under Sandro "Batata" Santiago at Ralph Gracie' s Mountain View Academy. Later he returned to Colorado, training under Mario "Busy" Correa at Easton BJJ - Denver, where he earned his purple belt in February, 2007.

When he moved to Wilmington in September, 2008, Jon' s number one priority was finding the absolute best school to train at. Evolution MMA was an easy choice; then and now, without peer in the Wilmington area. Jon eventually began instructing at Evolution and has loved seeing his students succeed with his techniques, and the refinement that teaching has brought to his own game. In October, 2009 Jon received his brown belt from Renato "Charuto" Verissimo.

Asst. Jiu-Jitsu Instructor - Louis Barrios

Louis Barrios began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Judo simultaneously in July 2000. Although he has continued to train Judo, because of the freedom allowed, BJJ drew his focus, and this became his specialty. His initial BJJ instructor was Victor Mcleod, an affiliate of Maguilla/Nova Uniao. The six years that Louis trained with Victor, Louis developed the foundations of his game, and belief of the fundamentals in BJJ. To this day, this is evident in his personal style. In 2004 Louis started to compete seriously, and began winning BJJ and Judo tournaments. Since that time he has medaled in nearly every tournament that he has entered. In 2006 Louis moved to Durham North Carolina, and began training and teaching with Team ROC. There he spent three years refining his game, and eventually earning a purple belt from Royce Gracie in 2008. In 2009 Louis moved to Wilmington and began training with the Evolution Mixed Martial Arts team in Wrightsville Beach North Caro lina. During his time spent here, Louis was able to refine his game even further and earned his brown belt from Renato "Charuto" Verissimo. Currently Louis teaches the Morning classes, and is available for privates.