Home | Kids Jiu-Jitsu | Adult Jiu-Jitsu | Muay Thai/MMA | Boot Camp Fitness | Schedule/Facility | Instructors | Contact/Map Mark Hopkins--Brazilian jiu-jitsu/MMA instructor Dojo Americana is founded by black belt instructor, Mark Hopkins. Mark has been studying grappling since the late 1980s; first learning wrestling fundamentals from his good friend, 2x All-American, Vince Silva (see below), then studying and practicing judo. He later practiced a mixture of judo and wrestling with friends in garage gyms until he discovered Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Mark's first jiu-jitsu class was in 1994 but didn't start training semi-regularly until 1997. He received his blue belt from Carlos Aveline (now Odie Neto's academy) after 3 months of classes. Mark later was introduced to professor Carlos Valente and trained at his academy from 1997 to 2006. Mark is the first American black belt under professor Valente, whom is a 7th degree black belt under the legendary, Rickson Gracie. In his first showing, Mark won the silver medal at the prestigious Pan-Am Games in 2005.
Mark Olsen--Muay Thai/MMA instructor Mark started Muay Thai and BJJ training in 2002 at SD Fight Club under head instructor and WEC fighter, Charlie Kohler. In 2005 started training Muay Thai with UFC fighter Brandon 'The Truth' Vera. In 2004 he was the youngest fighter invited to the US Pride Auditions in Los Angeles. Some of his accomplishments are: Pro MMA Record: 1-0 2003 World Grappling Games Champion
Francisco Macias--Muay Thai instructor Francisco started Muay Thai training under head instructor and UFC Heavyweight fighter, Brandon Vera, and Pride tryout finalist and EliteXC Light Weight World Champion, KJ Noons. He later trained muay thai under Jhanex Alvarez and boxing under Manny Melchor and Robert “Hit Man” Garcia. Francisco has been training for 7 years and teaching Muay Thai and Boxing for 3 years now. He believes in hard work and dedication and lives by this saying “Train Hard or Go Home . ”
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