JIU-JITSU INSTRUCTORS
Valley Martial Arts Center's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors are the best around black belts from Jean Jacques Machado. Our experienced coaches are passionate about helping our students reach their full potential. We’ll work with you to develop your skills and help you achieve your goals, whether that means competing at the highest level or simply enjoying the many benefits of this incredible martial art.
Chief Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Marcello De Paoli started training Judo at 7 years old at AEDA, where he awarded a green belt. He also practiced Kung Fu for 16 years.
He started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career in Sao Paulo, Brazil with Grand Master Red Belt, Flavio Behing in 1997. He started training under Marcus Vinicius in 1998, awarded a blue belt, then 2004, started training under Jean Jacques Machado, awarded purple belt in 2005. He won 1st place at the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu tournament in 2009. Next year, he was awarded a brown belt, then a black belt in 2012. In 2013, he won 3rd place at the World Master Tournament in Los Angeles, CA.
Marcello works us hard and pushes us to our limits. He does this because he cares about us, proud of us and he wants us to succeed. In tournaments, we stand our ground because Marcello prepares us for the hardest situations and toughest opponents.
Adult and Kids Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Jon has been studying martial arts for 30 years and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for 20 years under Jean Jacques Machado. He received a Black belt from Jean Jacques Machado in 2021. Jon is an additional BJJ instructor at VMAC for adults and kids. He is also one of the founders / co-owners of VMAC.
He began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training under Jean Jacques Machado in 2003. He won several tournaments, such as 2nd place at JJ Machado SFVC Invitational tournament in 2012, 2nd place at Force Balance Bjj tourney in 2014, 3rd place at the 12th North American Bjj tourney, and 2nd place at the SoCal Jiu Jitsu Championships in 2016.
Adult Jiu-Jitsu Instructor (Gi and No-Gi)
Hassan El-Amin has been a Martial Artist for the past 20 years. He has trained in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, and Dutch-style kickboxing. He has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over fifteen years and is an avid competitor, having won numerous tournaments. Hassan has been a BJJ instructor at VMAC for about 10 years. He received a black belt from Romulo Barral in July 2023.
Hassan's teaching style is conceptual, designed to give the modern Jiu-Jitsu practitioner a strong base in fundamentals with an eye toward current trends.
Adult Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Kyle Winter has trained in Martial Arts his entire life. He first earned his black belt in Taekwondo at the age of twelve, and currently holds the rank of brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after 10+ years of training. He has been on the podium at several grappling competitions, in addition to winning two exhibition super fights by submission. He encourages an analytical approach to the sport, and treats every match like a puzzle that must be solved while not getting strangled.
