JIU-JUTSU INSTRUCTORS

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Chief Instructor

Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Started training Judo at 7 years old at AEDA ....awarded green belt. Kung Fu practitioner for 16 years

2017 - Received 2nd degree black belt

2013 - Won 3rd place at World Master Tournament

2012 - Jean Jacques awarded black belt 

2010 - Received brown belt

2009 - Won 1st place at the Pan American Jiu- Jitsu tournament

2005 - Received purple belt

2004 - Started training under Jean Jacques Machado

1998 - Started training under Marcus Vinicius …awarded blue belt.

1997 - Started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu career in Sao Paulo, Brazil with Grand Master Red Belt Flavio Behing

And.... Marcello is a Private Chef. Also involved in Natural Ginastica

Our chief instructor, Pan American Champion in 2009, Marcello DePaoli brings a "family-like" atmosphere to the mat. He works us hard and he pushes us to our limits but he does this because he cares about us. He is 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

2017 - Received 5 stripes on brown belt from Jean Jacques Machado

2016 - 3rd place at 12th North American Bjj tourney 

2016 - 2nd place at the SoCal Jiu Jitsu Championships

2014 - Received brown belt rank in BJJ from Jean Jacques Machado

2014 - 2nd place at Force Balance Bjj tourney

2012 - Won 2nd place at JJ Machado SFVC Invitational tournament

2011 - Won 2nd place at JJ Machado Holiday Tournament

2009 - Won 3rd place at JJ Machado Holiday Tournament

2009 - Received purple belt in BJJ from Jean Jacques Machado

2005 - Received blue belt in BJJ from Jean Jacques Machado

2003 - Began Brazilian jiu-jitsu training under Jean Jacques Machado

Jon has been studying martial-arts for 25 years, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for 16 years under Jean Jacques Machado and holds the rank of brown belt. Jon is an additional BJJ adults and kids instructor at VMAC. He is also one of the founders / co-owners of VMAC.

Adult Jiu-Jitsu Instructor (Gi and No-Gi)

Hassan El-Amin has been a martial artist for the past thirty years, trained in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon do, Muay Thai and Dutch-Style Kickboxing. He has been studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the past ten years and is an avid competitor having won numerous grappling tournaments.  

His teaching style is conceptual, designed to give the modern Jiu Jitsu practictioner a strong base in fundamentals with an eye toward current trends.

Kids Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

Joseph Thomas has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for about 12 years, received Purple belt 2019 under Alberto Crane, Blue belt 2008 under Rodrigo Vaghi (Rickson Gracie’s highest ranking black belt)

2007 - Ibjjf world championships California - gold 

2007 - Submission sport Tennessee -gold

2007 - Hoosier open Indiana - gold 

2007 -Vaghi jiu jitsu open weight Missouri - silver

2007 - Naga grappling championships Ohio - bronze

2008 - Vaghi open Missouri - bronze 

2008 - Lake of the Ozarks invitational - silver

2009 - Arnold World Grappling championships Ohio - gold

2014 - VMAC Blue belt super fight - gold

2015 - Force Balance open California - Gold