Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA Instructor- Founder

Hi my name is Dennis Thomas, Jr. My goal is to make sure that you know how to defend yourself and teach you the skills to get you into the best shape of your life. I will never give up on you. Please come in and tryout a free class. I promise to provide you with the best coaching, training partners and facility to ensure that your self-defense skills and fitness goals are met.

25+ years of boxing experience. 14+ Years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, MMA training & Fitness instruction. 4-0 MMA (Cage Fighting Record). Multiple Time BJJ Champion. Certified First Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under coach Sina Hadad. Dennis currently trains at Ironside Martial Arts under Jiu-Jitsu Professor Sina Hadad and MMA coach Juan Guenechea. Happily married to his beautiful high school sweetheart for 20 years. Proud father of 3 amazing children.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Accomplishments: 2006

• 2nd Place, Silver medal Texas NoGi Championship.

• 3rd Place, Bronze medal Elite Grapplers Championship

2007

• 2nd Place trophy, U.S. No Gi Challenge

• 1st Place Gold Medal, Texas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship

2011

• 2nd place NoGi and Gi, Star Jiu-Jitsu Championship

• 3rd place Europa Dallas, Fight World Championships

2012

• 3rd place, Salute to Arms charity event benefitting the Wounded Warriors Project.

• 1st Place Gold medal, American Grappling Federation

• 2nd place Silver medal, Lone Star State Jiu-Jitsu Championship, NABJJF

• 2nd place Bronze medal, NABJJF Nationals

• 2nd place Silver medal, NABJJF Nationals

• 1st place Gold medal, NABJJF Nationals

• 1st Place Gold medal, Europa Super Show Torque Champion

• 1st Place Gold Championship belt, NAGA expert division.

2013

• 3rd place Bronze medal, NAGA World Championship

• 2nd place Silver medal, NAGA World Championship

• 1st place Gold medal, American Grappling Federation

• 1st Place Gold medal, Newbreed Ultimate Challenge

• 1st place Gold medal, Newbreed Ultimate Challenge

• 1st place Gold medal, Europa Fight to Win

• 1st place Gold medal, NABJJF Nationals

2014

• 2nd place Silver medal, IBJJF Dallas International Open

• 1st place Championship belt, Black/Brown belt division, Five Grappling Championship

• 1st place Championship belt, Expert division, Five Grappling Championship

2016

• 2nd place Silver Medal, ONNIT World Open Submission Only Jiu-Jitsu Tournament

• 1st place Gold medal, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Black Belt Division (Gi) NABJJF Lone Star State Championship

• 1st place Gold medal, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Black Belt Division (NoGi) NABJJF Lone Star State Championship

• 1st place Gold medal, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Black Belt Division (Open Weight, NoGi) NABJJF Lone Star State Championship

  • MMA Cage Fighting Accomplishments:

    • 2007 Defeated Samuel Cyr via tapout with a Lion Killer Choke (2nd round)

    • 2008 Defeated Kevin Salas via tapout with a Lion Killer Choke (1st round)

    • 2015 Defeated Jaime Anaya via TKO (1st round)

    • 2015 Defeated Fernando Salas via Unanimous Decision (3 rounds)

  • Certifications:

    • First Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

    • Professional MMA Fighter

    • Safe Sport Certified Coach

    • USA Boxing Member

    • Professional Cornerman

    • IBJJF Member

    • SJJIF Member

    • USA Boxing Certified Coach

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing & Muay Thai Coach

Coach James "Jambo" Sherry started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2008 and trains at Star Jiu-Jitsu under Yousef Alirezaei. He is a certified Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a USA Boxing member and a Safe Sport Certified Coach.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach and Roanoke Gym Manager

As a special education teacher and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jill Sandoval has a passion for enriching children’s lives on and off the mats. She serves as an ambassador for Girls in Gis, which promotes women’s Jiu-Jitsu and raises money to pay for less fortunate women to participate in the sport. She is also an ambassador for My Bruises are from...Jiu-Jitsu, which raises awareness of domestic violence.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach

Thomas (Tom) Rodriguez

I started training Jiu Jitsu in Chicago, IL in 2012 under Carlson Gracie Team black belts Jeff Neal and Brian Bishop. I moved down to Texas in 2015 and began training under James Sherry, Jerry Lair and Dennis Thomas at Street Jitsu in Roanoke, TX. Since starting training, I have lost 40 lbs, and have competed in numerous tournaments and pro grappling fights. I am currently a brown belt. I have a bachelors in psychology from Northern Illinois University. I have been married since May of 2010 to my lovely Wife Angela and have 2 daughters, Adriana and Sophia.

• BJJ accomplishments

• 2018

  • Underground Submission series. 1st GI absolute. 2nd GI 145. 2nd No GI 145. 3rd No GI Absolute

• 2018

  • NAGA 1st No Gi

  • Evolve Jiu Jitsu tournament 1st no GI

  • Grappling Industry 2nd GI

• 2016

  • Newbreed 1st GI 145 lb, Silver GI 170 lb

  • NABJJF 1st GI 2nd NO GI

  • TXBJJ 3rd GI

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach

Coach Chris Flores has been training Brazilian jiu-jitsu since 2017. He holds the rank of blue belt under Professor Dennis Thomas at Street Jitsu. Chris has been enlisted in the Marine Corps for the past 15 years and holds the rank of Black belt 3 rd degree Martial Arts instructor Trainer in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).He has been instructing MCMAP for 10 years. Chris enjoys competing in BJJ tournaments as well as transferring the knowledge he has gained through the years by coaching others. He currently coaches the BJJ kids class at Street Jitsu-Justin. Aside from his BJJ training, Chris enjoys staying physically fit by lifting weights and playing sports. He has been married to his awesome wife Melanie for 11 years.

• May-2018 NAGA World BJJ Championships- Gold No-Gi, Silver Gi (White Belt)

• Sept-2018 IBJJF Dallas fall international Open- Bronze Gi (White Belt)

• Dec-2018 NAGA World BJJ Championships-Silver Gi, silver No-Gi (White Belt)

• Feb-2019 New breed tournament- Gold No-Gi, Gold Gi (Blue Belt)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach

Coach Bob Drummond started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2008 in Hawaii under Relson Gracie and Mike and Chris Onzuka at O2 Martial Arts. He is a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a Black Belt in Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate. Coach Bob has been married to his beautiful wife Gaye for over 32-years and has 5-children.

Boxing Coach

Coach Richard Derrick is from Dallas TX.

• Has been boxing for over 15+ yrs

• 2013 Graduate from UNT

• Former USA Boxing Member for 5+ yrs

• 2014 Ft Worth Golden Gloves Novice Champion Light heavyweight division

• 2nd place in 2014 Silver Gloves Championship light heavyweight division

Muay Thai & MMA Coach

Victor Reyna has been training in various Martial Arts including Muay Thai Kickboxing, Boxing, Judo, Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over 10 years. He is also competing as a professional in Mixed Martial Arts and has been doing so for over 5 years.

• 10 - 4 Professional MMA Record

• Judo Brown Belt under Kerry Moreland

• Green Armband in Muay Thai under Carlos Moreno

• Teaching and personal training for over 3 years.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach

Rob Kitchell

I started my Jiu-Jitsu career in 2010 at Texas Punishment Crew in Beaumont, Texas under the coaching of my close friend and mentor Jason Ebarb. I moved to Fort Worth in 2012 where I started training at Peak Performance, receiving my purple and brown belt under Paul Halme. I've competed in many tournaments and had the pleasure of training with great grapplers such as Ben Askren and Matt Serra. I love to see the confidence BJJ builds in people, I will work hard to share what I have learned along the way. Outside of BJJ I love to spend time and travel with my wife Cheryl. We recently celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary !

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach

Jerry “Manimal” Lair has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since April of 2010 and received his black belt from master Sina Hadad in December of 2018. The 2014 IBJJF Masters Purple Belt World Champion and competition veteran he is also a certified Modern Army Combative Program instructor who loves to share his favorite techniques with his students. Currently an instructor at Ironside Training Academy and Street Jiu Jitsu Jerry has trained with the toughest guys in Texas and has been a training partner in several MMA fight camps.

• Currently instructing at Street Jiu Jitsu

• Currently instructing at Ironside Training Academy

• 2014 Masters Worlds – Gold Medalist

• 2014 Dallas Open – Gold Medalist

• 2014 Houston Open – Gold Medalist

• 2013 Masters Worlds – Silver Medalist

• 2013 Masters Worlds NOGI – Silver Medalist

• 2013 Dallas Open – Gold Medalist

• 2012 Dallas Open – Gold Medalist

Group Fitness Instructor & Sports Specific Coach

Justen (Jut) Smith is CEO of Veteran owned, Fitness Consultant Company TriPoint Athletics, LLC and president of JustenProFitness. He is a sports specific speed & agility coach. Currently partnering with NBA G-League Team Texas Legends and Arena Football Team Texas Revolutions.

Training and education through United States Military, NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) and ACE (American Council on Exercise).

11 years Coaching and Fitness Training

7 years United States ARMY and US National Guard

-Combat Veteran, Served OIF and OEF (Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom) Iraq/Kuwait

Former Semi Pro Football

USATF (USA Track & Field) National Champion and Masters Outdoor/Indoor 3 time Gold Medalist

Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer & Sports Specific Coach

Coach Stephanie Kalu

Hometown: Dallas, TX

College: Southern Methodist University

Degree: Applied Physiology and Health Manangement

While in College: Competed for SMU as a sprinter. Competed in the 60m, 100m, 200m, 4x100 meter relay and the 4x400 meter relays.

HONORS

2015 Outdoor Honorable Mention All-American (4x100 relay)

2015 Outdoor NCAA Qualifier (4x100 relay, 20th)

2015 Outdoor NCAA West Regional Qualifier (100m, 200m, 4x100 relay)

2015 Outdoor All-AAC (100-meter, 2nd; 4x100 relay, 3rd)

2015 Indoor All-AAC (60-meter, 3rd)

2014 Outdoor NCAA West Regional Qualifier (100m)

2014 Outdoor All-AAC (100-meter, 1st)

2014 Indoor Second Team All-American (60-meter, 9th at NCAAs)

2014 Indoor All-AAC (60-meter, 1st; 200-meter, 2nd)

2013 Indoor All-CUSA (4x400 relay, 3rd)

2013 Outdoor Honorable Mention All-American (100-meter, 22nd at NCAAs)

2013 Outdoor NCAA Qualifier (100m, 22nd)

2013 Outdoor NCAA West Regional Qualifier (100m, 4x100 relay)

2013 Outdoor All-CUSA (100-meter, 3rd; 4x100 relay, 2nd)

Professional Experience:

• NASM-Certified Personal Trainer

• AFAA- Certified Group Fitness Instructor

• CPR/AED Certified

• Basic First Aid Certified

• Blood Borne Pathogens Certified

• 4 years of Personal/Group Training

I am currently a American-Nigerian professional sprinter and have competed for Nigeria’s national team in the 2012 World Junior Championship in Barcelona, the 2013 a World Championship In Moscow, and the 2015 World Championship in Beijing. I currently represent the USA. My events are the 60m dash, the 100 m dash, and 200m dash.

Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Training Coach

Coach Zadek Beard

Background

I have been involved in Health and Fitness for more than 20+ years. It’s a passion and gift that I love to share with others. My mission is to influence and inspire people of all ages to reach their peak potential.

Fitness Certifications:

· Certified Personal Trainer (National Personal Training Association)

· Certified TRX Suspension Instructor

· Certified BodyShred Instructor

· Group Fitness Instructor

Family

· Married (20yrs) to my beautifully/multi -talented wife ArCina

· We have two children ages 22 & 19

Community Involvement & Volunteer

· Group Fitness Instructor @ Texas Family Fitness (Keller) since 2017.

· Youth Football Coach (2005, 2007 – 2010)

Hobbies

· Exercising (i.e. weights, circuit training, yoga, obstacle courses)

· Reading (Self Improvement/Development books)

Golfing