INSTRUCTORS
Professor David Branch is a 2nd Degree Black Belt under the Legendary Renzo Gracie and John Danaher. David Branch started training under Relson Gracie at the age of 22 years old. In 2004, he started training at the acclaimed Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New York City. David has competed and won numerous Jiu Jitsu tournaments across the country. He is a two-time Pan-American Champion, ADCC Trials Competitor, Bellator Veteran, former two-division WSOF Champion, former ranked #7 UFC Middleweight and current One Fighting Championship middle weight and light heavyweight.
Kru Amin Jlassi is the head of our Muay Thai program and is a prior professional Muay-Thai fighter and international champion. Amin fought in many prestigious Bangkok stadiums like Lumpinee and Rajadamnern when he was living and training in Bangkok for many years, out of the hardcore FA GROUP MUAYTHAI GYM. Amin started his Muay-Thai journey when he was 11 years old and had his first fight at 12 years old. After winning the Tunisian Muay-Thai championship 3 times and the African Muay-Thai championship, Amin turned pro in 2010 and moved to Thailand to start his professional career. Amin earned his Kru title (Muay-Thai teacher) from the Kru Muay-Thai association in Bangkok (August 2015), also he has a masters degree in Exercise science and still travels to Thailand frequently to train, update and sharpen his craft.
Professor Michael J. Guarneri, Jr started training BJJ in 2006 eventually earning his black belt under Mike Wacker (Rob Kahn Black Belt) and Samer Marji (Chuck Anzalone Black Belt). He entered and won his first BJJ tournament in 2007. He has since placed first in over 20 BJJ tournaments. Michael also started Boxing under Joey Valle in 2012 and trained under him for about 4 years. Michael's first amateur MMA fight was in 2012. Professor Michael fought seven times as an amateur, ending with a 4-3 record and a title at 140 pounds. In 2017, Professor Michael joined the David Branch Jiu-Jitsu Academy, where he now instructs No Gi and MMA classes.
Professor Matt Loy started his Jiu Jitsu journey in 2009 at Titan Fitness while attending Penn State where he was also a member of the varsity Lacrosse team. He has also trained at Advanced Martial Arts in South Brunswick, NJ. Professor Loy joined the David Branch Jiu Jitsu family in 2013, bringing his knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu and grappling to teach fundamental and intermediate classes at David Branch Jiu Jitsu.
Professor Chris Freeman was introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007 but was sidelined after about 6 months due to an injury. From 2009 to 2012 he trained exclusively in Muay Thai but decided to return to BJJ in 2013, joining the David Branch team. He as since earned is black belt and cross trains in Judo and Wrestling.
Professor DJ Albonico began his martial arts journey as a child and quickly transitioned to focusing on wrestling. He has competed in hundreds of wrestling matches throughout high school/college and was captain of the New York University wrestling team. In 2016, he began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey at David Branch Jiu Jitsu earning is black belt in November 2023. His classes focus on no-gi and feet to floor/takedowns.
Coach Jason Ferguson is currently a Brown Belt under Professor Branch. He started his martial arts with Tae Kwon Do, earning a black belt from Master Yoon. Wrestled competitively in middle school and high school. After moving to Atlanta, he learned to box under the tutelage of Johnny Gant. While in the Marine Corps, he earned a black belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). Upon returning to Atlanta, Ferguson began studying BJJ at X3 sports under Helio "Soneca" Moreira and Israel Gomes (Killer Bees).
Coach Peter Christatos is a brown belt under Professor Branch. He has been training at DBJJ for four years. Peter has also trained boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, and Judo. He previously taught BJJ locally and in Greece.
Coach Nick started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Chicago with the Redzovic brothers and has since been at DBJJ for 6 years, receiving his brown belt from Professor Branch.
Coach Keegan started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor David over 5 years ago and has competed in multiple competitions, medaling once as a Blue Belt. Drop in to the 6PM Fundamentals class every Monday night to learn from Coach Keegan!
Coach Chris “Yorkie” Marchesano started his BJJ journey under Professor David Branch in 2018. A former high school wrestler, Chris took a significant break before he found himself back on the mats, where he immediately fell in love with the cerebral aspect of the sport. Along with learning under Professor Branch, Chris has also had the opportunity of training with John Danaher black belt, Shy Ace, where he developed a formidable leg-lock game. Concentrating on no-gi grappling, Chris is detail-oriented and thorough in his instruction — ensuring that his students possess the necessary foundation for their own journey in the sport. An environmental lawyer and avid traveler, Chris has had the opportunity to train in nearly a dozen countries.
Currently a purple belt under Professor Branch, Chris teaches no-gi classes Tuesday and Sunday mornings. He formats his classes to immerse students in a specific topic for several weeks to provide a consistent, fluid, and thorough learning environment. From escape fundamentals to intricate leg entanglements, if you’re looking to deepen your practice and nerd out with Coach Chris, stop by the gym on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.