Instructors

Black Belt - Founder/Head Instructor/Crypto Enthusiast

Gannon has been training since 2014. He began training under James Coleman at Darcio Lira Jiu Jitsu. In 2017, he was promoted to purple belt and started training under Nakapan Phungephorn at BETA Academy.

In 2020 he started his own Jiu Jitsu Program, (Nexus AJJ, Out of Renegade Combat Sports Club) because he wanted to increase the popularity of Jiu Jitsu in his hometown.

In 2021, shortly after being promoted to brown belt, he was offered the opportunity to fly out to Legion AJJ in San Diego, CA. During this time, he filmed his first instructional with JiuJitsuX, titled Enter the Tomb. After his brief stay at Legion, he was invited to live in the Legion AJJ Fighter House.

After winning matches on Fight To Win 183 and Arte Suave 13, he was promoted to Black belt by Keenan Cornelius and Andris Brunovskis on June 17th, 2022. He and his wife Zanetta Poretti-Lang, whom he met at Legion AJJ, moved back to VA to pursue reopening Nexus AJJ.

Black Belt- Advanced Course Instructor/D&D Master

Andrew grew up in Chantilly, VA. His parents always made him play different sports but he didn’t truly enjoy any of them. Eventually, he found Jiu Jitsu at the age of 17. He was hooked. He has trained under multiple black belts throughout the years, finally earning his black belt under Sean Stoopman at Silverback Academy in 2019. Outside of training you can find him being a personal trainer, spending time with his wife and dog, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. He is also extremely flexible… no, like really flexible. It isn’t normal.

Black Belt - All levels Instructor/Silly Goose

Jake is a lifelong martial artist who grew up in the Fredericksburg area. He started wrestling at the age of 13 and later found Judo, Jiu Jitsu and MMA. After going 3-0 in amateur MMA, he focused his energy back on Jiu Jitsu. He enjoys spending time with his wife, brothers, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. He is also Virgo rising/Sagittarius moon…or something.

Brown Belt - Head Kids Class Instructor/Baker of Breads

Amanda has been training for over 7 years and is an active competitor. She competes both locally and at IBJJF tournaments. She has earned multiple Silver and Bronze medals at IBJJF Master Worlds. She is currently a Tap Cancer Out Ambassador where they seek to raise funds for cancer research. Her home time is spent being a wife, mom, electrical engineer and worship leader. She makes really good cheese cakes.

Brown Belt - All Levels Instructor

Nicholas is another Fredericksburg native, having lived his whole life in the area. He is a former career Fire Fighter/EMT and has been training Jiu Jitsu since 2017. Before finding Jiu Jitsu, he pole vaulted for 8 years through high school and college. All of his free time outside of work is spent lifting, training, coaching, or training with his Belgian Shepherd. He also trains wrestling and Muay Thai.

Brown Belt - Kids Class Instructor/Front Desk Babe

Evan has been training and competing in Jiu Jitsu his entire adult life and has earned multiple gold medals as well as cash prizes for Super Fight victories. He originally trained out of RAM in Lynchburg, VA where he previously lived until he moved to Fredericksburg to attend University of Mary Washington in 2020. He recently graduated college where he majored in Psychology and minored in sarcasm.