Anchorage Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

ABJJ is part of the Tinguinha BJJ Academy Team (http://www.tinguinha.com/). Our team brings together a group of instructors and students that are dedicated to providing the most effective way to learn BJJ.

ABJJ is the only place in Alaska where on given night of training you are working out with:

Certified BJJ instructors that workout “roll” with the students.
Former State Champions and College level Wrestlers
UFC Veterans
Current and Formers AFC belt holders
Many Military and Law Enforcement personnel

Co-Head Instructors
Todd Palmer & Justin Charon
Brown Belts (4th Stripe)
Todd and Justin have been training BJJ for more than 30 years combined. They each have a different style and perspective which they bring to the students. Todd also holds a Black Belt in Kung Fu San So. Justin has traveled extensively to some of the best schools in the country as well as to Brazil; he has brought back with him the methods that the top schools are using.

Assistant Instructor
Ryder Spadafore
Brown Belt
Ryder has been training for 7+ years and has a style that compliments his instructors. He brings with him an attention to detail and problem solving skills that help students with a broad range of styles. He leads from the front and can be found on the mat nearly every class. He teaches the BJJ day classes, Women's Cardio/Circuit workout, and assist the BJJ night classes.

Assistant Instructor
Kevin Barber
Purple Belt 2nd Stripe
Kevin has been training BJJ and MMA for 13 years. Kevin is the head coach for the MMA program (see below) and also teaches the Women’s Class. When not training MMA Kevin spends his time looking for continual improvements with his BJJ and that of his students.

Assistant Instructor
Ken Pejinag
Brown Belt
Ken has been training BJJ for 12 years and Muay Thai for 19 years. He is also a US Army Combatives instructor. Ken splits his time between BJJ and striking arts.

Assistant Instructor
Paul Sturgeon
Purple Belt

Paul has been training BJJ for more than 10 years. He has also fought in the AFC. Paul is the primary instructor at ABJJ's Wasilla location.

Mixed Marital Arts (MMA)

ABJJ is home to the Alaska Wolfpack Fight Team. The Alaska Wolfpack Fight Team is made up of some the most successful, and widely recognized mixed martial arts competitors in Alaska. Members of the Wolfpack pride themselves on being professionals, both in and out of the cage. They work hard, train hard, and fight hard. Because of their commitment the team has well over a 100 fights with a 70% win record.

Head Coach
Kevin Barber (15-5)
Kevin has been involved in BJJ/MMA for more than 13 years. As a fighter he is known for his advanced submission skill and strength in the cage. As a coach he pushes the team members to new levels and is able to given them no nonsense evaluations of their strengthens and weaknesses. Kevin is currently the Texas No Limits Fights Lightweight Champion. Kevin has previously been the AFC Fighter of the Night (09/05) and held the AFC Welterweight belt until decided to drop a weight class.

Assistant Coach
Doug Evans (10-4)
Doug comes to the team with almost 20 years of wrestling experience including accomplishments of 3 time Alaska Freestyle Champ and 2 time Alaska Greco-Roman State Champ. Doug is a veteran of the UFC and Elite XC. Other past accomplishments include being the AFC Bantamweight Champion and Peninsula Fight Challenge Lightweight Champion. Doug is actively fighting in the Lower 48. Doug is the current Featherweight champion of Shark Fights in Texas.

Other Team Member (non-exclusive list in alphabetical order):

Ryan Ayay (2-2)
Chris Brennan (1-1)

Andy “907 Samurai” Garnand (5-2)
Nate Hannah (6-0)
Dustin “The Juggernaut” Henricks (3-0)
Tim “The Terror” Hendricks (8-3)
Josh “The Ghost” Henry (7-2-1)
Esau Lealaisalanoa (4-1)
Matt “The Beast” Nore (2-1)
Darin Pestrikoff (2-0) Current AFC Bantamweight Champion
Seth Skogstad (7-4). 2 time AFC Fighter of the night.
Jason Taylor (2-0)
Frank Watts (8-3)
Rob “Monster” Yundt (8-4). UFC veteran