Professors & Coaches
The people who'll teach you
Award-winning coaches who genuinely want you to get good — patient with beginners, sharp with competitors, and serious about teaching the why behind every technique.
Mikal Abdullah
Founder & Head Coach — 4th Degree BJJ Black Belt under Rigan Machado · US Army Veteran
BJJ · Advanced BJJ
Founder of Aces (2013), international BJJ champion, 4th Degree Black Belt under 9th Degree Red Belt Rigan Machado, and the professor who leads the coaching staff.
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Ty Strang
BJJ Black Belt — National Champion
BJJ · Muay Thai
National Champion Black Belt under Professor Mikal with proven results coaching kids and adults in BJJ and Muay Thai.
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Greg Hoyle
1st Degree BJJ Black Belt
BJJ
Famously won the NAGA San Antonio Expert (black-belt) division while still a purple belt. Sharp, analytical, leverage-first teaching.
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Andy Gonzalez
BJJ Brown Belt
BJJ
Houston native and Brown Belt under Professor Mikal, passionate about passing his knowledge on to students.
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Sarah Abraham
BJJ Purple Belt
BJJ · Women's Self Defense
Austin-raised regional champion, University of Texas lecturer, and leader of Aces' Women's Self Defense program.
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Luke Wear
BJJ Black Belt
BJJ
Dedicated Aces coach and competitor, 6+ years with the club, known for sharp technique and equally sharp jokes.
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North Houston coaches
Our coaching profiles for North Houston are coming soon. Book a session at our Houston location to meet the team in person.
Meet the coaches
The best introduction is a free class
Free first session plus up to 3 free months of unlimited training in BJJ, Muay Thai, or Fitness Kickboxing on signup. Try it with no pressure — most people are hooked after one class.