Instructors

Nick "Chewy" Albin

Undefeated Professional   M.M.A fighter Nick “Chewy” Albin is the Head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/M.M.A Coach at Derby City Mixed Martial Arts. Chewy (as he is known in the gym) got his start in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2003. A wrestler since he was in middle school, Chewy’s love of competition sparked his interest in BJJ. After only 2 weeks of training he went to his first BJJ tournament taking 2nd place. After that he was hooked! Since then Chewy has had hundreds of grappling matches, won or placed in the top of many event such as the Arnold Classic, North American Grappling Association, Extreme Grappling Open, Ohio Grappling Challenge, IBJJF  tournaments. He has a Mixed Martial Arts record of 10-0. In these fights his aggressive style of BJJ has allowed him to finish all his fights in the 1st round. Along with being a strong competitor Chewy is also a extremely technical and detailed teacher. His knowledge and excitement of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu definitely shows when he teaches. Chewy has also has had the privilege of teaching men and women of the Armed Services and Law Enforcement helping them with their self defense needs.

Chewy teaches and  trains Brazilian Jiu-jitsu/M.M.A full time and we are thrilled to have him here at Derby City Mixed Martial Arts.

Alex Manley

Specializing in the Sweet Science, Alex Manley is a USA Boxing Certified Instructor at Derby City MMA. As the Head Boxing Coach leads an amateur boxing team that competes regularly throughout the season in various tournaments and club shows. Alex has also worked with Military and Police personnel. In addition to working with amateur boxers, Alex has coached numerous MMA fighters both Professional and Amateur to victory and is licensed with KBWA as an MMA Trainer. He is also the primary cutman for Derby City and is present at every event to ensure the safety of the fighters as well as coach them in the standup portion of MMA.

Kyle Cannon

Renato Tavares Black Belt Kyle Cannon, the other half to the infamous Cannon Brothers, has also been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 15 years. Kyle has been traveling back and forth to Brazil to train with some of the best teams in Sao Paulo for over 5 years. Kyle also continues to train with Master Renato Tavares quarterly to keep Derby City MMA up to date with the best training possible.

Colin Cannon

Renato Tavares Black Belt Colin Cannon, one half of the infamous Cannon Brothers, has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 15 years. Colin Cannon along side his brother Kyle Cannon is widely renowned as pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Kentucky and for founding the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school in Louisville. Colin continues to train with Master Renato Tavares of American Top Team on a regular basis bringing a high level of skill to Derby City MMA

Jason Keaton

Jason Keaton has fought in the King of the Cage, Kentucky fighting Challenge, Extreme Combat Challenge and other promotions. Jason is also American Top Team Instructor Renato Tavares first american black belt.In addition to being a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu he also holds rank as black belt in Sambo and a brown belt in Judo.As a senior Level 4 combatives instructor at Ft.Knox Jason has trained over 7,000 soldiers not to mention coaching UFC fighter Dan Barrera.

Derek Cissell

Owner of Derby City MMA Derek Cissell is currently a purple in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renato Tavares of American Top Team and has been practicing BJJ for over 7 years. Along with running the Derby City Derek also instructs the BJJ basic classes on Tuesday and Thursday evening

Mike Colley

Head wrestling coach Mike Colley has over 25 years of grappling experience.  He is a former NCAA collegiate wrestler.  He has a background in folk style, freestyle, and Greco-roman wrestling.  On top of his wrestling background he has been involved in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, and Judo since 2003.  He combines his backgrounds in a way that is applicable to MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu alike.

Some of his accomplishments include:
-4x Gold Medalist Arnold World Grappling Championships
-2010 Pro Gear Gold Medalist
-2009 Extreme Grappling Open Competitor Of The Year
-2x National Team Member
-Silver Medalist Music City Grappling Championship
-3x Gold Medalist Louisville EGO
-Gold Medalist Super EGO
-Silver Medalist Nashville Open
-Gold Medalist Blugrass Open    

Brandon Sandefur

Assistant wrestling coach Brandon Sandefur has over 15 years of wrestling experience.  He is a former collegiate wrestler and 2x NJCAA National Qualifier.  In addition to wrestling, Sandefur has been competing in MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2006 while serving in the United States Army.  He is currently on the path to a professional fighting career in mixed martial arts.

Accomplishments:
-2009 Abu Dhabi Southwest Regional Champion 145.9 lbs
-2007 All Army Combatives Championships, 3rd place 140 lbs
-2x NJCAA National Qualifier 125 lbs, 2003 & 2004
-Indiana State Qualifier 119 lbs, 2002
-Gold Medalist 2010 Louisville EGO, Gi (Blue Belt), No Gi (Advanced), 145.2 lbs
-Bronze Certified Coach, USA Wrestling

Jeff Swoyer

Undefeated MMA fighter Jeff Swoyer as been training for over 6 years and is the assistant boxing coach at Derby City MMA. In addition to boxing Jeff is no stranger to wrestling and is currently a blue belt in BJJ. Jeff continues to train for MMA fights on a regular basis and teaches all Saturday morning boxing classes.

Chad Hardy

Chad Hardy known in the gym as "The Beast" has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu over 5 years. Chad has been a dominating force on the BJJ tournament circuit with multiple BJJ championships and almost a hundred matches some of which have been wins over grown adults. Chad is the assistant kids BJJ coach and currently holds the rank of blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.