Coaches
Our Team

Derek Brunson
Owner
Derek Brunson is a professional mixed martial artist who currently fights in the middleweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, you will find Derek around the local shops in downtown and Wrightsville.
"After seeing how important it was for me to have a good mentor as a child, I decided as an adult that I wanted to be a good role model and I had always wanted to have my own gym. This way I get the opportunity to connect with so many kids and adults. I want them to see that if they are willing to put in the hard work and time into their craft, they can achieve things they never thought they could." - Derek Brunson
Derek Brunson's Martial Art Background
Black belt under Renzo Gracie BJJ
3x D2 NCAA All American (2003, 2005, 2006)
2002 NC State Champion in Freestyle & Greco
Tied for the most 1st round finishes in UFC history
2nd most knockouts at the Middleweight Division in UFC history
Dre Herd
Striking Coach
Dre Herd - Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, you may know him from Survivor: Fuiji & striking coach for UFC fighter Derek Brunson! He teaches various classes from Striking, MMA, and Kickboxing & Muay Thai If you like a private session with Coach Dre Herd, please contact us.
Dre Herd Martial Art Background
Golden Gloves Boxing
3x 1st place
1x 2nd place
Pro MMA fighter

Austin Trotman
Wrestling Coach
Austin Trotman
Martial Art Background
Light heavyweight professional MMA fighter
2 x NC State Champion
D1 Wrestling All American
USA team member

James Brown
Kickboxing Coach
James Brown's Martial Art Background
2nd Don Taekwondo Black Belt
2nd Don Hapkido Black Belt
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Blue Belt
Undefeated MMA Amateur
Hundred plus Taekwondo/Karate Point Sparring Gold Metals

Bryan Bartlett
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach - Black Belt
He teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Monday & Wednesday
Adults BJJ NoGi at 7am-8am
Adults BJJ Gi at 7pm - 8pm
Saturday:
Youth BJJ Gi at 10am - 11am
Adults BJJ Gi at 11am - 12pm
If you like a private session with Coach Bryan, please contact us.
Bryan Bartlett's Martial Art Background
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Black Belt
Wrestling

Chris Fowler
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach - Black Belt
He teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Adults and youth classes. If you like a private session with Coach Chris, please contact us.
Chris Fowler's Martial Art Background
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Black Belt

Vincent Morelli
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach
He is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach at Brunson's MMA & Fitness. He teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Monday - Saturday If you like a private session with Coach Vinny, please contact us.
Vincent Moreli's Martial Art Background
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Brown Belt
10+ years Kickboxing

Gus Morelli
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach
He is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach at Brunson's MMA & Fitness. He helps teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Monday - Fridays He teaches a BJJ Competition class every Friday at 5pm - 8pm If you like a private session with Coach Gus, please contact us.
Gus Morelli Martial Art Background
1st Degree Black Belt in Chun Kuk Do
2021 Pan Kids IBJJF Championship (Orange-Green) (1st Place)
U.S. 2019 National Pro UAEJJF Championship (Orange-Green)(1st Place)
2019 WCJJO World Championship (1st Place)
NCWAY 2020 State Championship (3rd Place)
1-1 Amateur Kickboxer
2022 Pan Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship (Blue) (3rd Place)