Meet The Team

Kickboxing Coach

Brandon Murray

Brandon is a veteran of the US Army and a lifelong martial artist with over 20 years experience.

 He has competed in many striking and grappling competitions across different artforms, including Japanese jui jitsu, BJJ, Judo, American Boxing, Karate, and Kickboxing.

He also spent time as a professional sparring partner for various professional MMA and boxing comptetiors as well.

Aside from his time in competition he has over 8 years experience coaching, including kids, adults, amateur and pro competitors.

He also spent time teaching hand to hand combat for the SC National Guard Recruiting & Retention Station in Cottageville SC.

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Jiu-Jitsu Coach

Gerald Duke

I started martial as a kid to combat bullying.  I got away from it but returned when my son was interested in 2007. I started training Brazilian jiu jitsu in 2010 with Dennis Powell at Arts for Fitness. Papa John Gormen promoted me to a blue belt in 2012. I started training with Checkmat in the summer of 2012. I met Chris Popdan that same summer. I've competed many times at NAGA , New Breed and American Grappling Federation.  Chris Popdan  promoted me to purple and brown belt. Some of the people I've had the privilege of training with is Relson Gracie, Regan Machado, Thiago Sa Forrest Silva, Michelle nicolini,  Guybson Sa, Papa John Gorman, Léo Vieira to name a few. I had my first super fight in 2019 with Sirius grapping.

Jiu Jitsu Coach

Marcos Gutierrez

Marcos began his grappling journey when he started wrestling in high school. After high school Marcos joined the Army and was introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu upon being stationed in Georgia, training under Professors Lewis Fletcher and Keith Bach, the former awarding him his Blue Belt. His BJJ journey continued as he moved around the Southeast during his time in the military, training under a number of different schools and professors, as well as competing in Mixed Martial Arts. After moving to Tennessee in 2009 he began training under Professors Israel Gomes and Ray Casias. Professor Ray Casias would ultimately award Marcos with his Purple, Brown, and Black Belt. With an active duty military career that lasted over two decades, Marcos has had the opportunity to train under and with many BJJ professors and practitioners. The both of which have provided him different teaching philosophies and skills that he shares on the mats.

Fitness Coach and Owner

Amy Slaton

Amy is the resident gym mom. She is a NASM certified trainer, lover of squats, box jumps and all those other exercises the rest of us try to avoid. She is also member in the local chapter of the TWAW group. She is all about helping you achieve your fitness goals by being more of a training partner as opposed to just a coach. She will sweat right beside you and ensure your not alone on your fitness journey. 

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She has also been known to occasionally beat up a dummy or two

Front Desk Coordinator

Lacey Luckadoo

Born and raised right here in Moncks Corner. She is a recent graduate of Berkeley High and is the tech savvy smiling face that you'll first see when visiting. She's a lifelong fan of MMA and has trained several arts since she was a kid! She sits at the front and center of all things happening at the facility and will be happy to guide you any way she can.