Instructors

Professor Scott "TNT" Tannenbaum

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / MMA / Kid Jitsu

Scott began his passion for the Martial Arts at age 4 after watching a Bruce Lee movie. After studying Kung Fu for a couple years Scott was introduced to Aikido. Thrilled by the joint manipulations and throws Scott studied Aikido for several years while simultaneously studying a similar style of Japanese Ju-Jitsu. Always seeking to be a more well rounded Martial Artist, he was determined to improve his striking skills which he felt had been neglected by limiting his training to Aikido and Japanese Ju-Jitsu. Wanting to train in more combat oriented arts he began to train at a Muay Thai and Jeet Kune Do gym and a Ninjutsu Academy on his other nights.

One day in 1993 a good friend and former training partner told him of a "new" martial art he had just begun training in a few months back. It was called "Gracie Jiu-Jitsu". Always willing to try out new things Scott traveled to the nearest Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, an hour and a half away. There he was choked, twisted and controlled as if he had never trained in his life. His eyes were opened and he was hooked. He had been told that this was the most effective Martial Art in the world but he had previously heard that from many students and instructors of other Martial Arts in describing whatever discipline they were studying or teaching.

A few weeks later the first Ultimate Fighting Championship took place on Pay Per View. The UFC was a No Holds Barred competition pitting different disciplines against one another to show which styles were the most effective. The smallest competitor in the event was a skinny Brazilian named Royce Gracie representing his family's art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He easily defeated all the competition even though he was by far the smallest and weakest. After seeing this Scott needed no more convincing that this was the style to learn.

Soon after he moved to California to train with the masters of what today has been termed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Scott has trained extensively with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legends such as Rigan Machado, Royce Gracie and Rickson Gracie and MMA fighters Fabiano Iha, Chris Brennan, Jeremy Williams and Eric Paulson. Scott eventually went on to earn his black belt from World Renowned Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and instructor Rigan Machado. Over the years he has competed in several No Hold Barred and Sanctioned events in which he holds an amateur record of 8-0 and Professional record of 11-2.

Scott continues to have the same philosophy as Rigan of constantly modernizing and updating his Jiu-Jitsu by incorporating wrestling, Judo and Sambo into his arsenal. Today Scott holds a 2nd degree black belt and is the only Internationally Certified black belt instructor in Arizona with Certification under the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation(IBJJF) and the World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Organization(WBBJO).

As a black belt Scott still continues to think of himself as a student of the art and does not let his status restrict him from continually evolving and refining his technique. As an instructor his goals are to have a fun, safe, healthy environment for his students while learning the most realistic and effective self defense in the world.

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Melissa Crick

Cardio Blast / Suspension Training / Kid Jitsu

Melissa has trained under Fairtex certified trainer Apollo Sebastian, Master Chan, and Marc Laimon of Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu for self defense. Her style is primarily from Muay Thai, and she incorporates hardcore cardio into every workout. She pays special attention to the fitness goals of each student.

Melissa is also mom to two active BJJ boys. Fitness is a major part of their life. Today, they continue to compete in BJJ and some MMA/Muay Thai events all over the Western United States. Melissa was on the OSU competitive water ski team in college and began her path to Martial Arts in Karate at that time. Melissa also currently trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has earned two Gold and one Silver medal in NAGA which is one of the largest National grappling tournaments in the world.

Wil Beech

Thai Boxing

Wil Beech has been in martial arts for 20+ years. He began in Kajukenbo Karate and moved up through the ranks, then was introduced to Thai Boxing at North Hollywood Muay Thai Academy. He then continued his training with Richard Batin at Batin's Kickboxing, which was an integral part of his style development and attention to detail. Wil furthered his education in November 1999 in Thailand at the World Muay Thai Council and received Level 1 Certification.

Since then he has gone on to train many amateur and professional fighters such as former IFL and current MFC Champion, Antonio McKee. Along with his passion for Muay Thai he is also a very accomplished Eskrimador. He has had many full contact stick fights with the Dog Brothers and is consistently in the top 3 in major tournaments like WEKAF Western Regional Championships and ESKOA Eskrima Coalition.
He has an undeniable gift for teaching the basics as well as the more sophisticated movements associated with fighting and will turn anyone into a dynamic Thai Boxer or Mixed Martial Arts fighter.

Ernie "Bravo" Hinojosa

Assistant BJJ & Thai Boxing Coach

Ernie grew up in a small town in Texas. Growing up he did all the normal activities from football to rugby. At a young age he trained in karate and while in high school wrestled as part of a conditioning program for football. After graduating from college he moved to Phoenix where he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After his first night of training and getting submitted by smaller opponents he knew this was the sport for him.

Ernie quickly developed a passion for BJJ often training six days a week. Now an as an advanced Purple belt he is an Assistant Jiu-Jitsu Coach at TNT MMA, Ernie finds he is able to explain the techniques in a way that make sense to everyone. Ernie has competed in numerous local and national tournaments and has placed in the top 3 every time he has competed.

Josh Stockman

Assistant BJJ Instructor

Josh began training in grade school, under his father, a Dan Zan Ryu Ju Jitsu Black Belt. He got serious about martial arts in high school, and during college he competed at karate tournaments throughout the Northwest and Southern Canada - placing first at major events such as the Tiger Balm Internationals and the Long Beach IKCs. In 2008 Josh became the Mens Black Belt Arizona State Karate Champion and his martial arts training underwent a major change. A friend invited him to one of TNT's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes at a local gym and, after spending nearly an hour getting "twisted" up he was hooked.

Josh has since become a mat fiend, competing successfully at national submission tournaments such as NAGA and Grappler's Quest and racking up a 3-0 sanctioned MMA record (each by submission!). As a Purple and Brown belt he has submitted numerous nationally ranked black belts in various grappling tournaments. Josh's favorite thing about Jiu- Jitsu is the science of motion that goes into each and every technique, allowing participants to subdue much larger and stronger opponents.

Lee Accountius

Cardio Boot Camp / Assistant Kid Jitsu Coach

Lee has been training under Professor Scott Tannenbaum for more than two years and is currently a senior Blue belt at TNT MMA. He comes from a military family and grew up in the Philippines, Texas and Oklahoma.

Lee�s competitive nature has always drawn him to sports. Along with BJJ, MMA and Muay Thai he still also participates in competitive paintball, soccer, volleyball and track. Lee dedicates himself to Cardio sudents looking to acheive maxumum health and fitness through execise and diet while also helping with the Kid Jitsu classes as well as working with new students.

Mike Klingener

Assistant Kid Jitsu Coach

Mike is a New Jersey native that began his martial arts journey in 2008 under Professor Scott Tannenbaum. Always an athlete Mike was a competitive athlete throughout school in wrestling, football and cross country. Mikes dedication and hard work earned him his Purple belt in just over three years.

Mike volunteers his time to help instruct the Kid Jitsu students as well as our newer adult students. He is currently working hard to achieve his Brown belt.

Duane Linville

Gi BJJ Instructor

Growing up in Iowa Duane began wrestling at a young age eventually earning a scholarship at University of Iowa. Duane later joined the U.S Air Force to serve his country and became a Weapons Systems Officer flying in F-4 Phantom Fighter jets in South Korea. While in Korea he began training in Judo where he often competed in tournaments across the country and eventually earned his black belt.

In 1993 he began training with Rickson Gracie in southern California where he was awarded his brown belt in 2002.
For the past three years Duane has been an Assistant Instructor at TNT MMA where he shares his expertise in wrestling, Judo and BJJ with all of our BJJ students.

Omar "Serious" Cor

MMA Conditioning Coach

Omar began his combat sports career by wrestling at the age of 10. He continued competing through high school, then moved on to train for several years in amateur boxing, competing in many tournaments including The New York State Golden Gloves. In 2006 he began training in Mixed Martial Arts, and fought professionally, having battled 10 times in the cage. In 2008, Omar met Professor Scott Tannenbaum and has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under his tutelage since. He has used those Jiu-Jitsu skills in his professional fights, and has elevated his Jiu-Jitsu level to the rank of Purple belt. Since 2008, he has also competed in grappling and Pankration tournaments across the country and placed in all of them.
Omar brings a combined 20 years of Wrestling, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts experience to help his teammates prepare both physically and mentally for their upcoming fights. By putting the fighters through vigorous training and drills, he helps build their stamina, strength, speed and heart to prepare them for the fight.

Lindsay Long

"I recently started going to the Street Defense class at TNT MMA Training Center. I really enjoy the energy and the instruction I get in the class. And as a police officer, every little bit of training counts. Being a female police officer I often encounter people (both men and women) who are bigger and stronger than me. The techniques Coach Scott teaches work for people of all sizes and strengths. We go over each move several times so it becomes second nature. This class is great for everyone. It is very important to know how to protect yourself and it is even better to have to upper hand in a confrontation. Thank you Coach Scott and see you Wednesday night in class!"