Head Instructors

Sensei Rick Alford

Founder and Head Instructor

Sensei Rick Alford has been training in the Martial Arts for 28 years and has been teaching professionally for since 1999.  Rick Alford holds Black belts in 4 disciplines, and is the National Director for Integrated Combat Arts Training (iCAT).  Sensei Rick created a highly effective Bully Resolution program called Brave the Bully™ which he certifies other instructors and teaches at the school and at local public schools, Boys and Girl Scout troops, and other youth organizations. Additionally, Rick is an experienced Emergency Medical Technician with training in advanced CPR, emergency medical and fire dispatch.

Rick founded Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy. He also co-founded Lynnfield Martial Arts Academy with Sensei Larry Ruisi in 1999 and has built a unique school that encompasses the very best instruction in practical, reality-based self protection through specialties such as Small Circle Jujitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai. Defensive Edge is also a member of American Top Team, the largest and most active fight team in the world today.

Highlights:

• Small Circle Jujitsu 3rd Degree Blackbelt under Master Ed Melaugh & Professor Wally Jay.
• Blackbelt SENTO under founder Walt Lysak Jr.
• Blackbelt Castoldi's Street Jujitsu Under Professor Dave Castoldi.
• Purple Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Andre "Dedeco" Almeida
• iCAT Martial Arts - National Director.
• Member of iCAT Martial Arts Masters Alliance
• Certified RMA II Pro Coach from iCAT Founders Richard Ryan & Walt Lysak Jr.
• Certified Tribal Leader Level II in Kali / Escrima / Arnis under Guru Michael Williams.
• Certified Level I Muay Thai under Kru Ciano Delucia
• Certified F.I.G.H.T. (Fierce Israeli Hand-to-Hand Tactics) Instructor under founder Mike Lee Kanarek.
• Blackbelt Instructor Chung Moo Quan.
• Studied Kung Fu for 4 years under Dr. Yang Jwing Ming. Studies included: Shao lin Chin-na (joint locks), Chang Chuan (Shao Lin Long Fist), Tai Chi - Chi Kung (internal exercises), and White Crane Kung Fu (Pai Huo).
• Captain CRLS wrestling team; 4 Year Varsity; Suburban League all-star and MVP (wrestling).

Sensei Larry Ruisi
Head Instructor

Larry has been training in the Martial Arts since 1986. He is the founder of Modern Defense Martial Arts and co-founded Lynnfield Martial Arts Academy with Rick Alford in 1999. Larry has his 4th Degree black belt in Small Circle Jujitsu. He also Certified Tribal Leader in Filipino Martial Arts under Guru Michael Williams.

Highlights:

• Small Circle Jujitsu 4th Degree Blackbelt under Soke Dai (inheritor) Ed Melaugh & Professor Wally Jay
• Currently training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts under Andre "Dedeco" Almeida
• Certified Tribal Leader in Filipino Martial Arts
• Studied Kung Fu under Dr. Yang Jwing Ming. Studies included: Shao lin Chin-na (joint locks), Chang Chuan (Shao Lin Long Fist King Fu), Tai Chi - Chi Kung (internal exercises), and White Crane Kung Fu (Pai Huo)
• Certified Blackbelt Instructor Chung Moo Quan.

Andre Dedeco Almeida

Head Instructor Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Throughout his career, Dedeco has proven to be a force in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world, both in Brazil and in the U.S. He is a 4th Degree Black belt under Ricardo Liborio, Founder & Owner of American Top Team, & Murillo Bustemante. After an incredibly successful career as a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and World Champion, Dedeco founded Best Way Jiu-Jitsu in 1996 and has dedicated himself to passing on his expertise in Jiu-Jitsu to the next generation. The Best Way family is represented on the Champions podium at all major tournaments and Defensive Edge is thrilled to have Dedeco as the Head Instructor of our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program.

Highlights:

• 4th Degree Blackbelt under ATT Founder Ricardo Liborio
• World Champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Pan American Champion
• 2 Time Brazilian Champion
• 7 Time Brazilian State Champion
• NAGA Champion
• ABKF Champion
• Un-Defeated from White Belt through Brown Belt
• Trained over 30 Black Belts, including World Champions Pan American Champions and MMA Champions
• Led his team to over 50 Team Titles

Ciano Delucia

Muay Thai Instructor

Kru Ciano Delucia has been an instructor of Muay Thai for over 20 years. He studied at Fairtex Fitness in Revere , MA and under these highly-regarded masters:

• Master Surachai Sirisute,
• Master Toddy,
• Master Francis Fong,
• Arjarn Apidej.

His professional fighting record stands at 6 and 2 with four first round knock-outs.

Michele Penta
Fitness Kickboxing Instructor

Michele has been teaching an explosive Fitness Kickboxing class at Defensive Edge Since September 2008. Classes filled up so fast we had to add extra sessions!

2006 AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor
YogaFit Level 1
Certified TurboKick Instructor
2010 Certified Personal Trainer American College of Sports Medicine.