Our Martial Art Instructors

Our professional instructors are highly trained in several martial arts disciplines.

All Head Instructors have 25 – 35 years of experience in the Martial Arts and are dedicated to bringing out the best in each and every student.  Defensive Edge is a proud member of Blackbelt Schools International, MAIA (Martial Arts Industry Association), NAPMA (National Association of Professional Martial Artist).  But more important than our blackbelt rankings and Championships is our students achievements!  That is why our instructors continue to be students themselves.  Our instructors continuously train, attend seminars, and research to improve our ability to help our students reach their goals.

adult martial arts classes

Master Rick Alford – Founder of Defensive Edge

  • Founded Defensive Edge Martial Arts 1999
  • Black Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Andre “Dedeco” Almeida
  • 5th Degree Black Belt Lysak’s Sento Method under Walt Lysak Jr.
  • 6th Degree Black Belt Castoldi’s Street Jujitsu under Professor David Castoldi
  • 4th Degree iCAT Reality Martial Arts Under Richard Ryan and Walt Lysak Jr.
  • 3rd Degree Black Belt Small Circle Jujitsu under Soke Ed Melaugh
  • 2nd Degree Black Belt Joe Lewis Fighting Systems under Grand Master Joe Lewis
  • Muay Thai Level III under Ciano Delucia
  • Tribal Leader Level II under Guru Michael Williams
  • Studied White Crane & Long Fist  Kung Fu under Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (1990-1994)
  • 1st Degree Black Belt Chung Moo Quan
  • Training Judo Privately with Olympian Rick Hawn
  • iCAT RMA National Director
  • iCAT RMA Certified Level V Pro-Coach
  • iCAT Team Elite & Masters Alliance Member
  • Certified in F.I.G.H.T. (Fierce Israeli Guerrilla Hand-to-Hand Tactics)
  • NRA Certified Basic Pistol Instructor
  • NRA Certified Home Safety Instructor
  • NRA Refuse to Be a Victim Instructor
  • Mass State Police Licensed LTC Firearm Safety Course Instructor
  • NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
  • Team Captain Wrestling CRLS (1986)
  • MVP Wrestling CRLS (1986)
  • Licensed MMA Trainer – Massachusetts, RI, NH, ME, CT, AL, FL,
  • Former E.M.T. (15 Years)
  • Former Emergency Communications Operator City of Cambridge, MA  (Police, Fire, EMS)
  • Featured Martial Arts Instructor on Lifetime TV’s “Teen Trouble” Hosted by Josh Shipp (January, 2013)
  • Featured on Radio Disney (click here to listen to his interview about bullying) (November, 2012)

Sensei Josh Johnson – Owner and Head Instructor

  • Coaches BJJ. MMA, and Muay Thai
  • 4th Degree Blackbelt Under Rick Alford
  • Black Belt BJJ Under Andre “Dedeco” Almeida
  • 2nd Degree Blackbelt Small Circle Jujitsu Under Rick Alford
  • Muay Thai Level V Certified (Kru) under Ciano Delucia
  • Former Pro MMA Fighter

Connor “Bare Knuckle” Barry – MMA, BJJ, Grappling Coach

Connor

  • Professional MMA Fighter
  • Black Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Chris Piscione
  • MMA and BJJ Coach
  • Certified NASM Personal Trainer
  • Bachelors in Psychology UMass
  • Silver Mitts Champion Boxer

Dave Lyons

Dave Lyons – Muay Thai Head Coach

  • Blackbelt 3rd Degree Defensive Edge RMA/SCJ under Shihan Rick Alford
  • Muay Thai Level V under Kru Ciano Delucia
  • Amateur Muay Thai Fighter

Fernanda Araujo –  Youth Instructor/ Women’s Classes

  • Black belt 2nd Degree Judo
  • Black Belt Defensive Edge Under Shihan Rick Alford
  • Black Belt Shotokan Karate
  • Purple Belt BJJ
  • US Womens 135 Amateur MMA Champion
  • Pro MMA Fighter
  • Pro Boxer
  • IBJJF Pan Am Gold Medalist
  • IBJJF World Championship Silver Medalist

Max Casa – Youth Instructor / Muay Thai Assistant

  • Blackbelt 2nd Degree Defensive Edge RMA/SCJ under Shihan Rick Alford
  • Blackbelt 1st Degree Joe Lewis Fighting Systems
  • Brown Belt iCAT RMA Under Walt Lysak & Richard Ryan & Rick Alford
  • Level I iCAT Instructor Certified
  • Muay Thai Level V Certified Kru Under Kru Ciano Delucia

Mikey Titus – Youth Instructor

  • Brown Belt Defensive Edge RMA/SCJ under Shihan Rick Alford
  • Bluebelt BJJ Under Anderson Silverio

Jake Stats – Youth Instructor

  • 3rd Black Belt (Dan) in Kempo Karate
  • Blue Belt in BJJ under Josh Johnson
  • Multiple tournament wins and medals in Karate and BJJ

Kevin Donle

  • 2nd Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Andre “Dedeco” Almeida
  • Police Officer

Sensei Larry Ruisi – Head Instructor Small Circle Jujitsu

  • 5th Degree Blackbelt Castoldi’s Street Jujitsu under Professor Dave Castoldi
  • 4th Degree Blackbelt Small Circle Jujitsu under Soke Ed Melaugh
  • Studied White Crane & Long Fist  Kung Fu Under Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (5 Years)
  • 1st Degree Blackbelt in Chung Moo Quan
  • Tribal Leader Level II under Guru Michael Williams

Ciano DeLucia – Muay Thai Head Coach

  • Over 30 Years Muay Thai Experience 33 in Martial Arts
  • Trained at Fairtex, Revere MA
  • Trained Under Master Toddy
  • Trained Under Ajarn Apidae (Fairtex)
  • Professional Record of 6-2
  • 4th Degree Blackbelt in Shotokan Karate