PROFESSOR CHRISTIAN

Professor Christian started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2007 with the Godfather of Alberta Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Josh Russell. After being drafted to the Calgary Stampeders and playing the 2004 and 2005 season, Christian was looking to still compete in a combat sport and fell in love with the gentle art. Christian was awarded his black belt in 2015, then moved to New Jersey in fall of 2016. While living in New Jersey, Christian studied at multiple schools learning from the top instructors and trained with the highest level grappling athletes in the North East.

Christian trained consistently at Silver Fox BJJ, Renzo Gracie Northern Valley, Renzo Gracie Denville, and the legendary Renzo Gracie HQ in New York, New York on West 30th Street. On a weekly basis, Christian took the train into New York City to attend the lunch competition class taught by John Danaher. Christian’s training partners typically would include Jake Shields, Gordon Ryan, Daniel Gracie, Nick Rodriguez, Brian Glick, and Igor and Gregor Gracie.

In 2019, Christian returned home to Calgary and opened Rocky Mountain Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Christian has medaled in the New York Open, World Masters, ADCC Open, ADCC trials, Grappling Industries, has won numerous super fights and countless CBJJF gold medals.

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlos Gracie JR > Josh Russell > Christian Simmerling

PROFESSOR CLAY “BOA”

Clay has the been a martial artist for over 20 years with a pro MMA record of 9W and 8L.

Clay trained at Tri Star with the likes of Rory McDonald and George St Pierre. He has won multiple super fights in Submission Underground, Mind Body and FILA World Combat Grappling.

Currently, Clay’s passion for Jiu Jitsu is driven by his desire to torment lower belts and to remind them daily how worthless they truly are.

PROFESSOR MORNE

Professor Morne, started his martial arts journey when he was seven years old. Watching, and eventually training and competing, in Judo in South Africa with his father, a black belt and multiple National Champion. It became a lifestyle to travel and compete and he hopes to pass this down to his daughter one day.

Morne trained in Judo, MMA and Jiu-Jitsu, competing in all three sports and winning multiple tournaments including a Heavy Weight Championship in MMA, and was the National Champion in Judo in 2012.

Morne moved to Canada in 2019 and continued Jiu-Jitsu under Professor CJ Hollett. Receiving his black belt in 2023. He continues to train and compete. He started coaching at Rocky Mountain at the start of 2022 and continues to coach and share the knowledge he gained over years of training and fighting.

PROFESSOR COLBY

Colby Sutton is one of our head Instructors at Rocky. Colby brings a technical and analytical approach to his teaching and training. He studies current Jiu Jitsu trends and expects his students to precisely follow the given principles and give great effort. Colby is regarded as one of Calgary’s best NoGi instructors. He received his Black Belt in 2019, from CJ Hollet.

PROFESSOR REUBEN

I began my Jiu Jitsu career in 2011 after being invited to a class by a close friend. I immediately took an interest in the sport and have not stopped training since that first class. I spent most of my training years at MMA University, which led to a brief stint in the MMA world. At purple belt, I realized it wasn't for me and decided to focus on Jiu Jitsu. I earned my black belt from Tim Blanchard at Alavanca and have since moved to Rocky Mountain to sharpen my knowledge and to share it with whomever may want to learn as well.

PROFESSOR NIKOLAY

Nikolay started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2005 at the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fight Club. Before coming to Calgary, Nikolay actively trained and competed in various sports, including Judo, Sambo, Combat Sambo, Powerlifting, and Arm Wrestling. Since 2005, he has focused on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, actively competing in events across Alberta and Canada. He was awarded his black belt in 2012 under Alex Roque and Edson Carvalho. Nikolay has medaled in many competitions, including winning the Alberta CBJJF Championship twice in the Adult Black Belt division. He enjoys sharing his experience with others by coaching at Rocky Mountain. Holding a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary, Nikolay explains the mechanics of different techniques, demonstrating proper applications of forces, creation of leverages, and usage of inertial forces, which helps lower belts gain a deeper understanding of Jiu Jitsu.

Coach Ty “Pitbull” Bridgwater

Wrestling for 16 years.  Brock University scholarship. U Sports National Championships, Silver and Bronze. Wrestled in the World Championships for Team Canada. Leg Locker, Niagara Top Team. 

COACH MIKE G “OYSTER”

The East Coast Oyster, Mike G, was born and raised in New Brunswick and moved to Calgary in 2006. Mike has always had a love of sports, playing football in high school and rec hockey, he also adventured to Thailand to attend a Muay Thai school.  It wasn’t until 2014 that he wandered into a Jiu Jitsu school to learn some self defence and knew immediately he wanted to pursue the sport further.

Mike is currently a brown belt and his passion for Jiu Jitsu is as strong as ever. Now you can find Mike proudly teaching Rocky’s 6 am morning classes. Mike describes himself as hardworking, technical, dedicated, kind and patient. Eager to continue to learn and to help people grow their skill and knowledge of Jiu Jitsu. When he’s not on the mats, you can find Mike adventuring with his wife and two young kids and trying to arm wrestle anyone who is willing. 

COACH MARK “MOUNTAIN GOAT”

Mark started training Jiu Jitsu in 2016 at Affinity Academy and joined Rocky in 2020. Coach Mark does things one way and that’s “All IN” Mark is a ferocious competitor with victories over seasoned black belts, he is well known for his aggressiveness and top pressure. Mark fills in coaching when he has free time from leading his construction company.

COACH CALEB “BEAR”

Growing up I didn't have any opportunities to play orginaized sports but I've always had a love of sports and working out. During my grade 11 year, I had the opportunity to wrestle at Rundle College. I instantly fell in love with grappling during that time but unfortunately, due to Government overreach, wrestling was canceled in my grade 12 year. That's when I found Rocky Mountain. After my first class, I knew this was the gym for me. Since starting Jiu Jitsu, it's become a strong passion of mine and has led me to travel Canada and the US to train and compete. I've spent time at Renzo Gracie Austin and B Team Jiu Jitsu training and learning from some of the best in the world. I'm always excited to pass on the knowledge I've learned onto others. *A Rocky Mountain Original!

COACH MIKE

Coach Mike started training Jiu Jitsu in 2017. He has competed in Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing and MMA. Mike received his purple belt from Professor Brian Bird at Champion’s Creed in 2022. Mike moved to Rocky Mountain Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2023 to continue his passion in teaching children and youth under the tutelage of Christian Simmerling. His extensive background in sports like hockey, endurance running, and wrestling has made him a great mentor to our youth.