About
Instructors
We are part of the Tinguinha BJJ Academy Team.
Our team brings together a group of instructors and students that are dedicated to providing the most effective way to learn BJJ.
We are home to the Alaska Wolfpack Fight Team.
The Alaska Wolfpack Fight Team is made up of some the most successful, and widely recognized mixed martial arts competitors in Alaska. Members of the Wolfpack pride themselves on being professionals, both in and out of the cage. They work hard, train hard, and fight hard. Because of their commitment the team has well over a 150 fights with a 70% win record.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Co-Head Instructors
Todd Palmer
& Justin Charon
Black Belts
Todd and Justin have been training BJJ for more than 30 years combined. They each have a different style and perspective which they bring to the students. Todd also holds a Black Belt in Kung Fu San Soo. Justin has traveled extensively to some of the best schools in the country as well as to Brazil; and has brought back with him methods that the top schools are using.
Instructor, General Manager
Ryder Spadafore
Black Belt
Ryder has been training for 8+ years and has a style that compliments his instructors. He brings with him an attention to detail and problem solving skills that help students with a broad range of styles. He leads from the front and can be found on the mat nearly every class. He teaches the BJJ day classes, Kid’s program, and the BJJ evening classes.
Assistant Instructor
Kevin Barber
Purple Belt 4th Stripe
Kevin has been training BJJ and MMA for 14 years. Kevin is the head coach for the MMA program (see MMA section) and assists with the BJJ evening classes. When not training MMA Kevin spends his time looking for continual improvements with his BJJ and that of his students. Kevin took 1st place for his weight class in the Advanced division at the 2010 Alaska State Submission Grappling Championship.
Assistant Instructor
Paul Sturgeon
Purple Belt 1st Stripe
Paul has been training BJJ for more than 10 years. He has also fought in the AFC. Paul is the primary instructor at ABJJ’s Wasilla location.
Assistant Instructor
Brandon Bibee
Brown Belt
Brandon started training BJJ in his early teens at his fathers Kung-Fu gym which hosted the first BJJ school in Alaska. Brandon has been helping teach martial arts to men, women and children for most of his life, he is a great teacher because he is very positive, patient and always willing to roll. Brandon is currently the youngest and lightest BJJ brown belt in the state of Alaska and is always training smart and hard. Brandon took 1st place for his weight class in the Advanced division at the 2010 Alaska State Submission Grappling Championship.
Assistant Instructor
Ken Pejinag
Brown Belt
Ken has been training BJJ for 13 years and Muay Thai for 20 years. He is also a US Army Combatives instructor. Ken splits his time between BJJ and striking arts. Ken took 1st place for his weight class in the Advanced division at the 2010 Alaska State Submission Grappling Championship.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Head Coach
Kevin Barber
15-6
Kevin has been involved in BJJ/MMA for more than 14 years. As a fighter he is known for his advanced submission skill and strength in the cage. As a coach he pushes the team members to new levels and is able to given them no nonsense evaluations of their strengthens and weaknesses. Kevin is currently the Texas No Limits Fights Lightweight Champion. Kevin has previously been the AFC Fighter of the Night (09/05) and held the AFC Welterweight belt until decided to drop a weight class. Having cornered more than a 100 wins in the cage Kevin is the most experienced MMA coach in Alaska.
Assistant Coach
Doug Evans
11-7
Doug comes to the team with almost 20 years of wrestling experience including accomplishments of 3 time Alaska Freestyle Champ and 2 time Alaska Greco-Roman State Champ. Doug is a veteran of the UFC and Elite XC. Other past accomplishments include being the AFC Bantamweight Champion, Peninsula Fight Challenge Lightweight Champion, and Featherweight champion of Shark Fights in Texas. Doug is actively fighting in the Lower 48. Doug took 1st place for his weight class in the Advanced division at the 2010 Alaska State Submission Grappling Championship.
Assistant Coach
Nate Hannah
7-1
Nate wrestled in high school both in California and Alaska where he took 3rd in State. He coached the Chugiak High wrestling team for 3 years and has been training BJJ here at Anchorage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the last 3 years. He is the 2010 Alaska State Submission Grappling Champion in the Intermediate 176lb division. He has been fighting professionally for the last 2 years and is a contender in the 155lb division.
Novice MMA and Self Defense Coach
Jeremy Alf
Jeremy is a Black Belt in Krav Maga and has been involved in that art for more than 8 years. He is a Krav Maga Advanced Military Force Training Instructor as well as a “Fit to Fight” Basic Instructor. He also has a Blue Belt in BJJ. Jeremy teaches basic striking and self defense in our Intro to MMA Class.