ATHLETES AND INSTRUCTORS

HEAD BJJ PROFESSOR & MMA COACH

Marcos Cunha

Professor Marcos Cunha is a 5th-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the head of The Match Champ (TMC), a globally recognized network with over 36 academies across Brazil, Canada, and the United States. With more than 30 years of experience in Jiu-Jitsu, he has been a black belt for over 29 years and has promoted over 120 black belts under TMC. As the head coach of the competition team, he has guided athletes to victory in some of the world’s most prestigious BJJ tournaments, including those in the UAE, Europe, Brazil, and the USA, with many of his students becoming world champions.

Professor Cunha, originally from Rio de Janeiro (Carioca), made his home in Santa Catarina, where he grew into an iconic figure in the Jiu-Jitsu community. His passion for the art has driven him to establish a network of academies around the world, with TMC’s headquarters now located in the heart of Johnson County, Kansas.

In addition to his role as an educator and competitor, Professor Marcos Cunha is the founder of the UCLA Project, a program aimed at developing competition athletes from across Brazil. This initiative identifies talented individuals with the potential to pursue Jiu-Jitsu as a full-time career, offering them specialized training, physical preparation, and English language lessons to help them excel on the global stage. Through his vision and unwavering commitment, Marcos Cunha has turned the dreams of many athletes into reality, shaping the future of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu worldwide.

HEAD FUNDAMENTAL BJJ PROFESSOR

Heath “Val” Chitwood

Professor Val is a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, trains under Professor Marcos Cunha, and the head instructor for Fundamental BJJ. Passionate about teaching, he excels at guiding both advanced practitioners and beginners alike, making the art accessible and engaging for all.

WOMEN’S BJJ PROFESSOR

Maria Eduarda “Duda” Tozoni Ono

Maria Eduarda Tozoni Ono, better known as Duda Tozoni, is a 22-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete from Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil. She began her Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2013 under the guidance of Master Marcos Cunha. Over the years, Duda has become a formidable competitor, earning international podiums and major titles, including European Champion, South American Champion, Brazilian Champion, Grand Slam titles, and several open championships worldwide.

Duda’s passion for teaching and sharing Jiu-Jitsu with others started early. At just 12 years old, while still an orange belt, she began assisting her instructor with children’s classes. By the time she was 17 and a blue belt, she was entrusted with her own children’s class, supervised by Master Marcos Cunha. Since then, she has accumulated over six years of experience teaching kids, which continues to the present day as a black belt.

In addition to her competition and teaching achievements, Duda has pursued self-defense training and has been involved in self-defense classes for women, working alongside local women’s police stations to promote the importance of martial arts for personal safety.

Her dedication to understanding the full scope of Jiu-Jitsu has extended to refereeing. Encouraged by her instructor to learn the rules of the sport, Duda began officiating at internal academy tournaments as an orange belt. By the time she reached brown belt, she had begun refereeing professional competitions and is now an official IBJJF referee, further cementing her expertise and commitment to the sport.

NOGI BJJ PROFESSOR

Wanderson Martello

Wanderson Martello, 22 years old, was born in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil. He began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in January 2014 through a social project with Professor Douglas Freitas, a student of Master Marcos Cunha. In 2015, he had the opportunity to train at Master Marcos Cunha’s academy, where he honed his skills and earned numerous state, national, and international titles over the years.

In 2018, Wanderson took the next step in his Jiu-Jitsu journey by becoming an instructor at Match Champ Academy, where he has been sharing his knowledge with students ever since. In 2019, he expanded his martial arts expertise by starting wrestling with Professor Douglas Freitas, eventually becoming the state champion in the sport.

Through dedication and hard work, Wanderson has become a respected competitor and instructor, continuing to grow in both Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling.

FUNDAMENTAL BJJ PROFESSOR

Bruno “Perfume” Caglioni

Perfume is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under professor Marcos Cunha. He loves to teach the art and enjoys competing at all major events.  He is not only a fun instructor to learn from, but is highly skilled in both GI and NoGI Jiu Jitsu.

NOGI BJJ PROFESSOR

Bruno Sena

Bruno Sena, a 22-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete from Macapá, Amapá, is a black belt renowned for his impeccable technique and relentless determination. He began his journey in the sport at the age of 12, quickly showcasing natural talent and a deep passion for the art. Over the years, he has grown into a high-level competitor, actively representing his team on the global stage and earning an impressive list of accolades.

A versatile practitioner, Bruno excels in both Gi and No-Gi formats. His exceptional adaptation to No-Gi techniques highlights his flexibility, agility, and creativity. Known for his innovative submissions and strategic approach, he consistently outperforms opponents, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the sport. His achievements include being a two-time CBJJ Brazilian Champion, an IBJJF World Championship podium finisher, an IBJJF Pan Championship podium finisher, and an AJP Grand Slam Champion, among other prestigious titles.

Bruno proudly represents the “The Math Champ” team under the guidance of Master Marcos Cunha, continuing to make strides in the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

FUNDAMENTAL BJJ INSTRUCTOR AND COACH

Jesse Copp

Jesse is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt under Professor Marcos Cunha and serves as an instructor for the Fundamental Jiu-Jitsu program. Renowned for his infectious smile and welcoming demeanor, he specializes in both GI and NOGI techniques. Since beginning his competitive journey in 2019, Jesse has made impressive strides, including placing 3rd at the 2024 Pan American Championship and earning podium finishes in multiple IBJJF Open competitions. He has also showcased his skills by securing victories in two professional bouts at the Blue Corner Championships.

Jesse brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and passion to his teaching, always eager to share his knowledge and inspire his students. Outside the gym, he is a devoted father to three beautiful daughters, an avid traveler who enjoys visiting Jiu-Jitsu academies across the United States, and a man deeply committed to personal growth and his faith.

BJJ PROFESSOR

Kazuma Terada

Kazuma Terada, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from Fukuoka, Japan, is a distinguished competitor with a decorated career. He achieved a bronze medal at the 2024 Master Worlds in Las Vegas as a brown belt in the GI and was ranked 1st globally in the Master 3 Purple Belt GI category in 2022. Kazuma also held the top world ranking as a Blue Belt in 2021, earning back-to-back gold medals at the Master Worlds in Las Vegas as both a blue and purple belt.

In addition to his exceptional accomplishments, Kazuma secured a silver medal in the Master 3 Blue Belt No-GI division at the 2021 Master World No-GI tournament in Dallas, Texas, and another silver at the 2020 Master Worlds in Orlando, Florida, as a Master 3 Blue Belt GI. His competitive journey began with a bronze medal at the 2019 Master 2 Novice tournament in Las Vegas as a white belt.

A two-time Pan American champion in both GI and No-GI, Kazuma has consistently excelled in major tournaments, claiming numerous championships at IBJJF Opens across the U.S. from 2018 to 2025. His victories also extend to prominent events like CXBJJ, Blue Corner at Harrah’s Casino, Fuji BJJ, Grappling Industries, Velox Fighting League, and the American Grappling Federation.

Renowned for his mastery of Triangle submissions, Kazuma is as passionate about teaching as he is about competing. Outside of BJJ, he enjoys spending time with his wife, and their two sons, both of whom also practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

KIDS BJJ

Eduarda Cunha

Jiu-Jitsu has always been a part of my life, with my father being my first teacher, but it wasn’t until I started training myself that I truly understood the passion behind it. I’ve been training since I was 7 years old, and now as a blue belt, I still feel that excitement. I love the adrenaline of each session, the support I receive from everyone around me, and how Jiu-Jitsu teaches valuable lessons both on and off the mat.

For me, the most important thing is learning to enjoy the process while working towards your goals. The journey is just as meaningful as the achievement.

MUAY THAI / KICKBOXING INSTRUCTOR

Benjamin Nogueras Jr

I’m originally from Cayey, Puerto Rico, but raised all over the world, due to my fathers twenty-Seven years of service, in the Army. I started Amateur Boxing and Martial Arts early on in life due to some Puerto Rican tradition and some of life’s circumstances. Most Puerto Rican kids start at an early age playing Baseball and Boxing. Those are our two staple sports in my culture. I first started boxing when I was 9 yrs old, and boxed for the local Military Base YMCA. I was a short and skinny little kid, and occasionally ended up on the wrong side of being bullied for a number of reasons. I didn’t speak English fluently coming from Puerto Rico, and I was short and Skinny. I was a prime target for bullying. My father was a Sergent in the Army, and realized quickly that the direction of the bullying was going in the wrong direction. As a kid, I had had enough, and as a parent, my father new he needed to intervene. He enrolled me into boxing to help build my confidence, and to teach me not to be afraid of taking a punch. 

MUAY THAI / KICKBOXING INSTRUCTOR AND COACH

David Hyer

David brings a distinctive and dynamic approach to Kickboxing and Muay Thai, blending years of teaching, coaching, and competition experience into his instruction. Passionate about sharing his expertise, David thrives on helping his teammates and students grow, whether they are seasoned practitioners, beginners, or kids eager to learn and put in the effort. His dedication, skill, and approachable teaching style make him an exceptional coach for students of all levels.

MUAY THAI / KICKBOXING INSTRUCTOR

David Curtin

David is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, as well as a skilled Muay Thai and kickboxing coach and competitor. With years of experience and a deep commitment to helping others succeed, his passion for martial arts and teaching is evident in everything he does. David’s dedication to his craft and his students makes him an inspiring and impactful coach.

6741 W. 135th Unit A69, Overland Park, Ks 66223

(913) 390-3032