JAMES SIMRELL:DIRECTOR BJJ/Sambo/Judo/MMAl

James Simrell began his training, as a teenager, in the sport of boxing under Coach Jose Berrios.  In 1998, James placed 2nd  in the Black Belt Division at the East Coast Judo Competion despite entering the competion as a white belt and was later named the 1998 PA Outstanding Judo Player of the Year.  James is also a Master in the sport of Russian Combat Sambo under Grand Master Alex Barakov, former champion of the USSR.  James currently serves on the Advisory Board of the American Sambo Association. He began his BBJ Training under Marcos Santos of New York City and, ultimately, earned his Black Belt under the late Roni Cardoso of Team Braza in New York City to whom James continues to pay homage both on his website and at his Academy.Currently James is focusing his efforts and training on the art of Muay Thai.

BRIAN MILLER: Head Instructor BJJ

Rat Pack and the Simrell MMA association are very pleased to announce that BJJ phenom Brian Miller has joined our family effective December 2007.  Brian Miller began his martial arts training in 1989 in the art of Kwon Ryu Fu Chi Do Karate, under Tim Hoover, earning his black belt in 1994. During his training in the "traditional" arts, Brian cross trained in both boxing and grappling with the later discipline, ultimately, becoming his art of choice.  Brian began training BJJ with Craig Kukuk in Princeton, NJ long before the art came to prominence within the martial arts community via organizations such as the UFC and Pride.  Over the years, Brain has been a 2 time East Coast Grappling Champion, an Upstate Grappling Champion and a New York State Grappling Champion.  For the past several years, Brian has trained exclusively under the infamous Renzo Gracie at his New York Academy and in 2004 Brian was awarded his Black Belt in BJJ by Renzo himself.  Having taught BJJ and MMA for several years, we are certain that Brian will bring a whole new dimension of training and instruction to Rat Pack  members and to the Simrell MMA Association in general.

JOEL ROBERTS:  Head Instructor  MMA

"Wrestling" Joel Roberts began training in Jr. High School in the sport of wrestling. He followed up a four year high school varsity career with a three year stint as a varsity wrestling coach for Lehighton High School. Joel has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitu for six years and was awarded a Blue Belt "on the spot" by Grand Master Francisco Mansor, 9^th Degree Red Belt during a 2006 seminar. Currently a Brown Belt under James Simrell (Cardoso-Simrell BJJ), Joel fought his first MMA match in June 2007on the "King of the Cage- Explosion" card defeating his opponent, who went into the fight with a record of 11-8, in 45 seconds of the first round by arm bar! He then went on to increase his record to 3-1 when, in August of 2008, he bested previously undefeated Jeff Lentz of Rhino Fight team to improve is record to 5-1 and capture the N.B.F. Super Middleweight Title.  Joel won the 150lb Expert Division title at the 2009 NAGA Battle at the Beach and  is currently training closely with Brian Miller and 3 time World Muay Thai Champion, Eric Utsch and fighting throughout Pennsylvania as a PRO MMA Fighter.

MATTHEW RIDDLE:  Alumni Instructor

From June 2007 through April 2008, Rat Pack had the pleasure of having Matthew Riddle as our Monday night instructor and as a member of the Simrell MMA fight Team. During his tenure at Rat Pack, he  captured the 190lb Advanced titles at NAGA's Battle at the Beach (8/07) and Grapplers Quest (10/07) and the Coppa Atlantica BJJ Championships (11/07) and, in between, found time to win his first MMA match at the  Mohegan Sun's "Battle at the Sun II" (9/07) via key lock in the first round.

In January '07 Matthew was selected as one of the cast members on the Spike TV reality series The Ultimate Fighter, Season 7 and on April 9, 2007 he earned his way into the Ultimate Fighter house with a  second round KO of Matt Serra brown belt Dan Simmler which was promptly dubbed "the knockout of the century" by none other than UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Currently Matthew is 3-0 in the UFC and when in town Matthew still makes time to come in to teach and train with the Rat Pack guys.

RON KEBLISH: Instructor BJJ

Sensei Ron Keblish has trained in various styles of martial arts for 20 years.  He currently holds rank in American Tae Kwon Do (3rd Degree Black Belt); Okinawan KoBuDo (Weapons, 1st Dan ); Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Purple Belt under Cardoso/Simrell); Russian Sambo under Cardoso/Simrell (Blue Belt). 

Ron's vast knowledge of both traditional arts and various ground fighting techniques allows him to bring to RPFS a unique and varied approach to martial arts training which he enthusiastically shares with our members.

JOHN KEIFER: Instructor BJJ

John "Giant" Keifer began his martial arts training at Penn State University where he was a member of the Judo Club.  He has studied  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 8 years, currently holding the rank of purple belt,  and presently focuses his classes on both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and on the less restrictive world of mixed martial arts training.

BRENT YODER:  Instructor BJJ:
Brent Yoder of Palmerton is the newest member of the Rat Pack team and is the head grappling instructor for the Junior Fight Team. Brent is currently Purple belt in BJJ under James Simrell and in 2009 he took 1st Place in a 36 man class at the NAGA World Championships, first  place in the Battle on the Battleship, first place at the Greater Pocono Grappling Classic and first place in the intermediate division at NAGA's Battle at the Beach amassing a 20-0 record with 19 submissions . Nicknamed "Tommy Triangles" in light of his preference for that particular move, Brent's grappling and instructing success stems, to a great extent from his consistency, attention to detail and proper form.