Team Members

Team Members

	Ted Stickel 3rd Degree Black Belt Professor Ted has been training in Jiu Jitsu for over 20 years. He received his Black Belt from Professor Nelson Montiero and his First and Second degrees from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. Professor Ted and Professor Montiero opened the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school in San Diego California in the early 90's. Professor Ted later moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Professor Ted opened the first Jiu Jitsu school in the state, Gracie Barra Alaska and was the Head instructor there for over 10 years. Over this period, Professor Ted was invited to Abu Dhabi on several occasions by his friend Sheik Tahnoon to teach and train at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club. He has also trained our troops at Fort Richardson Alaska before their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. His team from Ft. Richardson won Third place in the first all Army Combatives Championships in Ft. Benning GA. In 2001 Professor Ted won Gold and Silver medals in the Pan American Championships. He has trained several MMA fighters that have gone all the way to the UFC. Most notably is Sam Hogar from the first Ultimate Fighter show. Now at Gracie Barra Katy TX. Professor Ted adheres to the teaching methods of Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and believes deeply in his vision for the future of Jiu Jitsu.
	Chris Mango Brown Belt Coach Mango brings a unique, analytical approach to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instruction. Mango believes that the key ingredients for success in martial arts are extreme fitness, excellent technique and a positive mental outlook. As a champion athlete, Chris strives to motivate and instill these attributes in all the students at our academy. A two time Gold medalist in the Pan-Am Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Championships, (2006 & 2007), a Bronze medalist in men’s purple/brown belt division of the 2007 U.S. Nationals Grapplers Quest, and a Gold Medalist, in the 2008 Best of the West- Grapplers Quest. He is also a 2009 North American Abu Dhabi Pro purple belt silver medalist. Coach Mango has been training in the Martial Arts for over 17 years. After winning various regional and national titles in Tae Kwon Do, Mango began to study Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since the age of 12. Mango holds black belts in Tae Kwon Do & Judo.
	Alex Cisne Brown Belt Cisne began Martial Arts training 20 years ago. Like our other coaches he found that he could create a more effective fighter in a shorter amount of time by disregarding ineffective techniques and forms. This led Cisne to San Shou Kickboxing. Cisne later joined the ranks of professional fighting. A man who constantly strives to add to his Martial Arts arsenal he was no stranger to the grappling arts. Cisne had begun Judo at the age of 16, later he would delve into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Coach Cisne won the National Team Trials in Sanshou in 2007,2008,2009, and 2010. He also won the Pan American Games in Sanshou in 2010. He is an accomplished Professional MMA fighter and is the current WGC Welterweight Champion. Coach Cisne continues to pursue his personal goals, but like the other coaches at the Gracie Barra Katy facility he puts the student body before his personal training. Like all the Coaches of The Round Table Cisne strives to make winning fighters in the least amount of time.
	Trainer Kenny Burke Kenny Burke is the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Gracie Barra Katy. He has been involved in personal training and fitness for over fifteen years. His mission at Gracie Barra is to prepare our athletes for the most extreme conditions they may face, whether on the mat in BJJ or Judo, or when they step into the cage for MMA fights. He also has the benefit of working with average, everyday students who may not be interested in competition. Kenny is a Professional MMA fighter and often competes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition. His accomplishments include: 2007, 2008 ChinWoo Full Contact San Shou Champion 2007, 2008 US Martial Arts San Shou Champion 2008-2009 USACA Welterweight Champion (170 lbs) 2008 Texas Amateur Fighter of the Year
	Aaron Pena Boxing Coach Aaron Pena is our boxing coach at Gracie Barra Katy. His class is a great addition to our striking program. He works very close with our MMA team and can often be seen in the corner during their fights. As a competitor himself, Coach Pena is a Golden Gloves Boxing champion and has competed in Sanshou Kickboxing. His ability to improve the boxing skills of fighters at a rapid rate makes him a key part of the team.