INSTRUCTORS
- Primary Instructors:
- RW Pegau
Manager/co-owner, submission grappling coach
RW has been training in BJJ and Submission Grappling since 1998. It was while in the USMC that he found a flyer offering BJJ and Russian Sambo classes in Temecula CA. RW decided to try it out and he has never been the same since. RW trained with the Gi until about 2003 when he started competing in MMA. From there he decided to start training exclusively in No Gi and Sport style submission grappling because it more directly helped his MMA training. Now RW only puts on the Gi for nostalgia purposes. RW has been training under black belt Jiu Jitsu Instructor Eddie Bravo since January of 2008. Eddie Bravo is the founder of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu and utilizes a no-gi game designed for competition both grappling and MMA. RW also started boxing with Rick Welliver at Spokane Boxing in 2005 to help diversify his abilities. RW is also a certified ACE Peer Fitness Trainer and specializes in circuit training style workouts. He brings a very calm and cerebral approach to competition and teaching. His focus is to help manage and apply all the skills learned so that they can be utilized in MMA fighting.
Fight Record: 2-0-0
Win vs. Michael Limiac via Armbar round 2. Quest for the Best 1 at Northern Quest Casino. November 2003
Win vs. Thai Kongchunj via Armbar round 2. Quest for the Best 2 at Northern Quest Casino. January 2004
- Tam Tran
Muay Thai coach
- Martial arts training since 14 years old.
- 14 years experience in the martial arts.
- 10 years of traditional martial arts (black sash in shaolin five animals and wing chun kung fu, black belt in a freestyle karate)
- 4 years of kickboxing and Muay Thai boxing with training in submission wrestling
Achievements:
1996-2002 Local city champ (Forms, weapons, and fighting)
2002 Captured Northwest all martial arts challenge (becoming regional champ in forms, weapons, and fighting)
2002 Competed in SKF international martial arts tournament and fighting.
SKF champion in Forms and weapons
2nd place in Full contact fighting, with International ranking in 2002
Retired and occasionally does some exhibition Muay Thai matches
Tam brings effective conditioning and striking skills to the table along with an avid desire to see his students excel.
· Jacob Powers
Submission Grappling Coach
Takedown Coach
Jacob began his grappling career with high school wrestling at Cheney High School. After that he enlisted in the USMC and began training under an instructor dedicated to Kempo Karate. Jacob continued to study Kempo until the end of his enlistment. He moved back to Spokane to begin his studies and be near his family. It was in 2001 that he began training in BJJ. Jacob has trained hard with the Gi and has competed in both BJJ and Judo Tournaments. Recently Jacob has made the switch from Gi to No Gi training to help accommodate the growing need for No Gi instructors in the Spokane Area.
- Daniel Valdez
Assistant Coach
Daniel has been training with the Hit Pit since it opened. He has competed in numberous grappling competitions and has 2 MMA matches to his credit thus far. Daniel represents an ability level that we hope all of our students can achieve. With his ability to teach what he has learned, we have moved Daniel into an assistant instructor position. Please welcome him to the staff.
· Danny Thomas
Boxing Coach
Consulting Instructors
· Kenji Nitta
Kenji "The Preacher" Nitta
Record: MMA 3-1, BJJ 7-6, Boxing 3-0-1
Accomplishments: 2nd Annual PAC NW BJJ NoGi Int Champion, 3X Cheney HS Smoker Boxing Champ, Revolution NoGi Heavyweight Runner-Up
Age: 29
Weight: 220
Discipline: BJJ/Muay Thai
General: Kenji has been interested in all martial arts from a very early age. He has studied boxing, Muay Thai and BJJ, among others, and is now fighting in local MMA promotions in the Pacific NW. Kenji has a goal of becoming a professional fighter full time, and is currently the lead pastor at Open Arms Community Church in Spokane, WA. Kenji obtained his blue belt from Bart Smith, and is an extremely underrated grappler. Kenji is a great advocate of the sport, and when he is not fighting or coaching he can usually be found at the score table as a sanctioned judge of many local promotions. Kenji is married to wife Michelle, and they have three daughters.
- Matt Williams
Submission Grappling/MMA
Matt is a BJJ Blue Belt and has been competing in grappling tournaments for almost 5 years. Matt is also an active MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Fighter and will be fighting monthly. Matt is dedicated to the health and growth of Mixed Martial Arts and the Hit Pit in the Inland Northwest and elsewhere. Matt is looking forward to helping build the Best and Most Active Fight Team in the Northwest. Matt is also a husband to his beautiful wife Shannon of almost 10 years and they have three future fighters, Gavin 9, Aiden 7 and Evan 3… all future title holders.
List of Accomplishments:
First Place Medal at Spokane BJJ Tourney (Thanks Jacob)
Gold Medal at the 1st Copa Northwest BJJ Tourney White Belt Gi Division
Gold Medal at the 1st Copa Northwest BJJ Tourney Intermediate NoGi Division
Gold Medal at the 6th Copa Northwest BJJ Tourney Blue Belt Gi Division
Gold Medal at the 1 st Northwest BJJ Championships Blue Belt Gi Division
Silver Medal at the 2nd Northwest BJJ Championships Blue Belt Gi Division
Gold Medal at the 4th Northwest BJJ Championships Blue Belt Gi Division
- Jeff Powell
Wrestling
Jeff has been wrestling since he was little. He was a 3x state high school champion. He then went on to college and competed for a year before career choices made him leave. He has been helping coach at LC HS for the last 8 years with 2 years as the official assistant coach. Jeff brings a remarkable work ethic and a positive attitude to the wrestling side of the training. He is a fan of the upcoming MMA sport and was excited to be a part of developing fighters for competition.
- Rick Welliver
Boxing Coach
Head Coach and Owner of Spokane Boxing