Founder/ Owner / Instructor Stephen “Phoenix” McCloskey
Stephen “Phoenix” McCloskey is a 16-year United States Army Veteran. He holds a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) brown belt from Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani. Stephen has been training BJJ for over 7 years, validating his skills throughout various competition-based events such as IBJJF PANS & OPENS, and has a passion for the gentle art. He’s had the pleasure of training and learning alongside top-level BJJ practitioners and stays up to date on this ever-evolving Martial Art.
White Belt
2017 IBJJF Charlotte Open Bronze Medalist
2017 Newbreed Columbia, S.C No-GI Bronze Medalist
2017 Newbreed Columbia, S.C GI Bronze Medalist
2018 IBJJF Atlanta Open Silver Medalist
Blue Belt
2020 IBJJF PAN Champion No-GI Silver Medalist
2020 IBJJF Atlanta Open GI Silver Medalist
2020 Newbreed Columbia, S.C No-GI Gold Medalist
2020 Newbreed Columbia, S.C GI Silver Medalist
Purple Belt
2021 IBBJF Nashville, TN No-GI Gold Medalist
2021 IBJJF Atlanta, GA GI Gold Medalist
2022 IBJJF PAN Champion Bronze Medalist
2022 IBJJF Charleston Open GI Gold Medalist
2022 IBJJF Charleston OPEN No-GI Gold Medalist
2022 IBJJF Charleston Absolute No-GI Bronze Medalist
Brown Belt
2023 IBJJF Charleston Open GI Gold Medalist
2023 IBJJF Charleston Open No-GI Gold Medalist
2023 IBJJF Charleston Absolute Open No-GI Gold Medalist
2023 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC GI Gold Medal
2023 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC No-GI Gold Medal
2024 Newbreed Charlotte, N.C GI Silver Medalist
2024 Newbreed Charlotte, N.C No-Gi Bronze Medalist
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC GI Gold Medalist
Instructor Professor Rolando “Rolo” Collantes
Professor Rolando “Rolo” Collantes is a 21-year United States Air Force Veteran. He holds a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt from Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani. Rolo has been training BJJ for over 10 years, validating his skills throughout various competition-based events, and has a passion for the gentle art. He’s had the pleasure of training and learning alongside top-level BJJ practitioners and stays up to date on this ever-evolving Martial Art.
White Belt
2015 Southwest Classic – Silver
Blue Belt
2016 Arizona State BJJ Championships –Silver
2016 Southwest Classic – Gold
2016 Arizona Masters Cup BJJ – Bronze
2017 Arizona State BJJ Championship – Double Gold (weight/open)
Purple Belt
2018 Phoenix Jiu Jitsu World League – Silver
2018 Arizona International Open – Silver/Bronze (weight/open)
2018 Fight 2 Win Pro75 Debut—Won/Soup Choke
2019 Southwest Classic – Double Gold (weight/open)
2020 Fight 2 Win Pro134 – Lost/Triangle Choke
2020 Phoenix Jiu Jitsu World League – Gold
Brown Belt
2021 Phoenix Jiu Jitsu World League – Silver
2021 Arizona State BJJ Championship – Gold
2021 Fight 2 Win Pro179– Won/Modified Lapel Choke
Ladies Self-Defense Instructor Ann “Annie” Collantes
Ann “Annie” Collantes is a 21-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a Bronze Star recipient for meritorious service during her deployment to Afghanistan. She holds a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) purple belt from Professor Andrew Gardineer. Annie has been training BJJ for over 8 years and competes regularly to battle-test her skills. She has attended numerous seminars around the United States and her involvement in the Jiu-Jitsu community has allowed her to work closely with UFC veterans and BJJ world champions. At the age of 46, she continues to challenge herself and shows that it’s never too late to start this amazing journey.
White Belt
- 2015 Arizona State BJJ Championships - Silver
2016 Copa Bela BJJ - Silver
2016 Arizona State BJJ Championships - Gold
2016 Arizona State BJJ Championships - Silver
2016 Masters Cup BJJ – Silver
2017 Arizona State BJJ Championships - Gold
Blue Belt
2018 Phoenix Jiu Jitsu World League – Silver
2019 Southwest Classic - Gold
Purple Belt
2020 Phoenix Jiu Jitsu World League – Gold
Adult Instructor Kenny Gomez
Kenny Gomez is a lifelong martial artist. He holds a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt from Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani. Kenny has been training in the art of BJJ for over 13 years and has competed in grappling and many forms of martial arts competition. He has had the pleasure of training alongside top-level BJJ practitioners and alongside UFC, Bellator, and Championship veterans.
White Belt:
NAGA North American Championship 2012 – Nogi Bronze
The Good Fight Christmas Classic – 2012 – Gi Gold
Blue Belt:
Grappling Industries North vs South Carolina – Gi – Gold
Purple Belt:
Newbreed Columbia – Advanced Nogi – Bronze
Newbreed Columbia – Gi – Gold
IBJJF Charleston Open – Gi – Bronze
Assistant Kids Instructor Andrew McCloskey
Andrew McCloskey started his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at the age of 10 years old. He trained off and on under Professor Guybson Sa at Spartan Academy until moving to Camden, S.C where he trained with his father for 2 years in the garage where RPBJJ was founded. He now trains under Professor Mushu and his father the Head Coach of Rising Phoenix BJJ. Andrew was recently awarded his blue belt and loves to compete.
Blue belt
2023 Encounter Combat GI Gold Medal
2023 Encounter Combat No-GI Silver Medal
2024 Newbreed Charlotte NC Bronze Medal
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte NC Silver Medalist
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte NC Silver Medalist
Co-Owner Tommy Morgan
After serving in the U.S. Army, Tommy went to law school and returned to his hometown where he currently practices law. Tommy previously competed in Ironman triathlons, marathons and ultra-marathons, long-distance cycling events, and CrossFit competitions. Tommy is now an enthusiastic student of Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Coach Stephen and Coach Rolo. Tommy co-founded Rising Phoenix with Coach Stephen as a way to provide world-class training in top-notch facilities and a welcoming environment to children and adults alike in the Kershaw County area.