Founder / Owner / Head Instructor /
Professor Stephen “Phynix” McCloskey

Stephen “Phynix” McCloskey is a 16-year United States Army Veteran where he served as a 19D "Cavalry Scout" the primary special reconnaissance and surveillance soldier as the term "Infantry Scout" which refers to a specially trained infantrymen that functions in a reconnaissance and surveillance capacity, as well as a completing the US Army Sniper program and the US Army SERE program “Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape”. He is also a MACP Level 3 Tactical Combatives Course instructor. He holds a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt from Master Carlson Gracie Jr and Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani as well as a certified Japanese Judo 2nd Degree Brown Belt from Sensei Shannon Bistline and the United States Judo Association as well as 6 years of Muay Thai and MMA training. Stephen has been training BJJ for over 10 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. All instructors/coaches to include Professor Stephen have gone through several background investigations to ensure member safety.

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

  • 2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC GI Gold Medalist

  • 2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC GI Gold Medalist

Black Belt

  • 2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte, GI Super Fight Silver Medalist