Instructors

Professor James McCullom

Owner, Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

Professor James started his martial arts journey at the age of 7 when he began Taekwondo. He found his passion with martial arts and went on to earn his black belt in Taekwondo and Kenpo. He has also trained kickboxing and Hapkido for several years, adding to his understanding of martial arts. Professor James has trained grappling for approximately 7 years and currently holds the rank of black belt in Jiu Jitsu under Professor Julio Casillas. He is also well versed in Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling and Sambo.

Professor James is a certified personal trainer through ISSA and ACTION, as well as a certified Functional Movement Specialist. Having this background helps in understanding kinesiology and the varying abilities of individuals while also working around injuries. He currently works as a police officer and is certified as an instructor through Arizona Police Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST). Working as a law enforcement officer has allowed Professor James to see how martial arts training and tactics can be utilized in a real world scenario.

Professor James is originally from New York and moved to Arizona in 2000. He is married with 4 children, all of whom train Jiu Jitsu at RKC.

Coach Kayla Valdez

Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt

Coach Kayla started learning martial arts at age 7 with her family because her mother believed that all women and children should learn self defense. She trained in karate and kickboxing on and off throughout her youth. She has trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the last 6 years, earning her purple belt under Professor Julio Casillas. Coach Kayla works at a local high school and has lived in Arizona for most her life. She is married and has two children, who also train at RKC.

Coach Fernando De La Torre

Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt

Coach DT is originally from California and moved to Arizona with his family when he was 10 years old. His passion for combat sports began when he was 14 years old and joined his high school wrestling team. In 2020, Coach DT began learning jiu jitsu. He is currently a purple belt under Professor Julio Casillas. Coach DT works in law enforcement as a certified Field Training Officer and General Instructor. Coach DT has a son that also trains at RKC.

Coach Emily Korkosz

Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt

Coach Emily’s journey into martial arts began early in life, starting with karate as a means of self-defense. Since the age of five, Coach Emily has been immersed in jiu-jitsu for over 10 years, where she is currently a purple belt. Wrestling in high school not only honed Coach Emily’s skills but also made her a better teacher. She brought a flair of wrestling into jiu-jitsu, weaving the two together to improve both herself and her teammates. More than just mastering techniques or winning tournaments, Coach Emily’s goal is to inspire young girls to find their strength, to stand tall, and to know they can’t be held back simply because they’re girls. It’s about showing them they have the power to rise above and advocate for themselves.

Coach Jason Cardoza

Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt

Coach Jason is a blue belt under Professor Julio Casillas. Jason started his martial arts journey in 2003 when he was a US Army Drill Sergeant. Jason became a Level II Instructor in the Modern Army Combatives program. He had taught that program and simultaneously trained as a student until 2011. Jason had a break in his journey until 2017. He started over, then got injured. Jason found Ronin Kombat Club and started training again.
Jason currently works as a Police Officer and is a certified as an Instructor through Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST). He is a graduate of the Gracie Survival Tactics Level 1 course. Jason is originally from New York and moved to Arizona in 2009 when he and his family were transferred to his last assignment before retirement at Luke Air Force Base in 2013. He is married with 9 children.

Coach Nick DaCunha

Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt

Coach Nick has been training in jiu jitsu for two years. He is proud to admit that his journey started because his wife bullied him into trying a class. He is one of our top competitors and is eager to share his love of jiu jitsu with our students.

Coach Sandra DaCunha

Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt

Coach Sandra tried martial arts for the first time when she moved to Hawaii in 2010. She has practiced boxing, kickboxing, and some ground work. She eventually moved back to AZ and trained in Muay Thai for a few years. She began training jiu jitsu in 2023 a few months after enrolling her daughter, and then made it a family affair. She believe being able to defend herself and her family is extremely important asset to have as a mother.

Coach Brian Moore

Wrestling & Hybrid Grappling Coach

Coach Brian’s specialty is wrestling, with 8 years of training in Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Sambo. During his time in high school in West Virginia, he was a regional wrestling champion and won the state wrestling championship as a senior. Because of his success, Coach Brian lettered in wrestling all 4 years of high school.

Coach Brian is a nurse with 26 years of experience, allowing him to have an understanding of how self defense training affects your overall health and mental well being.