Instructors

Instructors

Omar Santiago – Black Belt – Head Coach

Omar Santiago started training martial arts in 1996 in Eugene, OR. After a year and a half of trying out various martial arts he was introduced to the beautiful life of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and Muay Thai Kickboxing. Training with Northwest Martial Arts he was shortly introduced to Wellington “Megaton” Diaz, a legend in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He was then invited to Brazil to train with Royler Gracie at the legendary Gracie Humaita Academy in Rio de Janeiro. Since then Omar has been obsessed with the sport of BJJ and continues to travel to Brazil to train and compete in the “Mudials” Worlds of Jiu Jitsu and The Masters of Jiu Jitsu. In 2001, Omar moved to Portland, OR where he has been training and teaching BJJ and Mixed Martial Arts at numerous gyms ever since. When Omar is not traveling and competing in his beloved sport, he spends a lot of his time being a father, training and trying to introduce people of all ages into the beautiful life martial arts has to offer.

CJ Johnson – Brown Belt

Coach CJ teaches our Friday evening Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, and has been training his heart out since 2016 in California and Portland OR. When you meet CJ you will be absolutely blown away by his ability to create a comforting and peaceful atmosphere. As a professional mindfulness coach, CJ has mastered the art of body language, communication and connecting with other beings. Coming to his class you will not only delve into the particulars of Jiu Jitsu as a martial art, but he also sprinkles wisdom and life lessons and mindfulness training into every inch of his classes. We are so lucky to have  CJ as a coach, he creates true martial artists out of our students.

Received his Blue Belt from Roger Machado, and his Purple Belt from Erik Paulson, and finally his brown belt from Professor Omar Santiago. With many great teachers in his history, CJ has much to share.

Coach Luyah  -Purple Belt –  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Coach

What’s up Warriors! 24 time Gold medal competitor, Coach Haleigh here, to galvanize your training routine B-) As a  Life long athlete I found a joy that I never knew was possible, training here with the coaches and students at Mata Leao. My approach to teaching dives into the realm of learning how to control your mind and body, use angles and body mechanics to manipulate your opponent with as little effort as possible, and use your instincts to find entries into dominant positions. As a “smaller” 135lb practitioner / competitor at the gym, and being female in a male and testosterone dominated sport, I can confidently say I have many secrets to manipulate the sport in favor of the smaller opponent. I teach a women’s only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class once a week and love empowering other women to start their grappling journey and heal our collective trauma around being physically dominated. I’m SO PUMPED TO TRAIN WITH YOU.

Kate Long  –  Strength and Conditioning Coach

        I’m a NASM certified fitness enthusiast with a specialization in kettlebells who loves sharing my passion with others. I have been teaching group fitness for seven years and I have been personal training for three. Other than putting together strength and conditioning kettlebell workouts, I thoroughly enjoy HIIT training and powerlifting. I also love competitive relays, soccer, yoga and badminton, as well as any other physical activity that may challenge me and/or increase my knowledge of the fitness field and its current trends. I’m always seeking individuals who may want to lose weight, build muscle or simply maintain an injury free body so I can help them realize their goals both big and small. Together let’s build a happier, healthier, stronger version of you!

Coach Brian – Muay Thai Coach

Coach Brian has been competing on our team in Muay Thai, BJJ, and no-gi since 2019. His love for sparring, training, and competition is apparent, if you come to his classes. He teaches the advanced Muay Thai class on Tuesday nights, and really spices up your fundamentals with creative combinations, advanced sweeps combos and defenses. As well as high energy muay thai centric strength and conditioning incorporated into every class. His attitude and consistency is admired by all, and he will never ever EVER say “no” to a round of sparring. Drenched in sweat, Coach Brian will “slap hands” with anyone and show you what it means to give your all. He also runs our Muay Thai combat athlete program on Sunday mornings from 10am-12pm, two hoursinfused with strength and conditioning, agility training, Mind bending Muay Thai drills and then an hour of sparring to end the session. Come meet Coach Brian and get motivated!

Coach Ryan – Muay Thai Coach

Coach Ryan completed Mata Leao Combat Sport’s Coaches certification program in 2023 and has been Coaching and competing at Mata Leao since 2024. From his classes you can expect high energy, lots of key fundamental techniques disguised in effective combinations. His high energy is infectious and his students see themselves going harder in class than they ever knew possible! The beautiful thing is, you won’t even notice how hard you’re working, because the drills are so fun and engaging. Come to Coach Ryan’s Muay Thai classes once a week at Mata Leao, and partner up with his at the next!

Coach Erin  –  Muay Thai Coach

Another lifelong athlete, and currently at University seeking her PhD, Erin has been one of Mata Leao’s top students since she began training in 2020. She has an answer for everything in Muay Thai and is also quickly climbing the ranks in Jiu Jistu. Erin teaches every other tuesday night and leads the sparring sessions for the advanced Muay Thai students. Come get your butt kicked by a 135lb woman, who’s super sweet on and off the mats but a lethal weapon in her arena.

Coach Emily  –  Blue Belt – Kids Class Coach

On her journey to black belt, Coach Emily aids in the Kids class ages 7-13, co-coaching for Professor Omar

Coach Tristan  –  Tiny Ninjas Coach

Our 4-6 year old kids can’t get enough of super fun Coach Tristan! He brings animation into every technique and does a fantastic job of disguising LIFE SAVING martial arts and brazilian jiu jitsu moves as fun body dynamics that are easily comprehended by a younger age group. Come bring your little little to our tiny ninjas program, tuesdays and thursdays at 4pm!

Coach Matt  –  Kids Jiu Jitsu Coach

The tough but loving coach, Coach Matt may seem tough on the kids but he also brings them great joy and a healthy amount of playfulness to our kids jiu jitsu lessons, ages 7-13. Currently a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu, Matt transitioned from coaching football to coaching BJJ, as his love for the sport has grown over his years at Mata Leao