Experience everything Chicago MMA has to offer — no commitment required.
Unlimited classes — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing & MMA (80+ classes/week)
Full S&C room access — strength & conditioning facility included
Both locations — Lincoln Park & South Loop
7 full days — plenty of time to find your favorite class and coach
New students only. One trial per person. No credit card required to book.
THE
INSTRUCTORS
Every instructor at Chicago MMA carries authentic lineage, real competitive experience, and a genuine commitment to your development. This is not a franchise. These are practitioners who have dedicated their lives to their art.
PROFESSOR
MISHO CEKO
Founder & Head Instructor
"I don't just teach people how to fight. I teach them how to become the best version of themselves — on the mat and off it."
Misho Ceko is the Founder and Head Coach of Chicago Mixed Martial Arts, home to one of the most accomplished martial arts communities in the country, with locations in Lincoln Park and the South Loop.
Misho began his martial arts journey in 1998 at the Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Mountain View, California — at the time the premier BJJ program in the United States, training alongside legends like BJ Penn, Dave and Dan Camarillo, and Kurt Osiander. He earned his black belt directly under Ralph Gracie in 2004 and has since been promoted to 4th Degree — one of the most senior Ralph Gracie black belts in the world. Under his leadership, Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Chicago has awarded over 20 black belts, establishing Chicago MMA as the city's premier BJJ team.
As a competitor, Misho won titles at every level and placed 3rd at the 2004 IBJJF Pan-American Championships. He has trained and coached martial artists across Brazil, Japan, Europe, and Africa — including opening the first MMA school in Maputo, Mozambique. He has worked with professional fighters at the highest levels, including the UFC.
His credentials include a 4th Degree IBJJF Black Belt, a 4th Degree Luta Livre Black Belt, and certification as a Sityodtong Muay Thai Coach. Beyond the mat, Misho is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and holds graduate degrees from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. He serves as Senior Associate Dean and COO at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy.
BJJ BLACK BELTS
Six Ralph Gracie lineage black belts teaching across both locations — each with years of competition and teaching experience.
Chuong Pham
Professor
BJJ Black Belt, 2nd Degree
BJJ Black Belt 2nd Degree under the Ralph Gracie lineage. Professor Chuong brings decades of mat experience and a methodical teaching approach to every class.
Patrick Gatbunton
Head Coach - Kids BJJ Program
BJJ Black Belt, 1st Degree
BJJ Black Belt 1st Degree and decorated grappling competitor. Professor Patrick is known for his creative guard game and his ability to break down complex techniques for students at every level.
Luis Meza
Professor
BJJ Black Belt
BJJ Black Belt under the Ralph Gracie lineage. Professor Luis Meza is known for his technical precision and his ability to adapt his teaching to students of all backgrounds.
Matt Krzus
Professor
BJJ Black Belt
BJJ Black Belt with an infectious enthusiasm for the art. Professor Matt Krzus is known for his dynamic teaching style and his ability to make training both technically rigorous and genuinely fun.
Kody Montgomery
Professor
BJJ Black Belt
BJJ Black Belt with a wealth of competition experience. Professor Kody Montgomery brings a calm, systematic approach to teaching that helps students build reliable skills under pressure.
Jeff Otaka
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Brown Belt
BJJ Brown Belt and Assistant Professor at Chicago MMA. Jeff Otaka is known for his positive energy and his ability to connect with students of all ages and experience levels.
Kevin Manko
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Brown Belt
BJJ Brown Belt and Assistant Professor. Kevin Manko brings a sharp technical mind and a competitive edge to his coaching at Chicago MMA.
Matt Rosenberg
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Brown Belt
BJJ brown belt and dedicated kids program coach. Builds confidence and discipline through structured, age-appropriate training.
Pedro Jimenez
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Purple Belt
BJJ purple belt with a high-energy teaching style. Connects naturally with kids and makes complex techniques accessible and fun.
Sunni Diluzio
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Blue Belt
BJJ blue belt coach known for warmth and patience. Creates an inclusive, encouraging environment where every child feels welcome on the mat.
Zacharias Frozone
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Blue Belt
BJJ blue belt coach with a competitive mindset and natural ability to motivate young athletes. Develops technique and mental toughness in equal measure.
MUAY THAI & KICKBOXING TEAM
Active competitors trained in the authentic Sityodtong tradition. They teach the art as it was meant to be practiced.
Misho Ceko
Founder & Head Coach
4th Degree Black Belt — Ralph Gracie Lineage
Founder & Head Coach of Chicago MMA. 4th Degree Ralph Gracie Black Belt (earned 2004), 4th Degree IBJJF Black Belt, 4th Degree Luta Livre Black Belt, and Certified Sityodtong Muay Thai Coach. Graduate of U of I Urbana-Champaign; graduate degrees from Harvard Kennedy School and Northwestern Kellogg. Senior Associate Dean & COO at UChicago Harris School of Public Policy.
Karina Gonzalez
Muay Thai Coach & Competitor
Active competitor in both Muay Thai and kickboxing. Karina brings real fight experience and technical precision to every class in the adult program.
Brian Erlenbach
Muay Thai Coach & S&C Coach
Active Muay Thai and kickboxing competitor who also serves as Chicago MMA's Strength & Conditioning coach. Brian integrates Sityodtong striking with evidence-based athletic development.
Rosie Aybar
Head Coach - Muay Thai
Competitive Muay Thai fighter and trainer bringing authentic striking technique and fight-tested experience to the gym.
Shah Zolfaghari
Muay Thai Trainer
Professional MMA and Muay Thai fighter who brings elite striking and cage experience to his coaching at Chicago MMA.
Siron Harrison
Muay Thai Trainer
Competitive Muay Thai and MMA fighter with a dynamic striking game and a passion for developing fighters at every level.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS TEAM
UFC veterans and professional fighters who bring world-class cage experience to Chicago MMA.
Hiram Chavez
Head Coach - MMA
BJJ Black Belt
Professional MMA fighter and BJJ black belt from Mexico City. Competes at welterweight and brings real cage experience to every class.
Shonie Carter
MMA Coach · UFC Veteran
WEC Welterweight Champion · UFC Veteran
Former WEC Welterweight Champion and UFC veteran with 20+ years of professional experience across MMA, kickboxing, and full-contact karate. Shonie "Mr. International" Carter is a Chicago native, Marine Corps veteran, All-American wrestler, and holder of black belts in Judo, Jujutsu, and Shidokan Karate.
KIDS BJJ PROGRAM
A dedicated coaching staff focused on building confidence, discipline, and technique in young athletes through authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Jeff Otaka
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Brown Belt
BJJ Brown Belt and Assistant Professor at Chicago MMA. Jeff Otaka is known for his positive energy and his ability to connect with students of all ages and experience levels.
Kevin Manko
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Brown Belt
BJJ Brown Belt and Assistant Professor. Kevin Manko brings a sharp technical mind and a competitive edge to his coaching at Chicago MMA.
Matt Rosenberg
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Brown Belt
BJJ brown belt and dedicated kids program coach. Builds confidence and discipline through structured, age-appropriate training.
Pedro Jimenez
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Purple Belt
BJJ purple belt with a high-energy teaching style. Connects naturally with kids and makes complex techniques accessible and fun.
Sunni Diluzio
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Blue Belt
BJJ blue belt coach known for warmth and patience. Creates an inclusive, encouraging environment where every child feels welcome on the mat.
Zacharias Frozone
Assistant Coach - Kids Program
BJJ Blue Belt
BJJ blue belt coach with a competitive mindset and natural ability to motivate young athletes. Develops technique and mental toughness in equal measure.
TRAIN WITH THE BEST
Start your 7-day trial for $49 and train directly with Professor Ceko and our full coaching staff. No experience required.
Claim Your 7-Day Trial — $49