Meet the Coaches at Long Island MMA
Long Island MMA's coaching team brings together accomplished professional fighters, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts, elite wrestlers, experienced competitors, and dedicated instructors. Whether you're completely new to martial arts, training for fitness, or working toward competition, you'll learn from coaches with the experience to help you progress.
Serious Experience. Approachable Coaching
LIMMA was built around high-level martial arts training, but you don't have to be a fighter to train here. Our coaches work with students across experience levels—from people stepping onto the mats for the first time to amateur and professional competitors.
The goal is to help each student build strong fundamentals, understand why techniques work, and continue progressing toward their own goals.
Your Coaches
Gregg DePasquale
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and one of LIMMA's founding coaches, Gregg "Depo" DePasquale has spent decades studying, competing in, and teaching grappling and mixed martial arts. He has helped develop athletes who have competed at the highest levels of MMA.
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Ryan LaFlare
Former UFC welterweight Ryan LaFlare brings years of elite-level MMA experience to LIMMA. A former Ring of Combat welterweight champion, Ryan finished his professional career 14–3 before turning his focus toward coaching and developing the next generation of martial artists.
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Brian Michelino
Brian Michelino began at LIMMA as a student before developing into a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, coach and partner in the gym. He brings UFC corner experience to his coaching, works with LIMMA's kids program, and blends traditional instruction with a Constraints Led Approach to develop students' grappling and overall game.
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Lucas Da Silva
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Alexandre “Soca” Freitas, Lucas Da Silva teaches both Gi and No-Gi BJJ at LIMMA. His coaching emphasizes technical development along with the values of honor, respect, and discipline, helping students grow both on and off the mats.
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Albert "Al" Percy
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Gregg DePasquale, Al Percy began training at LIMMA around age 17 and is now an experienced competitor and one of the gym's lead kids grappling coaches. Known for his work with the Constraints Led Approach, he connects with students of every age.
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Ashiek Ajim
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and Dana White's Contender Series veteran, Ashiek is fully home-grown through LIMMA. He teaches at both locations, working with everyone from complete beginners to experienced competitors on dynamic striking, stance switching and blending disciplines under pressure.
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John O'Dea
Head coach of LIMMA's amateur fight team, John O'Dea has trained at the gym since around age 14. A professional MMA fighter and kickboxer, U.S. Marine and college graduate, he teaches across disciplines with a primary focus on kickboxing. His coaching emphasizes fundamentals, discipline, conditioning, composure and real competition application.
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Hugh McKenna
A second-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, retired professional MMA fighter and former college wrestler, Hugh McKenna has coached at LIMMA for nearly 20 years across both locations. His approach draws on wrestling, top pressure and technical efficiency, with a strong focus on intelligent, accountability-driven training.
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Enrique Lopez
A professional heavyweight kickboxer who developed as a fighter through LIMMA's West Babylon gym, Enrique now teaches striking at the Long Island City location. Known for his footwork and mobility as a heavyweight, his coaching blends bag work, pad work and structured partner drills — with instruction available in both English and Spanish.
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Tom "Pooch" Picciano
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, wrestler and professional MMA fighter, "Pooch" is a long-standing captain of LIMMA's fight team. His coaching style is structured, intense and accountability-driven — closer to a high-level wrestling room than a typical class.
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Everyone's path is different. LIMMA's coaching structure gives students room to start at the appropriate level, build a strong foundation, and progress toward the goals that matter to them.
Start
Learn the fundamentals in an environment designed to help new students get comfortable, understand the basics, and begin building a strong foundation. No previous martial arts experience is required.
Develop
Build your technique, conditioning, confidence, and experience as you progress into increasingly challenging training and continue developing as a martial artist.
Specialize
Develop deeper skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, striking, wrestling, MMA, or the disciplines that best match your interests and individual goals.
Compete
If competition is your goal, work toward it with coaches who understand what it takes to prepare athletes for amateur and professional competition.
Ready to Start Training at Long Island MMA?
Meet the coaches, experience the training environment, and find the right place to begin. Whether you're brand new to martial arts or looking to take your training further, the first step is getting on the mats.