Meet the Staff

Head Professor- Tyler Murrah

Tyler began his life on the mats at the young age of 5 when he began wrestling. He wrestled into high school but suffered a motorcycle accident his Sophomore year. After multiple surgeries on his leg, he never returned to the wrestling mats. Tyler then picked up boxing after high school but was again deterred from what he enjoyed after needing multiple shoulder surgeries. In 2011, Tyler found Jiu Jitsu and instantly fell in love with it. Tyler started at Lovatos in OKC for his first few years but in 2014 switched to The Forge in Edmond. In 2019, to further push himself, he began weekly cross training at Marcus Antelante's Academy in Dallas, TX. Weekly he drove to Dallas to train. After long hard days of training, he would sleep on the mats at the academy just to wake up and do it all again. Professor Murrah claims sleeping on the mats is a "special" experience. He is happy that he did it but doesn't necessarily miss sleeping on the mats. After years of this, Tyler earned his black belt from Professor Antelante in January of 2021 after winning the IBJJF Masters World Title at brown belt.

Tyler competed heavily through all belt ranks and has spent the last decade competing all over the US. Since his black belt promotion, he has continued to compete at major events. At M1 Black Belt he's won multiple IBJJF titles including New Orleans Open Gi & Nogi Champion, Chicago Open Absolute Champion, IBJJF American National Champion, 2x Nogi Pan Ams Medalist and 2022 IBJJF Nogi Worlds Silver medalist.

Outside of Jiu Jitsu, he enjoys spending time with his 2 daughters and lives a laid back lifestyle. Tyler works as a paramedic and has been in healthcare for 15 years. He really enjoys helping people and looks forward to helping his future students on and off the mats.

Striking & MMA

Head Striking Coach- Ryan McCurdy

Ryan has traveled all over the country training and fighting. He has compelled impressive winning records in both Professional MMA and Professional Boxing. He has fought on big stages including KOTC and Bellator. Ryan has high level wrestling and Jiu Jitsu as well. He truly loves combat sports and enjoys teaching others and helping them with their goals, whatever they may be.

When off the mats Ryan enjoys spending time with his family. He works as an electrician and has his own company.

Tiny Scrappers (Ages 3-7)

Tiny Scrappers Head Coach- Ashlee MAniatis

Coach Ashlee wears a few hats as she is the Gym Manager but also Head of the "Tiny Scrappers" Program for kids ages 3-7. Ashlee has been training Jiu Jitsu 4 years and is a blue belt under Professor Murrah. Ashlee has competition experience and truly loves jiu jitsu. Ashlee grew up on the mats doing TKD and even helped with the kids TKD program as a young teenager. Now in her adult life she is happy to be back on the mats working with kids again, this time with Jiu Jitsu. Ashlee is amazing with the kids and finds crafty ways to keep their interest high.