EXPERT INSTRUCTION

THE WORLD CLASS DIFFERENCE

After more than 10 years of intense training, Mr. Roppo was first certified as an Apprentice Instructor in Jeet Kune Do Concepts and Filipino Martial Arts under Guro Dan Inosanto in 1998, Guro Inosanto is the Legendary Bruce Lee's #1 student and is considered to be the world's foremost authority on Jeet Kune Do. Jeet Kune Do Concepts is the true fore-runner of modern M.M.A. and the first eclectic martial arts system to incorporate and combine the techniques of Boxing, Wrestling, Kickboxing and the various Grappling arts.

As a result of his association with Guro Inosanto, Coach Roppo became acquainted with former Light Heavyweight Shoot Wrestling Champion, Erik Paulson, and has logged in countless seminar training hours with Mr. Paulson over the years.

In addition to being a true pioneer of modern MMA, Erik Paulson has emerged as one of the most renowned and sought after trainers in the elite ranks of Professional Mixed Martial Arts. Coach Roppo considers Sensei Paulson to be his greatest influence in grappling and Vale Tudo style fighting.

Mr. Roppo is also ranked in Inayan Eskrima under Suro Mike Inay and enjoyed a close personal relationship with the late Grand Master. Mr. Roppo acted as the Regional Director of Suro Inay's Inayan Training Organization for many years and Mr. Roppo's Student, Joe Walls Jr. went on to become the areas only fully certified Inayan Guro.

In the late 1980s, Roppo fought his way to a WEKAF (World Eskrima, Kali, Arnis Federation) top 6 national ranking in full contact stick fighting. Over the years, Mr. Roppo has logged in seminar training hours with a veritable "who's who" list of Filipino Martial arts Greats; including Diony Canete, and the late Ted Lucay and Punong Guro Edgar Sulite.

While Coach Roppo specializes in MMA, JKD and The Filipino Martial Arts, he has had training in a plethora of different fighting styles during his 35 year career including: western boxing, western kickboxing, freestyle wrestling, tae kwon do, hapkido, muay thai, brazilian jiu jitsu, Maphilindo Silat & Combat Submission Wrestling, to name a few.

In keeping with his JKD back round, Mr. Roppo's coaching philosophy revolves around developing students and fighters who are equally adept in all the combative areas and ranges (striking, clinching, wrestling, grappling, etc.) He also believes in giving each individual a strong foundation in the 3 basic sub-categories of MMA (Striking, Wrestling, & Submission Grappling).

Throughout his competitive and coaching careers, Mr. Roppo has learned that even well rounded, properly trained & "tough as nails" fighters are at a severe dis-advantage without proper conditioning. "Cry in Training, Laugh in Battle" is a mantra that one will often hear at WCG and our instructors pride themselves on the ability to get anyone in fighting shape regardless of their current level of fitness.
Coach Roppo began training cage-fighters in 1999, and in the last 10 years has guided hundreds of modern day gladiators to victory in kickboxing, submission grappling and MMA competition. As of the present time, Coach Roppo's World Class M.M.A./Submission Grappling Fight Team maintains a win rate of over 80%.

INSTRUCTORS & ASSISTANT COACHES

Adam Milstead

As an amateur mma fighter, Adam Milstead simultaneously held both the Yankee Brawlroom 205 lbs. Championship Belt and the Cage of Chaos 205lbs. Championship Belt. Adam is not only the first World Class Fighter to turn Pro, but (to our knowledge) the first professional MMA Fighter From Beaver County as well . Already an accomplished wrestler, Adam began training with Coach Roppo while attending Geneva College on a Football scholarship.

While it was always Adam's intention to fight, Coach Roppo also recognized his potential as an instructor and began grooming him for such a role. Adam's excellent technique and well rounded skill set have earned him the fight name "The Prototype"

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James "Junior" Reddick

Coach Roppo has known James since he was a teenager and it was apparent even then that James had unlimited potential as a fighter and martial artist. James is a seasoned MMA competitor and is currently in line for a title shot at the Brawlroom 185 lbs. Belt. James friendly and soft spoken demeanor belies his fighting ability and chiseled physique. James was dubbed "The Chronicle" by a cage announcer who interviewed him following his first victory.
Coach James is one of those rare martial artists who is not only a talented fighter, but an excellent instructor as well.

Both Adam and James have been personally trained by Coach Roppo to act as qualified instructors and teach classes in his absence.

 

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"Now that you know World Class is the Best"
Allow us to expose the rest…
For the Frauds they really are !!!

 

CASHING IN ON THE MMA CRAZE

Mixed Martial Arts is the world's fastest growing sports and for this very reason "the buyer must beware!" With M.M.A. exploding in popularity, it seems that everyone with a Black Belt is suddenly passing themselves off as an expert in Mixed Martial Arts Training. While these individuals may be legitimately certified in Karate, Tang Soo Do, Kung Fu or some other martial art, it hardly qualifies them to instruct students in the finer points of M.M.A. or train them for competition.

Even worse than traditional martial artists jumping on the "M.M.A. bandwagon", is when individuals with little or no martial arts training of any kind open schools and pass themselves off as legitimate instructors. These greedy people see the current "M.M.A. Craze" as little more than an opportunity to make a quick buck. Unfortunately, some of the sports most famous gyms, coaches and fighters are also "cashing - in" on this fraudulent behavior by selling instructor certifications to these inexperienced practitioners! With a few thousand dollars and 1 weekend of training, it is now possible to acquire rank and teaching credentials under some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts. These organizations and individuals are basically selling the rights to their names and images, as these certifications are open to anyone, regardless of martial arts experience or previous training.

FRAUD MMA GYMS IN BEAVER COUNTY

It has come to our attention that 2 of these "martial con-artists" are actively teaching in the Beaver County Area. These so called "instructors" have only 6 months, & 13 months of training respectively, that's right... they are actually charging people money for instruction, and have less than 2 years of combined training experience themselves. To make themselves appear legitimate, they paid several thousand dollars and attended a weekend training seminar held by a famous gym in Florida with a well known fight team. Upon completion of this 2 or 3 day seminar they were certified as level 1 Instructors.
This is nothing short of ridiculous! It takes a lifetime to master the martial arts and passing yourself off as an Instructor after attending a weekend seminar is a slap in the face to any legitimate teacher of the Martial Arts (mixed or traditional). As you might expect, they neglect to inform potential students & customers about their lack of formal training, instead they resort to gratuitous "name dropping" and have even gone so far as to "blatantly lie" about their experience & accomplishments in order to separate people from their hard earned money.

If you are wondering how we at World Class Gym know so much about these individuals, or why we feel we have the right to challenge their legitimacy, the answer is very simple... They are former World Class Students!
n 2009, these 2 students betrayed their instructor and teammates at World Class by opening their own MMA School without permission or required training. For legal reasons, we are unable to divulge the names of these dishonorable individuals, however, with the small number of MMA schools in the Beaver County Area, it's not hard for the average consumer to figure out their identities.
While the disloyal actions of these former students are hurtful & upsetting to us, our reasons for exposing them as charlatans and frauds are in no way motivated by any personal desire for revenge.
We simply believe that everyone has the right to receive quality martial arts training from legitimate & honorable instructors, and nothing infuriates us more than when an innocent person's first learning experience is tarnished by some "non-expert poser" who lacks the skill and experience to properly teach the mixed martial arts.
While some school owners consider themselves to be businessmen or sportsmen, we at World Class are first & foremost "martial artists". We have devoted our lives to spreading the martial arts/warrior lifestyle and all of the important things that go with it like, honor, respect and integrity.

Within the last few months several other, so called "MMA Instructors" have popped up in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. These individuals are easy to spot as they usually operate on a part time basis only, teaching out of fitness centers, YMCA's and even their homes and garages.
The staff and management of World Class Mixed Martial Arts urge consumers to make thorough inquiries into the credentials and experience of the instructors prior to enrolling as a student at any M.M.A. school or training center.

 

We at World Class MMA wish to clarify that we have no intention of insulting or calling into question, the credentials of any legitimate martial arts school in the area. At this time there are a number of fine mma and bjj schools in the Allegheny and surrounding areas that we would highly recommend.

 

The following is a list of questions that any legitimate Instructor should have no problem providing answers for:

1. Where & from whom did you receive your training in the mixed martial arts?
2. How long did you train under your instructor? (exact dates)
3. What is your rank & what certifications do you have? (Ask to see certificates)
4. What are the pre-requisites for these certifications. (Does a candidate have to have a certain amount of training to become eligible, or can anyone with enough money pay for the certification.)
5. How long have you been teaching?
6. What is your Fight Team's percentage of wins. (All sanctioned fights are recorded on State Athletic Commission Website)
7. How many champions has your gym produced?
8. Have You ever competed in MMA or related fight sports like boxing, kickboxing, Judo or wrestling? (If yes, what is your record?)