Cypress Combat Club was founded in 2012 with a single conviction: that martial arts training deserves the same rigor and intentionality we expect from any serious craft.

We are not the biggest gym in Los Angeles. We are not trying to be. What we offer is a considered approach to training — one where every technique is taught with context, every session has purpose, and every student receives genuine attention from instructors who still train and compete themselves.

The result is an environment where serious practitioners thrive and beginners discover what thoughtful coaching actually feels like. We measure our success not by membership numbers, but by the quality of martial artists we develop.

Instructors

The team

Prof. Ricardo Almeida

Head Instructor & Founder

Black Belt, 3rd Degree

Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Royler Gracie > Ricardo Almeida

IBJJF World Champion 2018
ADCC Trials Qualifier 2019
Pan American Gold 2016
20+ years teaching experience

Professor Ricardo founded Cypress Combat Club in 2012 after competing internationally for over a decade. A third-degree black belt under Royler Gracie, he brings a methodical, detail-oriented approach to instruction. He still competes in Masters divisions and believes every student — from day-one white belts to seasoned competitors — deserves the same quality of attention on the mat.

Kru Somchai Rattanapong

Head Muay Thai Coach

Khan 12

Trained at Sitsongpeenong, Bangkok

Former Lumpinee Stadium fighter
200+ fights in Thailand
IFMA Coach Certification
15 years coaching in the US

Kru Somchai brings authentic Thai boxing to Los Angeles. With over 200 professional fights in Thailand including bouts at Lumpinee Stadium, he teaches Muay Thai the way it was taught to him — with respect for tradition and relentless attention to fundamentals. His classes are known for building fighters who are technically sharp and mentally tough.

Coach Darius Cole

MMA Head Coach

BJJ Brown Belt

Former professional MMA fighter (12-3)
Cornered 5 UFC fighters
NASM Certified
Wrestling All-American (D2)

Coach Darius transitioned from a successful professional MMA career to coaching full-time in 2019. A former D2 wrestling All-American with a 12-3 professional record, he specializes in integrating disciplines and preparing fighters for competition. He's cornered fighters at every level from amateur smokers to the UFC octagon.

Coach Priya Mehta

Women's Program Director

Black Belt, 1st Degree

Ricardo Almeida > Priya Mehta

IBJJF No-Gi World Bronze 2022
Pan American Silver 2021
Self-defense curriculum developer

Coach Marcus Williams

Kids Program Director

Brown Belt

Ricardo Almeida > Marcus Williams

Child development certification
Former high school wrestling coach
Youth IBJJF referee
10 years coaching kids

Coach Diego Ferreira

BJJ Fundamentals Lead

Black Belt, 2nd Degree

Ricardo Almeida > Diego Ferreira

IBJJF Pan American Champion 2020
SJJIF World Champion 2019
Certified Gracie University instructor

The Space

A standard. Not a style.