Private lessons are available for both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Try out a week of Free Classes
KRU ALBERT MALATAMBAN
Kru Albert started martial arts at the age of 12 in 1972. He studied Shotokan Karate under Sensei Abe Belardo, reaching the rank of Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt. While serving in the US Marine Corps 1978-1990, he was introduced to Muay Thai and has been practicing and learning ever since. He started teaching and training fighters in 1998. He has been the Chief Muay Thai Instructor at SLO Kickboxing, The Budo Ryu, and now his own ELITE MUAY THAI ACADEMY. Kru Albert has trained several North American, California and Regional Champions and #1 ranked amateur fighters to include 6X Women’s Champion Julia “Jewels” Perez. He is also a member of the IKF (International Kickboxing Federation) California Muay Thai Advisory Board
CHRIS LOVATO
Head Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor/Owner Paragan Bjj-SLO
Chris Lovato is a Paragon black belt under Franjinha Miller (bio here) and holds numerous competition titles in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His grappling experience began with more than 15 years of wrestling at the high school and collegiate level and has state titles in freestyle and Greco roman wrestling. From 1989 to 1994 he coached high school and junior high school wrestling with a number of his students placing the California State Championships. In 1995 Chris began training both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo. He spent 5 years training and competing in Judo and earned his Judo Black Belt in 1997 from Mario Rubio of Five Cities Judo in Arroyo Grande. Chris has been training and competing in BJJ and submission wrestling for more than 18 years. Chris’ classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu incorporate both wrestling and judo into the BJJ curriculum.
KRU NICK RENARDO
Nick has been practicing Martial Arts for over 25 years. He holds a Brown Belt in Kung Fu San Soo and has been training in both Gi and No Gi Jiu Jitsu for 10 years. He started training with Kru Albert in 2009 and started to compete shortly after. He retired from 2011 from competition with an amateur record of 8-0 and the Southern California Thai Boxing Inc Middleweight title. Coach Nick is the Head Muay Thai Instructor and owner of the Elite Muay Thai Academy Santa Maria “Bloodline” location.
COACH TONY “TIGGER” SANTOS
Coach Tony has been training in Muay Thai over 6 years. He has 6 amateur bouts under his belt. He started martial arts with American Freestyle Karate System. He has also studied Shotokan Karate under the FSKA. Tony has great passion for Muay Thai and it shows in his teaching style. He is the Lead assistant coach preparing fighters for upcoming bouts. He also teaches at our Atascadero facility running both the adult and kids programs there.
COACH REBECCA ORIBELLO
Coach Rebecca has been training Muay Thai for over 2 years and competed in her first amateur bout in the spring of 2019. Her introduction to martial arts started in Virginia as a way to get in shape and she quickly fell in love with both Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. Upon moving to the Central Coast, she joined the Elite Muay Thai Academy and decided to put her passion for the art into competing and coaching. Rebecca enjoys sharing her love for Muay Thai assisting with the children’s program at the SLO location.
COACH DIMITRI ALBERA
Coach Dimitri has been training at Elite Muay Thai since since 2011. He started his Muay Thai Training out of Muay Thai Academy of America in North Hollywood, Ca. under Kru Puk. He (Kru Puk) is one of the original Muay Thai Teachers to come to the United States and teach Thai Boxing. Dimitri has also trained in Shotokan Karate. He currently practices FMA (Filipino Martial Arts). Coach Dimitri teaches at our Arroyo Grande facility and leads conditioning training with our fight team.