Plus One Defense Systems offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes throughout the week. We are are located in West Hartford, Connecticut, and we offer morning and evening classes for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at our school. Instructors at Plus One include: Gabriel Santos (2nd degree black belt)- Bruno Lichtenstein (black belt), Michael Golden (brown belt), Luis Rosario (3-stripe purple belt), and Darin Reisler (3-stripe purple belt).
Gabriel Gladiator Santos
Practicing Jiu-Jitsu since 1992 – 2nd Degree Black Belt (trained up to brown with Carlson Gracie in Brazil- received his black belt from Paulo Filho.) Professional MMA record is 10-6-0.
•National Brazilian Championship (Super League) – 1997/ 185lb/ 1st place
•I Big Tournament CONDE KOMA – 1997/ 185lb/ 1st place
•National Brazilian Championship (CBJJ) – 1998/ 185lb/ 3rd place
•National Brazilian Team Championship (CBJJ) – 1998/ Open Weight/ 1st place
•World Championship (CBJJ) – 1998/ 185lb/ 2nd place
•Championship Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (FJJRJ) – 2001/ 185lb/ 1st place
•8 Times Niteroi Championship – 1999 to 2005/ 185lb and Open Weight/ 1st place
•Big Challenge Rio de Janeiro versus Niteroi – 2003/ 185lb/ 1st place
•World Cup (CBJJO) – 2002/ 185lb/ 3rd place
•NAGA New England – 2009/ 185lb/ 1st place
SUBMISSION WRESTLING (NO GI)
Practicing Submission Wrestling since 1992 – Black Belt
•Rio de Janeiro State Champion – 2003/ Open Weight/ 1st place
•Sao Paulo State Champion – 2004/ 185lb/ 1st place
•ADCC Trials ( Campos , RJ) – 2004/ 185lb/ 2nd place
•I Rio de Janeiro Summer Cup – 2004/ Open Weight/ 1st place
•National Brazilian Championship – 2005/ 185lb/ 1st place
•Fight Zone (USA) – 2008/ Open Weight/ 1st place
•Arnold Grappling Championship (USA/ OH) – 2008/ Open Weight/ 3rd place
•NAGA New England- 2010/189lbs/1st place
Bruno Lichtenstein
- Black belt under Marco Delima.
- Trained under Royce Gracie, Rolker Gracie, and Rodrigo Gracie for 4 years.
- 2008 Pan Jiujitsu Gold Medalist (no-gi)
- 2004 NAGA New England Submission Champion (gi)
- Founder and President of Brunami – the new wave of martial arts fight gear and apparel™.
- Privileged to participate in Royce Gracie’s pre-fight preparation for his UFC match with Matt Hughes, including learning experiences with Master Helio Gracie.
Michael Golden
My martial arts career began after I joined Dartmouth College’s Army R.O.T.C. program in 1999. Looking for a hand-to-hand self-defense system to complement my military training, I came upon Aikibudoin, a school specializing in Jujutsu and Aikido. I immediately became enamored with the physicality, effectiveness, and beauty of these two arts and could tell even then that they would be a part of my life for a very long time. Several years into my studies, I added Aikibokken, Iaido, and Brazilian Jiujitsu to my plate and, after (a belated) graduation, expanded my studies to include Kenpo, Kung-fu, Muay Thai, and every piece of information I could find regarding improving the human body’s health and performance. Currently, I study Sho Biyn Jiu, a system primarily combining Kenpo and Kung-fu, under Plus One Defense’s very own Sensei Darin Reisler; Muay Thai under Jeremy Libiszewski of the Fighting Arts Academy in Springfield, MA; Brazilian Jiujitsu under Plus One; Kajukido Kempo Ryu under Soke Robert Gelinas; Zen Budo Ryu Jujutsu and Yoshinkan Aikido under Senseis Thomas Pristow and Eric Bivona of Aikibudoin in Hanover, NH; and Defensive Tactics under the active and retired law enforcement officers at the Modern Warrior Institute. I am also–through the various levels of certifications provided by Z-Health Performance Solutions, the Functional Movement Screen, and Russian Kettlebell Challenge–continually acquiring new tools to make astonishing and oftentimes immediate changes in people’s strength, speed, mobility, pain, and motor-learning capabilities. As an instructor, I am dedicated to helping my students and fighters accomplish their self-defense, competition, fitness, and well-being goals. I am passionate about the martial arts and the betterment of the human body and feel extremely fortunate to have found a place like Plus One where I can share these passions with others.
Luis Rosario
Instructor Name: Luis Rosario Styles Taught: Brazilian Jiujitsu Currently Studying: Brazilian Jiujitsu Accomplishments: – Trained under Royce Gracie and Rodrigo Gracie – Awarded Blue Belt ranking from Royce Gracie – Promoted to Purple Belt under Marco Delima – Promoted to Purple w/ Two Stripes by Jay Bell Awards: – 2008 World Series of MMA Champion – 2008 Gracie New England Gi Division Champion – 2008 Gracie New England 2nd Place (Absolute) Biography: At a young age I was a grappler. I started wrestling in seventh grade. I liked it, but there was something missing. It used muscle and power and when you competed against someone stronger and more powerful you usually lost. Then I found Brazilian Jiujitsu and fell in love. Watching smaller, weaker people defeat larger, stronger opponents fascinated me. Since I started training I have been addicted to learning the gentle art. My goal as an instructor is to pass my knowledge and love for Brazilian Jiujitsu to our students. Whether they want to use it for self defense, competition, MMA or for fitness, I will help students get an understanding of what they need to progress through jiujitsu. I will be available for their personal growth in a friendly and helpful environment here at Plus One. See you on the mat!
Darin Reisler
Let me start by saying the martial arts have been a wonderful addition to my life. I have been a student for approximately twenty five years, and I hope to continue studying and teaching for at least fifty more! I have been very blessed and have had the opportunity to study many different martial art styles. As such, I hold black belt ranking in multiple systems with different foundational emphasis. In 2003, members of the Board for the United Martial Arts Alliance,under the direct guidance of Kyoshi Robert Austin, and amongst witnesses present at the time, examined my combining of martial arts styles. After physical examination, presentation of katas/kuens, kickboxing, and self-defense concepts, and after intellectual questioning and review, the Board recognized my system as unique, and awarded me the honor of founding a new system of study. Sho Biyn Jiu (translated as “First Understand Peace”) was formally recognized. This was the first time in the Board’s history that such an honor was bestowed, and I do not take that responsibility lightly. I continue to train with instructors from around the country and advance the system, which at its heart, is one of peace. Additionally, the system has been recognized by multiple organizations, and I was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2006 and Action Magazine’s Hall of Honors as a Master Instructor in 2008. I have worked as the Executive Director of the Community Anti-DrugCoalition of Hampden County. I sat on the steering committee for the Partners In Prevention, a group initiated by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association; I was the faculty advisor for Tunxis Community College’s Christian Club, I was the Vice-President of MADD Massachusetts (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), and I was a member of the Hampden County District Attorney’s Task Force On Domestic Violence. I am a licensed and experienced social worker, and, as a former police officer, I bring a level of personalized understanding regarding physical confrontation to the material I teach. I have also had the opportunity to pioneer the Integrated Martial Arts Program with the Ludlow Middle School, in Ludlow, Massachusetts. I have taught at the college level; I am the head instructor and founder of Plus One Defense Systems, and I continue to teach nationwide. More importantly, I recognize that I am always a student, and I look to Kyoshi Robert Austin as my mentor in the arts. Kyoshi Austin is the founder of the Mountain States International Black Belt Academy, located in Greeley, Colorado. He is the President of the United Martial Arts Alliance, and he is also a dear friend, who has traveled a bit farther down the path than I have! I am thankful for all of the blessings that have been entrusted to me, and I hope you find Plus One to be a “home away from home.”