our team

Professor Felipe Fogolin is the owner and Head Instructor of Triunfo Jiu Jitsu & MMA and a 4x IBJJF Masters World Champion. Originally a Judo black belt in his native Brazil, Felipe earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Cleber Luciano and has spent more than two decades competing, coaching, and developing athletes.

A highly accomplished competitor, Felipe has competed across the IBJJF circuit as well as professional events including EBI and Fight2Win Pro. His background in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has shaped a technical and dynamic style that remains at the foundation of Triunfo’s training.

As an instructor, Felipe is known for making high-level Jiu-Jitsu accessible to everyone—from someone walking onto the mat for the first time to experienced competitors. His leadership, technical knowledge, and genuine investment in his students have helped shape the culture Triunfo is known for today.

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Chelsie Fogolin has been part of Triunfo Jiu Jitsu & MMA since 2012 and plays a central role in the day-to-day operations and member experience at the academy. As an owner, she oversees client relations and works closely with students and families from their first interaction with Triunfo throughout their time as members of the team.

Chelsie is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Felipe Fogolin and an active practitioner and competitor. Her years on the mat, combined with her experience across nearly every area of the academy, give her a unique perspective on both the training experience and the community behind it.

Whether helping someone take their first step into Jiu-Jitsu, supporting an established member, or training alongside the team, Chelsie’s focus is making sure people feel welcomed, supported, and connected at Triunfo.

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Professor Joe Murphy is Triunfo Jiu Jitsu & MMA's Head Striking & MMA Coach and the instructor for the academy's 6:00 AM Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Cleber Luciano, Joe brings years of experience as both a coach and an active professional mixed martial artist.

Joe's approach to Jiu-Jitsu is rooted in practical application. Drawing from years of professional MMA competition, he emphasizes a style of grappling that prioritizes strong fundamentals, positional control, and techniques that translate effectively in real-world situations while remaining highly effective for sport Jiu-Jitsu. Whether he's coaching striking, MMA, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Joe challenges students to become technically sound, confident, and well-rounded martial artists.

As an active professional competitor, Joe continues to test his skills at the highest levels while bringing current experience back to the academy. His passion for teaching, approachable personality, and commitment to helping every student improve have made him an integral part of the Triunfo coaching team.

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Professor Clara Fuji is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Felipe Fogolin and a dedicated instructor within Triunfo's youth and adult programs. Known for her technical precision, patience, and attention to detail, Clara is passionate about helping students of all ages build confidence and develop a strong foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

A respected training partner and mentor, Clara plays an invaluable role in Triunfo's women's program. She is committed to creating an encouraging environment where women feel welcomed, challenged, and empowered to grow both on and off the mats. Her leadership, consistency, and willingness to support others have made her a trusted resource for teammates and students alike.

Despite being one of the lighter athletes on the mat, Clara is widely respected for the effectiveness of her technique and her ability to apply Jiu-Jitsu with exceptional timing, leverage, and precision. She exemplifies the principle that great Jiu-Jitsu is built on skill, not size, and inspires students through both her teaching and the example she sets every day.

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Coach Durval Garcia is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt under Professor Felipe Fogolin. Originally from Brazil and now proud to call Orange County home, Durval continues his journey toward black belt while sharing his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the next generation of students.

As a special education teacher, Durval brings an exceptional level of patience, presence, and understanding to every class he teaches. His ability to connect with children, recognize their individual needs, and create a supportive learning environment makes him an invaluable part of Triunfo's Minis and Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs.

Whether introducing a young student to their first class or helping a more experienced athlete refine their skills, Coach Durval is dedicated to building confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through thoughtful instruction and genuine encouragement.

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Professor Michael Hoshiyama is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor Felipe Fogolin. Originally inspired to begin coaching as a way to support his own two children's journeys on the mats, Michael quickly discovered a genuine passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of athletes.

Michael believes every child has a unique learning style and an individual game waiting to be developed. Rather than teaching every student the same way, he strives to help each athlete build a style of Jiu-Jitsu that complements their strengths while fostering confidence, discipline, and a love for continuous improvement.

Known for his thoughtful coaching style, patience, and encouragement, Michael has become a valued member of Triunfo's youth coaching team. His investment in every student's growth—both as a martial artist and as a young person—helps create an environment where children are challenged, supported, and inspired to reach their potential.

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Professor Kody Alarcon is a product of the Triunfo Jiu Jitsu & MMA youth program and the first student to begin his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in Triunfo's kids program and ultimately earn his black belt. Starting at just 9 years old, Kody's journey reflects years of consistency, perseverance, and a genuine love for the art.

Promoted to black belt by Professor Felipe Fogolin at just 22 years old, Kody continues to test his skills through regular competition, with a particular focus on No-Gi events. His commitment to continuous improvement as both an athlete and instructor allows him to bring current, high-level techniques and training methods back to his students.

Known for his patience, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with students of all ages, Kody has become a favorite among both the youth and adult programs. Having once been the young student looking up to his coaches, he now has the privilege of mentoring the next generation of athletes and helping them build confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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Coach Carlos Puente Jr. is a professional mixed martial artist and one of the lead instructors in Triunfo Jiu Jitsu & MMA's Youth and Adult Muay Thai programs. Training under renowned striking coach Tyler Wombles at Classic Fight Team, Carlos brings high-level technical instruction and real-world fight experience to every class.

An active professional competitor, Carlos has competed in nationally recognized MMA promotions while continuing to sharpen his skills alongside some of the top athletes on the West Coast. As a professional educator, he has a natural ability to break down complex techniques into simple, understandable concepts, allowing students of every age and experience level to learn with confidence and purpose.

Known for his positive energy, patience, and encouraging coaching style, Carlos creates an environment where beginners feel comfortable and experienced athletes continue to grow. Whether coaching a child's first kick or helping competitors refine their striking, his goal is to build technically sound martial artists while fostering confidence, discipline, and a genuine love for training.

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Coach Ray Welsher is a Youth Muay Thai instructor whose passion for coaching is evident in every class he teaches. An active mixed martial artist and high school wrestling coach, Ray brings a well-rounded martial arts background and a genuine enthusiasm for helping young athletes develop both on and off the mats.

Known for his consistency, patience, and high-energy coaching style, Ray has become a favorite among Triunfo's youth students. He believes every child learns differently and makes it a priority to build relationships with his students, understand what motivates them, and help them develop confidence through hard work and accountability.

Whether introducing a beginner to their first class or helping experienced students reach the next level, Coach Ray is committed to creating a positive environment where kids are encouraged to challenge themselves, take ownership of their progress, and enjoy the journey of martial arts.

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Professor Gabriel Gaudio is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who was raised in Brazil, where he developed a lifelong passion for martial arts with a strong foundation in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Now living in the United States, Gabriel is proud to share the traditions, discipline, and technical depth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with students at Triunfo Jiu Jitsu & MMA.

In addition to his years of training and competition, Gabriel has extensive experience as an IBJJF referee, giving him a unique understanding of the rules, strategy, and technical details that shape high-level competition. His instruction blends modern competition Jiu-Jitsu with practical, fundamentally sound techniques that remain effective for self-defense and everyday training.

Known for his technical precision, calm demeanor, and thoughtful coaching style, Gabriel is committed to helping students of all experience levels grow with confidence. Whether working with beginners or experienced practitioners, he strives to develop well-rounded martial artists while honoring the traditions and values of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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Professor Ethan Johnston joined Triunfo Jiu Jitsu & MMA as an already accomplished purple belt, bringing a high level of technical skill and a passion for continuous improvement. Under the guidance of Professor Felipe Fogolin, Ethan captured an IBJJF World Championship at purple belt before continuing his journey to earn his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.

As the instructor for Triunfo's 8:00 PM Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals class, Ethan is passionate about helping students build a strong technical foundation in a welcoming and structured environment. His attention to detail, approachable teaching style, and ability to break down techniques make him an excellent resource for both new and experienced practitioners.

In addition to actively training and competing, Ethan is also an employee of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), giving him a unique perspective on the competition circuit, tournament procedures, and the evolution of the sport. He enjoys sharing that knowledge with students while helping them develop sound fundamentals, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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