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Los Angeles HQ East Los Angeles Evolution Chatsworth

Renzo Gracie Evolution · Chatsworth

Meet
The
Coaches

Every instructor at Evolution is a practitioner first. They've spent years — in many cases decades — on the mat before stepping behind it to teach. What they bring to every class isn't just technique. It's the lived experience of the art.

Renzo Gracie BJJ lineage. Muay Thai precision. Hapkido tradition. All under one roof in Chatsworth.

4+
Lead Instructors
on staff full-time
80+
Combined Years
of training experience
3
Martial Arts
BJJ · Muay Thai · Hapkido

Owner · Head Instructor

Lead
Instructor

Professor Jaime Mendez
Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA

Professor Jaime Mendez

2nd Degree Black Belt · Head Owner

⬛ 2nd Degree Black Belt Renzo Gracie Lineage

Jaime Mendez III began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in New York under Daniel Gracie, Neiman Gracie, and Gino Eunaidi in early 2011. Upon relocating back to LA he started training at 5 Star Martial Arts, now Renzo Gracie Los Angeles in late 2011 and received his black belt from Professor Shawn Williams in 2018. Jaime also has a black pra-jiad in Muay Thai under Kru John Spezzano. He is a 7 time IBJJF Masters World Champion and 2 time Silver medalist. Mendez also has experience in Aikido, Karate and Boxing.

Needless to say Jaime has fallen in love with martial arts and expressed to Professor Williams that he wanted to open his own school in the near future. As fortune would have it the opportunity came to fruition faster than Mendez anticipated. In July of 2019 Jaime was given the opportunity of a lifetime by Professor Williams to purchase 5 Star Martial Arts/Renzo Gracie Los Angeles from him. Jaime jumped at the opportunity and recruited Coach Steven Calderon to be his partner and as they say, “the rest is history”. Along with a few other minority partners they have successfully navigated RGLA through the Covid pandemic and have the academy in a much stronger position than ever imagined by moving to a much larger location with a great crew of coaches and students. Jaime and the rest of the team at RGLA are extremely excited about their future!

Jaime also briefly played in the NFL for Philadelphia and Baltimore. He played collegiate football under the legendary Bill Snyder at Kansas State University where he was a Consensus All American Free Safety in 1993, 2nd Team All-American in 1992, a 3 time All Big 8 Performer, and in 1990 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Mendez was inducted into the KSU Ring of Honor in 2002, Cardinal Mooney High School Hall of Fame in 2006, Kansas State University Hall of Fame in 2013 and The State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2016

Professor Jaime is driven to make RGLA the premier martial arts academy in LA. He and the team’s purpose is to have every individual that walks through the doors at Renzo Gracie Los Angeles believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to while creating a very family oriented atmosphere. #thisishowwefamily

When Jaime isn’t at RGLA, you can bet he’s with his son Varro and dog Max on some crazy adventure!

Teaches

BJJ Muay Thai MMA

BJJ · Muay Thai · MMA Instructor

Lead
Instructor

Jon Bond
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, Muay Thai

Jon Bond

2nd Degree Black Belt · Instructor

Jon began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2004 under Karl Tanswell at SBG Manchester (Straight Blast Gym), one of the UK’s pioneering MMA academies. After over 16 years of dedicated training, coaching, and competition, Jon received his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt in 2020 under Matt Thornton and Marco Sanchez.

Before Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jon’s first combat sport was boxing; he competed as both an amateur and professional fighter throughout his teens and early twenties. His passion for combat sports later evolved into mixed martial arts, leading him to complete multiple MMA and Muay Thai training camps in Phuket between 2009–2011, training extensively at Tiger Muay Thai and Phuket Top Team to further develop his striking and grappling skillset.

Over the course of his coaching career, Jon has worked with more than 10 professional MMA athletes competing on Cage Warriors in the United Kingdom, several of whom later progressed to compete in the UFC. Alongside his work in combat sports, Jon has coached athletes across strength & conditioning, performance, and human optimization, including NFL athletes, professional fighters, world champion powerlifters, and high-performing professionals.

Jon also spent nearly two years coaching at SBG Australia in Sydney, Australia, under renowned coach Ben Power, further refining his coaching philosophy and approach to combat performance.

Jon`s coaching philosophy combines technical excellence, intelligent progression, and a strong emphasis on discipline, resilience, and longevity. Whether teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, or MMA, Jon is passionate about helping students of all levels build confidence, sharpen their skills, and reach their full potential on and off the mats.

Coach Jon currently teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and MMA at Renzo Gracie Chatsworth.

The Coaching Staff

Meet
The Staff

Mathew Meehan
Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai

Mathew Meehan

Purple Belt· Instructor

Chad Yapyapan
Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai

Chad Yapyapan

Purple Belt · Instructor

Jenica Felicitas
Hapkido

Jenica Felicitas

2nd Degree Black Belt · Lead Hapkido Instructor

Carter Lee
BJJ Kids, Hapkido

Carter Lee

Black Belt Hapkido · Purple Belt BJJ · Instructor

Carter Lee has been studying martial arts for about 20 years. Many of those years were spent in practicing Brazilian JiuJitsu and as a black belt in Aikido. His pursuit in a career working as a stunt performer has lead him to study other disciplines like Judo, Muay Thai, Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, Kendo, and now Hapkido! He continues to study and grow as a martial artist and is excited to continue that journey here at Renzo Gracie Evolution!

Standards & Credentials

Why Train
Here

🎖️
Renzo Gracie Certified

Our BJJ program operates within the Renzo Gracie network — one of the most respected grappling lineages in the world. Standards are set from the top and upheld at every level.

🥋
Hapkido Black Belts

Our Hapkido program is led by Jenica Felicitas, a 2nd-degree Hapkido black belt, with Carter Lee, also a Hapkido black belt, teaching alongside her.

👶
Youth Coaching Certified

All instructors working with minors hold current youth coaching certification and have passed comprehensive background checks. No exceptions, no shortcuts.

🏥
CPR / First Aid

Every full-time coach is current on CPR and first aid certification. Safety protocols are embedded in every class — from warm-up to cool-down.

Train with the best in the San Fernando Valley

Your First Class Is Free.

Come meet the coaches, try any program, and experience Renzo Gracie Evolution in person. No commitment, no pressure.

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