Professor Dale “Island Dog”

I started training in 1993 at the original Gracie Academy. I met Master Caique shortly after he arrived from Brazil to teach there. He became my primary instructor, and I kept training with him when he opened his original academy in Carson. I believe I was his fourth black belt. I've taught with him on and off ever since, and he promoted me to 4th-degree black belt in 2026.

Over the years I've trained and competed in distance running, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, MMA, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I'm also a member of the Dog Brothers, a group known for real-contact stick and weapons fighting rooted in Filipino martial arts, where I earned the name “Island Dog.”

My professional background is just as varied: I ran a fitness business, managed corporate fitness programs, coached runners, and have worked in software and web development.

My favorite submissions change depending on what I'm working on; lately I've been especially interested in chokes from the mount. What I enjoy most is watching students improve, passing along the subtle details of “invisible Jiu-Jitsu” I've picked up over the years, and the friendships that develop along the way.

Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, I enjoy pickleball, strength and conditioning, ballroom dancing, and working as an AI and business consultant.