About Us
At Raven Grappling, we are passionate about providing a safe and enjoyable environment for practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Our professional training facility is designed to accommodate students of all skill levels—whether you’re seeking a casual experience or aiming for competitive pursuits, we have a place for you.
We recognize that everyone has unique motivations for exploring martial arts. That's why our dedicated instructors focus on helping you reach your individual goals, whether it's self-defense, fitness, or competition. With our expert guidance, you’ll always receive the support you need on your BJJ journey.
Whether you are a member and a visitor, you can expect a warm welcome. We prioritize creating a fun and nurturing atmosphere, where everyone can enjoy the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, while connecting with a supportive community.
Meet the Team
Dmytro
Owner & Head Instructor
Rank: Black Belt
A student & a black belt under legendary coaches Brent Burniston & Nic Gregoriades, Dmytro has been practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since he was only 15 years old. Unlike most students today, he was first exposed to this martial art through the practice of MMA.
During his first several years, Dmytro was primarily training in Submission (No-Gi) grappling, but as the martial art began to grow in popularity, he then fully commited himself to specializing in every aspect of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Following the opening of Raven Grappling, Dmytro continues strive to better himself as an instructor, practitioner and owner, under the direct guidance of Professor Brent Burniston and Professor Nicholas Gregoriades, of Subconscious Jiu Jitsu Association.
As his journey in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu carries on, Dmytro's passion for self-improvement as well as sharing all that he has learned from over 2 decades of experience, in both competitive and self-defense oriented styles has never been stronger. He is always commited in bringing a depth of practical knowledge to his students, whether they have casual or competitive aspirations.
Instructor Lineage:
Jigoro Kano → Tomita Tsunejirō → Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie Sr. → Hélio Gracie → Rickson Gracie → Jean Jacques Machado → Brent Burniston → Dmytro Khabarov
Carlos Gracie Sr. → Hélio Gracie → Carlos Gracie Jr. → Roger Gracie → Nicholas Gregoriades → Dmytro Khabarov
Mike
Assistant Instructor - All Levels Program
Rank: Brown Belt
Mike is a highly skilled and technical brown belt, who has been practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over 10 years. However, prior to training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mike has also had many years of experience in training Kung Fu, and understands the value that a martial art can bring to a person’s life. He is also a firm believer that whether it is for self-defense or competition, it is important to be learning a martial art that teaches techniques that are practical and work against resisting opponents.
Aside from being a life-long martial artist, Mike is also an avid student of injury prevention protocols as well as strength and conditioning programs. His knowledge has become invaluable for the school, as he is always keen on providing guidance on how to build and maintain longevity, whether it’s for training on the mats or for how to gracefully age into the future.
Whether it’s your first time meeting Mike or if you have trained with him in the past, you will quickly see that his passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and innate nature of being analytical, is what continues to drive him to be such a great practitioner and coach, to both his peers and students alike.
Tiffany
Assistant Instructor - Beginner Program
Rank: Purple Belt
Currently holding the rank of purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tiffany is a life-long martial artist whose first exposure to the sport was via watching Power Rangers in 1994. Fast forward almost three decades and she is now an accomplished multi-disciplined instructor, who has trained and taught at many gyms across North America.
As a coach and an active competitor, Tiffany brings with her a lot of knowledge and experience. She understands what athletes need to be able to achieve their goals. Tiffany takes great joy in actively encouraging students to succeed and looks forward to helping them grow into champions, both on and off the mats.
As Tiffany continues to evolve as a martial artist, you can count on her to be very detail-oriented and to always approach training from a safety-based mindset. When not coaching, Tiffany can be regularly seen on the mats setting new challenges for herself, so that she can become a little bit better every day.
When you find yourself on the mats, look for Tiffany, as you can count on her to give you a warm welcome, whether you are a new or a veteran student at Raven Grappling.
Loren
Assistant Instructor - Family BJJ
Rank: Blue Belt
A dedicated blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Loren has been training exclusively at Raven Grappling for the past two years. Drawn to the art for its blend of challenge, strategy, and community, Loren leads the Family Class with a focus on keeping training simple, fun, and meaningful.
As both a parent and a practitioner, Loren loves bringing his own family—including his two daughters—onto the mats to share the joy of learning together. His teaching style is centered on leading by example and always explaining the “why” behind each technique, helping students of all ages build confidence and understanding.
When not instructing, Loren can be found actively participating in all other Raven Grappling programs, continuously growing as both a student and a coach. Known for his approachable nature and positive energy, he strives to make every class a welcoming space where families can connect, learn, and have fun.
Subconscious Jiu Jitsu Founders
Professor Brent Burniston
4th Degree Black Belt
Subconscious Founder
HQ Head Instructor
Brent Burniston received his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from the legendary Jean Jacques Machado.
As one of Machado’s top black belts and instructors, Brent was often called upon to teach classes at his prestigious academy in Tarzana, CA and specifically selected to assist in seminars and conferences with international icons such as Dan Inosanto.
Brent’s is known in the elite circles of martial arts for his innovation, detailed instruction, and endless encyclopedia of technique knowledge.
In 2015, Brent was honored by being appointed as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Advisor to the UFAF, founded by Chuck Norris - one of the leading and most recognizable martial arts organizations in the world.
Brent worked closely with co-founder and Chief Instructor David Dunn in developing the UFAF’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu curriculum.
According to David, “Brent played a crucial role in the development of our curriculum, and is a huge asset to our organization.” At the annual 2015 conference, Brent took part in teaching several massive workshops of over 300 plus UFAF students from all around the world.
Professor Nicholas Gregoriades
4th Degree Black Belt
Association Director
Instructor
Nicolas Gregoriades is a South African grappler who is the first jiu-jitsu practitioner to be promoted to black belt by the greatest grappler of all-time, Roger Gracie.
Gregoriades is an accomplished competitor and national champion in both South Africa and England. He is also the author of two books on the art, The Black Belt Blueprint and Beyond the Black Belt, and his popular instructional videos are known as some of the best on the market.
Over the last 20 years he has taught jiu-jitsu to thousands of students all over the world and is widely regarded as one of the best instructors working today.
He is also well-known for his ‘Spirit of Jiu-Jitsu’ and ‘Soul of Jiu-Jitsu’ short films and his holistic, conceptually-based approach to teaching.