Head Instructors

Tony Passos is the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Pro-Fitness Martial Arts. Tony started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1998 while living in Brazil, and currently is a black belt under Ricardo De La Riva.

Tony was born and raised in Recife, Brazil. Growing up, he found great success playing soccer. However, after a few years of training Jiu-Jitsu it became apparent that he needed to make a choice. Would he continue towards his dream of becoming a professional soccer player, or would he focus on becoming a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt? After realizing his deep love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he decided that soccer would have to be a hobby because Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was his life.

Tony moved to the United States in 2003. He continued training under 2nd degree Black Belt Moacir "Boca" Oliveira and 5th degree Black Belt Ricardo De La Riva Goded. Tony received his Black Belt from De La Riva and Boca in May 2007. He is part of a select group of De La Riva Black belts, which includes professional mixed martial arts champions such as Antonio Rogério "Minotoro" Nogueira and is brother Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira.

Tony is currently the official representative for the De La Riva Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association in the United States.

Matt Nielsen is the head Muay Thai instructor at Pro-Fitness Martial Arts. He has over 24 years Martial Arts experience. Matt started training in Judo under Dr. Sachio Ashida when he was 8 years old. At 14 years old he started training in Kwok Wu Chen, a blend of Traditional Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, and Malaysian Tomoi (Malaysian Kickboxing).

When Matt was 18 years old he joined the US Navy as a Mineman (Mine Technician) and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan for 4 years. While in Okinawa Matt trained in Japanese Style Kickboxing and Filipino Style Boxing at the World Ring Gym. Matt fought three inter club K-1 rules kickboxing fights in Okinawa, winning all three.

After returning to the United States in 1998, Matt continued his training in Kickboxing under Ray Casal in Niagara Falls, New York. In 2000 he briefly trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Alexandre “Grandao” Dantas.

In 2003 Matt moved to Northern Virginia and started training in traditional Muay Thai under Kru Brooks Miller. In 2006 Matt resumed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and received his blue belt 4 months later from Tony Passos.

In July, 2007 Matt traveled to Thailand. He trained at Kaewsamrit Gym and Sor.Vorapin Gym in Bangkok, Fairtex Gym in Pattaya, and most notably, Sinbi Gym in Phuket. While in Thailand Matt lived and trained side by side with some of the best Muay Thai fighters in the world.

Matt started teaching at Pro-Fitness Martial Arts in May of 2006. He teaches a blend of Authentic Muay Thai, Japanese Kickboxing, and Filipino Boxing.
Matt is also a Physical Education and Health teacher, licensed in both Virginia and New York State.

Brooks Miller has been training in Muay Thai for the last 15 years. He has won 3 U.S. East Coast Muay Thai Championship Titles in 3 different weight classes.

Most recently, Brooks has founded Khun Kao Promotions to promote novice Muay Thai events in Maryland, DC, & Virginia, showcasing many of his events at the Pro-Fitness facilities.

Brooks is available for private lessons at Pro-Fitness Martial Arts.

Visiting Instructors

Ricardo "De la Riva" Goded is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who is most famous for inventing the De la Riva Guard. He was voted one of the top 5 BJJ players in the world by Gracie Magazine. He started training in January of 1980, when he was 15 years old. De la Riva received his black belt from Carlson Gracie Sr. in 1986.

Moacir "Boca" Oliveira is a 2nd degree Black Belt under Ricardo De La Riva. He runs his own academy in Miami Florida. (www.bocajiujitsu.com)