Pinnacle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Free Trial

Instructors

The founder who built this room, a black-belt head instructor with world titles, a physician, a fire captain and a coach who came up through this program. Every one of them still trains.

01 Our Founder
Professor Tony Nolan, founder of Pinnacle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Founder
Founded 2021 · Pinnacle Ares Glendale

Tony Nolan

Founder · 1st Degree Black Belt

Pinnacle exists because Professor Nolan built it. A first-degree black belt who also founded Pinnacle Ares Glendale, his influence is clearest in the students he brought up — among them Coach Albert Abril, who has trained under him since his very first class.

In January 2023 he suffered a severe stroke with significant lasting effects, followed by extended hospitalisation and intensive therapy. His resolve never moved. Most Saturdays he is still here, working through physiotherapy with his wife Tracy on the same mats you’ll train on, and he still occasionally trains.

Most gyms lead with medals. We lead with this, because nobody trains their whole life without something going wrong — and the art is not a guarantee against that. It is practice at meeting it.

2021Founded Pinnacle
1st DegreeBlack belt
GlendaleAlso founded Ares
SaturdaysStill on the mats
A journey of resilience and passion.
02 Head Instructor
Ares BJJ · Osvaldo Moizinho lineage

Alef Brito

Head Instructor · Black Belt 2018

Born in Caxias, Maranhão and raised in Buriticupu, Professor Brito came to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at eleven by way of competitive football, capoeira and taekwondo. He committed to it seriously at fifteen while keeping his studies on track, earned an accounting degree in São Luís, and received his black belt in 2018 under Wellyton Menezes, Rildo Paiva and Marcos Santana.

He relocated to the United States in 2022 to pursue the art full time, with the stated goal of helping other athletes build their own careers, and remains an active competitor at the highest level. He teaches the majority of the adult classes on our schedule — gi and no-gi, fundamentals through all-levels.

2026IBJJF World Master champion
Double Gold2025 IBJJF Pans
2018Black belt
Age 11First on the mat
2026 IBJJF World Master
Gold — Middleweight · Silver — Open Class. Las Vegas.
2025 IBJJF World Master
Silver — Middleweight.
2025 IBJJF Pan Championship
Double gold — Middleweight and Open Class.
2023 IBJJF Pan Championship
Gold medallist.
Never let winning go to your head. Never let losing go to your heart.
Professor Alef Brito, black belt head instructor at Pinnacle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Head Instructor
03 The Coaching Team

Coaches who
still train

A physician, a fire captain, and coaches who came up through this room. Every class on the schedule is led by one of them.

01
Professor Ken Ota, black belt instructor and physician at Pinnacle BJJ

Ken “Doc” Ota

Instructor · Adult BJJ

A practising physician. Black belt awarded 8 June 2024; teaches the Wednesday midday all-levels class.

Black belt
Full bio

Professor Ken Ota began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2009, training and competing through white, blue, purple and brown belt before receiving his black belt on 8 June 2024 — awarded by Professors Tony Nolan, Osvaldo “Queixinho” Moizinho and Alef Brito.

His teaching centres on helping students build the foundations of both physical and mental resilience — which, given what he does for a living, is not an abstract interest.

Stress in life is categorical. Inevitable. How we respond to stress is a choice. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu continues to train my mind to be calm in high-stress situations.Prof. Ken Ota
02
Coach Albert Abril, purple belt and Phoenix Fire Captain at Pinnacle BJJ

Albert Abril

Coach · Adults & Kids

Phoenix Fire Captain and certified paramedic. Works closely with first responders and veterans.

Purple belt
Full bio

Albert began his personal journey with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 38. He is currently a purple belt and has trained under Professor Tony Nolan since his first class. Jiu Jitsu has been an integral part of healing through several physical and mental challenges in his life, and his stated desire is to be a good ambassador of this beautiful art wherever he goes.

Albert has served on the Phoenix Fire Department since 2000, currently as a Fire Captain assigned to the Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force, and is a Certified Emergency Paramedic. He loves Jesus and has been involved in ministry since 2009, with a particular heart for first responders and veterans struggling with PTSD.

He has been married to Carissa since 2005. She is his favourite person. They have two children.

BJJ means being completely engaged in the moment… so much peace and joy is found in the ability to be present and focused on what’s in front of you.Coach Albert Abril
03
Coach Jessica Lang, purple belt women’s and kids instructor at Pinnacle BJJ

Jessica Lang

Coach · Women’s & Kids

Leads the Ladies’ Self-Defense class every Friday at 5 PM and coaches throughout the kids program.

Purple belt
Full bio

Coach Jessica Lang leads the Ladies’ Self-Defense class every Friday evening and coaches younger students in the kids program.

On my BJJ journey, I’ve had the chance to discover the strength within me and feel empowered learning moves that I can use to defend myself. I find it extremely rewarding to watch the children’s progress and see their confidence grow — a confidence they will apply in all other areas of their lives.Coach Jessica Lang

Five instructors, one curriculum, three black belts on the mats. Open any card for the full background.

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