Our

Instructors

✻

Our instructors have amassed years of experience in studying and teaching the martial arts that comprise the BETA program. Their well-developed expertise and life-long passion for tactical arts, used by champions in the ring of mixed martial arts, separates them from other instructors in the area.

“The true work of the martial arts is progress, not perfection.” -Gene Dunn

Nakapan Phungephorn Founder / Owner / Head Instructor

Nakapan Phungephorn is a passionate life-long martial artist with over 20 years of experience practicing, teaching and competing in the martial arts. He began his journey in 1993, studying Shaolin Kung Fu as a way to recover from a debilitating bout with Lyme’s disease. Mental disciplined and physical conditioning gained from consistent practice later lead him to a fruitful competitive career in the traditional fighting arts and included over 50 championship titles.
Seeking to be a more capable and well-rounded martial artist, his pursuits lead him to study the combatively effective disciplines of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. Since 1995, Nakapan has been fortunate enough to learn from many of the world’s most skilled martial artists masters earning his Brazilian Jiu-Jitu Black Belt under Professor Pedro Sauer in 2003 and a Muay Thai instructor teaching “Kru” certification under Khun Kru Mike Moses and Ajarn Chai Sirisute of the World Muay Thai Association (WTBA).
His personal mission is to spread the art, history, and spirit of the martial arts.

Accomplishments
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Professor Pedro Sauer
• Judo Brown Belt (ikkyu) by the United States Judo Federation
• Certified Teacher “Kru” under World Thai Boxing Association

Competition Accolades
• 6-1 MMA Record (1-1 Professional)
• 9 Times US Grappling Submission Only Champion
• Multi-Time Virginia State Judo Champion
• Multi-Time Maryland State Judo Champion
• 2001 WKA Amateur Middleweight Muay Thai Champion

International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (IBJJF) Gold Medals (abbreviated):
• 2016 NoGi Worlds Middleweight Champion**
• 2016 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Absolute Champion**
• 2015 San Antonio Jiu-Jitsu Absolute Champion*
• 2015 New York BJJ PRO Absolute Champion*
• 2015 New York BJJ PRO Middleweight Champion*
• 2012 New York International Jiu-Jitsu Champion*
• 2012 New York International Jiu-Jitsu Champion*
**Black Belt Masters 2
* Black Belt Masters 1

Click here to read Nakapan’s Bio