Founder/ Owner / Instructor Professor Stephen “Phynix” McCloskey
Stephen “Phynix” McCloskey is a 16-year United States Army Veteran. He holds a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt from Master Carlson Gracie Jr and Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani. Stephen has been training BJJ for over 9 years, validating his skills throughout various competition-based events such as IBJJF PANS & OPENS, and has a passion for the gentle art. He’s had the pleasure of training and learning alongside top-level BJJ practitioners and stays up to date on this ever-evolving Martial Art.
White Belt
2017 IBJJF Charlotte Open Bronze Medalist
2017 Newbreed Columbia, S.C No-GI Bronze Medalist
2017 Newbreed Columbia, S.C GI Bronze Medalist
2018 IBJJF Atlanta Open Silver Medalist
Blue Belt
2020 IBJJF PAN Champion No-GI Silver Medalist
2020 IBJJF Atlanta Open GI Silver Medalist
2020 Newbreed Columbia, S.C No-GI Gold Medalist
2020 Newbreed Columbia, S.C GI Silver Medalist
Purple Belt
2021 IBBJF Nashville, TN No-GI Gold Medalist
2021 IBJJF Atlanta, GA GI Gold Medalist
2022 IBJJF PAN Champion Bronze Medalist
2022 IBJJF Charleston Open GI Gold Medalist
2022 IBJJF Charleston OPEN No-GI Gold Medalist
2022 IBJJF Charleston Absolute No-GI Bronze Medalist
Brown Belt
2023 IBJJF Charleston Open GI Gold Medalist
2023 IBJJF Charleston Open No-GI Gold Medalist
2023 IBJJF Charleston Absolute Open No-GI Gold Medalist
2023 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC GI Gold Medal
2023 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC No-GI Gold Medal
2024 Newbreed Charlotte, N.C GI Silver Medalist
2024 Newbreed Charlotte, N.C No-Gi Bronze Medalist
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC GI Gold Medalist
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC GI Gold Medalist
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte, NC GI Gold Medalist
Black Belt
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte, GI Super Fight Silver Medalist
Professor Kenny Gomez
Kenny Gomez is a lifelong martial artist. He holds a certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt from Professor Paulo “Mushu” Elsimaani. Kenny has been training in the art of BJJ for over 13 years and has competed in grappling and many forms of martial arts competition. He has had the pleasure of training alongside top-level BJJ practitioners and alongside UFC, Bellator, and Championship veterans.
White Belt:
NAGA North American Championship 2012 – Nogi Bronze
The Good Fight Christmas Classic – 2012 – Gi Gold
Blue Belt:
Grappling Industries North vs South Carolina – Gi – Gold
Purple Belt:
Newbreed Columbia – Advanced Nogi – Bronze
Newbreed Columbia – Gi – Gold
IBJJF Charleston Open – Gi – Bronze
Assistant Kids Instructor Andrew McCloskey
Andrew McCloskey started his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at the age of 10 years old. He trained off and on under Professor Guybson Sa at Spartan Academy until moving to Camden, S.C where he trained with his father for 2 years in the garage where RPBJJ was founded. He now trains under Professor Mushu and his father the Head Coach of Rising Phoenix BJJ. Andrew was recently awarded his blue belt and loves to compete.
Blue belt
2023 Encounter Combat GI Gold Medal
2023 Encounter Combat No-GI Silver Medal
2024 Newbreed Charlotte NC Bronze Medal
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte NC Silver Medalist
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte NC Silver Medalist
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte NC Fastest Submission belt
2024 Encounter Combat Charlotte NC Gold Medalist