Our Martial Art Instructors

Our professional instructors are highly trained in several martial arts disciplines.

All Head Instructors have 15 – 35 years of experience in the Martial Arts and are dedicated to bringing out the best in each and every student. Defensive Edge is a proud member of Blackbelt Schools International, MAIA (Martial Arts Industry Association), NAPMA (National Association of Professional Martial Artist). But more important than our blackbelt rankings and Championships is our students achievements! That is why our instructors continue to be students themselves. Our instructors continuously train, attend seminars, and research to improve our ability to help our students reach their goals.

adult martial arts classes

Master Rick Alford – Founder of Defensive Edge

Founded Defensive Edge Martial Arts 1999
Black Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Andre “Dedeco” Almeida
5th Degree Black Belt Lysak’s Sento Method under Walt Lysak Jr.
6th Degree Black Belt Castoldi’s Street Jujitsu under Professor David Castoldi
4th Degree iCAT Reality Martial Arts Under Richard Ryan and Walt Lysak Jr.
3rd Degree Black Belt Small Circle Jujitsu under Soke Ed Melaugh
2nd Degree Black Belt Joe Lewis Fighting Systems under Grand Master Joe Lewis
Muay Thai Level III under Ciano Delucia
Tribal Leader Level II under Guru Michael Williams
Studied White Crane & Long Fist Kung Fu under Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (1990-1994)
1st Degree Black Belt Chung Moo Quan
Training Judo Privately with Olympian Rick Hawn
iCAT RMA National Director
iCAT RMA Certified Level V Pro-Coach
iCAT Team Elite & Masters Alliance Member
Certified in F.I.G.H.T. (Fierce Israeli Guerrilla Hand-to-Hand Tactics)
NRA Certified Basic Pistol Instructor
NRA Certified Home Safety Instructor
NRA Refuse to Be a Victim Instructor
Mass State Police Licensed LTC Firearm Safety Course Instructor
NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
Team Captain Wrestling CRLS (1986)
MVP Wrestling CRLS (1986)
Licensed MMA Trainer – Massachusetts, RI, NH, ME, CT, AL, FL,
Former E.M.T. (15 Years)
Former Emergency Communications Operator City of Cambridge, MA (Police, Fire, EMS)
Featured Martial Arts Instructor on Lifetime TV’s “Teen Trouble” Hosted by Josh Shipp (January, 2013)
Featured on Radio Disney (November, 2012)

Sensei Josh Johnson – Owner and Head Instructor

Coaches BJJ. MMA, and Muay Thai
4th Degree Blackbelt Under Rick Alford
Black Belt BJJ Under Andre “Dedeco” Almeida
2nd Degree Blackbelt Small Circle Jujitsu Under Rick Alford
Muay Thai Level V Certified (Kru) under Ciano Delucia
Former Pro MMA Fighter

Dave Lyons – Muay Thai Head Coach

Blackbelt 3rd Degree Defensive Edge RMA/SCJ under Shihan Rick Alford
Muay Thai Level V under Kru Ciano Delucia
Amateur Muay Thai Fighter
2024 US MTO Champion

Brandon Montella – Boxing Head Coach

Served in the U.S. Marine Corps until 2003
Worked in various fields post-military before pursuing a career focused on serving others
Became an ACE certified trainer in 2010 after leaving the construction industry
Began boxing at age 31 to gain real-life experience for teaching fitness boxing
Won three New England boxing tournaments within nine months of training
Won the New England Golden Gloves in his first year of competition
Turned professional at age 34 after 21 amateur fights
Retired undefeated in 2017 with a 9-0 professional boxing record
Over 10 years of experience as a certified boxing coach
Developed Golden Glove Champions and trained fighters for charity events like Haymakers for Hope and Punch for Parkinson’s
Currently coaches two professional fighters—one undefeated, and one holding two professional titles
Founder of 501(c)(3) nonprofit Mission Ready, supporting at-risk youth and veterans through fitness
Completed a 100-mile ultramarathon in 2022 to raise funds for Mission Ready
Inducted into the Marquis Who’s Who in 2021 for community dedication
Advocates for building “confidence in self” through boxing and self-defense
Committed father, husband, and coach striving for personal growth and helping others reach their potential through boxing

Fernanda Araujo – Women’s Classes/ MMA Fight Camps

Black Belt 2nd Degree Judo and Pro Athlete (4x Regional National Champion, 7x Brazilian National Medalist, Quebec Open Champion)
Black Belt Defensive Edge Under Shihan Rick Alford
Black Belt Shotokan Karate (3rd at World Championships, 4x National Champion)
Brown Belt BJJ (2x Pan-Am Gi Champion, 2nd place No-Gi Pan-Am, 3x 2nd place Gi World Championship, 2x 2nd place No-Gi World Championship, 3rd place open class No-Gi World Championship)
Pro MMA Fighter (12 Amateur Fights and U.S. National Champion, 7 Professional Fights)
Pro Boxer (7 Amateur Fights, 2 Professional Fights)

Michelle Marques – Women’s BJJ Classes

Black belt BJJ (2x Gi World Champion, No-Gi World Champion, Pan-Am Gi Champion, Pan-Am No-Gi Champion, Brazilian National Champion, South America Champion)
Black Belt Judo/ Pro Athlete
Bachelor Degree in Physical Education
22 years Grappling Experience
MMA Fighter (2-1)

Sensei Larry Ruisi – Head Instructor Small Circle Jujitsu

6th Degree Blackbelt Castoldi’s Street Jujitsu under Professor Dave Castoldi
4th Degree Blackbelt Small Circle Jujitsu under Soke Ed Melaugh
Studied White Crane & Long Fist Kung Fu Under Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (5 Years)
1st Degree Blackbelt in Chung Moo Quan
Tribal Leader Level II under Guru Michael Williams

Dana Sharpton – NO-GI Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Training Jiu Jitsu for over 5 years, making the jump from white belt to brown belt in four and a half years
Focus on training, teaching, and understanding Jiu Jitsu from a conceptual approach. Dana’s goal is to teach techniques that will work in a competitive setting
Active Regional and National competitor
Actively studies newest systems to keep the program updated with the evolving world of Jiu Jitsu