Train| Together!

Boosting Safety Together: No Belt Required Elevates Law Enforcement, First Responder, and Citizen Safety with Continued Defensive Tactic Training for Effective De-Escalation.

Building Resilience, Fostering Safety – Empowering Law Enforcement and First Responders Through Continued Defensive Tactics and De-Escalation Training

Our ultimate goal is to save Law Enforcement, First Responders and community member lives while enhancing community safety, improving the physical and mental health of first responders, and growing public trust.

Our expert Martial Artist and First Responder staff at No Belt Required have created a foundational program to teach the most effective and applicable moves from the most effective self defense disciplines.

  • Wrestling
  • Judo
  • Jiu-Jitsu
  • Boxing/Muay Thai

The classes will focus on teaching the skills you need to protect yourself and others.

This course has received full AZPOST accreditation for continued training credit.

Our instructors are a mix of first responder professionals with extensive real life policing experience and martial arts training as well as expert civilian martial arts practitioners and coaches who understand the need for further education for our law enforcement community.

Instructors will teach a small, specifically chosen list of effective, and proven techniques in every discipline and focus on providing an experienced and safe place to practice, practice, practice.

Practice Makes Progress|

Mako NBR

Meet the Coaches

Saving Lives Through Jiu-Jitsu: Meet Our Dedicated Instructors Committed to Positive Impact and Community Growth

  • Brendon Brumitt
    Brendon Brumitt
    NBR Head Coach
  • Natalie Garland
    Natalie Garland
    JiuJitsu Instructor
  • Yegor Makhiboroda
    Yegor Makhiboroda
    JiuJitsu Instructor
  • Tim Beithon
    Tim Beithon
    JiuJitsu Instructor
  • John Bassford
    John Bassford
    Muay Thai and Striking Coach
  • Nick Benincasa
    Nick Benincasa
    JiuJitsu Instructor
  • Gerald Garland
    Gerald Garland
    JiuJitsu Instructor
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Benefits of No Belt Required

Empowering Law Enforcement & First Responders Through Continued Defensive Tactic Training with The NBR Community

Mental Health

No Belt Required is committed to supporting first responders in their well-being journey. Our program provides a dedicated space for decompression and mental wellness, fostering a community where officers can share experiences and access resources to navigate the unique challenges.

Confidence

No Belt Required focuses on building your confidence through hands-on training in defensive tactics and de-escalation techniques. By seamlessly incorporating these practices into our programs, we ensure that you not only acquire valuable skills but also gain the confidence to apply them effectively.

Community

At No Belt Required, we foster a community of motivated officers and staff committed to self-improvement and community betterment. Our programs offer opportunities to engage in team building, problem-solving, and networking, allowing you to collaborate with individuals from diverse departments.

Join the NBR Community

Elevate safety for first responders and citizens alike! Join No Belt Required now to boost your skills through repetitive defensive tactics for effective de-escalation. Take action and enhance safety together!

Training Officers and Agents From...

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Brendon Brumitt
NBR Head Coach

Brendon Brumitt has been an avid martial artist since the age of 6 years old. His journey began with Taekwondo and Karate classes provided at the YWCA/YMCA after school program. In his teenage years, he ventured out to Japanese Jujutsu and continued to train Karate as time permitted. Upon joining the military, he continued his Jujutsu training in Japan and eventually obtained his 5th degree black belt. Upon completion of his time in the military, he returned to the US and opened his own Japanese Jujutsu training group and continued to teach and train. In 2005, he returned to Japan and began competing in Judo and training in mixed martial arts. During that time, he competed in MMA, Judo and Combat Submission Wrestling. He returned to the US again in 2014 and began training in Judo and eventually transitioned to Brazilian Jujutsu.

He joined the Navy in 1996 and was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan from 1997 to 2000. Once he was discharged, he began college and was eventually hired by the Tucson Police Department in 2001. He was assigned to Midtown Patrol and worked midnights. During his time on midnights, Brendon spent much of his time taking part in and assisting in narcotics and violent gang investigations. Brendon resigned his commission in 2005 and returned to Japan with his wife. There, he worked as a teacher and taught English and assisted with P.E. and other subjects. In 2014, his family decided to return to the US and he was rehired by the Tucson Police Department and spent the first few years in patrol. Since that time, he has been assigned as a field trainer, lead police officers and a zebra officer working in felony apprehension. In 2016, Brendon became an AZPOST general instructor and eventually became an instructor for high risk stops, defensive tactics and physical training. In 2018, Brendon was promoted to detective and in 2019 he was transferred to the Gang Investigative Unit. He is still an avid DT,PT and high risk stop instructor for the department for both the basic academy and advanced officer training.

During his time as a police officer, Brendon has been in numerous critical incidents and has frequently needed to use force. He attributes his mental resiliency and physical preparedness to constant involvement in martial arts training. It has guided his mindset, physical conditioning and outlook on situations as a police officer. In 2018, Brendon was in a use of force incident with a subject armed with a butcher knife at close quarters and was able to neutralize him without using weapons and was able to come out of the incident unharmed. He attributes that to his extensive martial arts training for physical and mental preparedness. Brendon is motivated to provide an environment for officers to gain a similar level of competence and confidence in their physical skills to help them survive their careers physically whole. He also believes that the repeated conflict rehearsal that regular martial arts training provides will allow officers to maintain their mental health through stress inoculation in a controlled environment. Brendon is eager to help build the No Belt Required program as the head coach in charge of training and curriculum to help officers remain whole throughout their career and to help provide professional and resilient officers to the public of Tucson.

Natalie Garland
JiuJitsu Instructor

My name is Natalie Garland. I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2012 at the age of 35. I did not have any grappling experience when I started. Now I am a Black Belt under David Reilly. I got my Black Belt in November 2022. I currently teach at two gyms, Mako and Undisputed here in Tucson, AZ. I love teaching. The best part about teaching is the students. Watching their progression, makes this job the best job in the world.

Yegor Makhiboroda
JiuJitsu Instructor

My name is Yegor Makhiboroda and I am a brown belt under David Reilly at Undisputed. I have been training Jiu Jitsu for 6 years. Grappling has brought amazing people into my life and has given me the opportunity to travel and train all over the world. I am excited to share this art with others through coaching. I believe grappling can be a powerful vehicle for personal growth if you let it. I love no-gi grappling and have been focused on wrestling over the last few years.

Tim Beithon
JiuJitsu Instructor

I was approached by Mike Pelton and asked if I’d be interested in helping teach Jiu-Jitsu to first responders. I said, “heck yes, great idea!” and from that moment on, I’ve been proud to be involved with this incredible organization. Being part of something that uses Jiu-Jitsu to make a real difference in people’s lives has been both meaningful and rewarding.

What drives me most is the satisfaction of helping first responders stay safer on the job. It’s a tough and often thankless role, and if I can help even a little through training, it’s worth every minute. Giving back to the community in this way means a lot to me, and I’m grateful to be part of a mission that truly matters.

John Bassford
Muay Thai and Striking Coach

John Bassford began his martial arts journey in search of more than just self-defense—he was drawn to the sense of community that training can create. From the start, he believed in the power of martial arts to bring people together through discipline, shared struggle, and personal growth. The camaraderie and respect found on the mats quickly became something he wanted to pass on to others.

When he discovered No Belt Required, John knew he had found something special. The mission of using martial arts to support and empower others, especially those who serve, resonated deeply with him. For John, NBR is more than a training program—it’s a space for connection, healing, and growth. As a coach, he’s committed to helping students build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the gym.

Nick Benincasa
JiuJitsu Instructor

I grew up in sunny Florida and began my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2017 with American Top Team Orlando, training under the guidance of Professor Paul Rodriguez. Over the years, BJJ became more than just a hobby—it became a central part of my life. Through hard work and consistent training, I earned my brown belt before relocating to Tucson in 2023.

Shortly after moving, I learned about No Belt Required through another instructor and decided to attend one of their events. That’s where I met Brendan and was instantly drawn to the mission of the organization. While I’m not a first responder myself, I deeply believe in the values No Belt Required stands for—using Jiu-Jitsu as a tool to build resilience, foster community, and create healing spaces for those who serve and protect.

Outside the gym, I work full-time as a software engineer. When I’m not writing code or drilling techniques, you’ll probably find me writing music, cooking something new in the kitchen, or spending time with my dogs. I’m proud to support No Belt Required and hope to contribute however I can to its continued impact.

Gerald Garland
JiuJitsu Instructor

Gerald Garland is the head Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Undisputed Tucson and holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the respected Professor David Reilly. With over two decades of experience on the mats, Gerald brings a rare combination of technical knowledge, real-world experience, and a deep passion for teaching that has made him one of the most trusted and respected instructors in the Tucson martial arts community.

Gerald’s journey in martial arts began at a young age as a competitive wrestler, laying the foundation for the discipline, grit, and body awareness that would carry over into his Jiu-Jitsu career. After enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1997, he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as part of his training, and the art quickly became a central part of his life. Throughout his military career and later through work in personal security and law enforcement, Gerald continued to train and deepen his understanding of grappling, applying it not just in sport, but in real-world situations where control and composure matter most.

Over the years, Gerald has taught, trained, and competed in a wide range of disciplines including BJJ, No-Holds-Barred (the precursor to modern MMA), and submission wrestling. His approach to instruction is shaped by his diverse experience, blending traditional techniques with practical application, and emphasizing the values of humility, perseverance, and respect.

Today, Gerald teaches full-time at Undisputed Tucson alongside his wife, Natalie, who is also deeply involved in the martial arts community. Together, they foster a welcoming and disciplined environment where students of all backgrounds and skill levels can learn, grow, and find empowerment through Jiu-Jitsu. Whether working with kids, hobbyists, or aspiring competitors, Gerald remains committed to sharing the art that has shaped his life and helping others discover its many benefits.