Instructors

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

  • Natalie Garland
    Natalie Garland
    JiuJitsu Instructor

Natalie Garland

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

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.

  • Yegor Makhiboroda
    Yegor Makhiboroda
    JiuJitsu Instructor
  • Sam Ohanesian
    Sam Ohanesian
    JiuJitsu Instructor

Sam Ohanesian

My name is Sam Ohanesian. I have been training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for about 7 years now and I am a brown belt under Mike Macgregor at Mako BJJ. I started BJJ with a small group of people while I was stationed in California in the Air Force and I was instantly hooked. I now teach classes at Mako BJJ here in Tucson, AZ. I love teaching and being able to meet new people who share a common interest in BJJ.

CJ Higgins

CJ Higgins, BJJ Purple Belt who loves to compete and train and play jiu jitsu. Fire Captain @ NWFD Station 30 C shift, and also Health Educator & EMT Program Coordinator at U of A. Im passionate about adult learning & am constantly trying to discover, implement, and learn better ways to help people get better at their chosen craft. I love jiu jitsu, excited to share it.

  • CJ Higgins
    CJ Higgins
    JiuJitsu Instructor
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.

Sam Ohanesian
JiuJitsu Instructor

My name is Sam Ohanesian. I have been training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for about 7 years now and I am a brown belt under Mike Macgregor at Mako BJJ. I started BJJ with a small group of people while I was stationed in California in the Air Force and I was instantly hooked. I now teach classes at Mako BJJ here in Tucson, AZ. I love teaching and being able to meet new people who share a common interest in BJJ.

CJ Higgins
JiuJitsu Instructor

CJ Higgins, BJJ Purple Belt who loves to compete and train and play jiu jitsu. Fire Captain @ NWFD Station 30 C shift, and also Health Educator & EMT Program Coordinator at U of A. Im passionate about adult learning & am constantly trying to discover, implement, and learn better ways to help people get better at their chosen craft. I love jiu jitsu, excited to share it.