Carl Ranieri
Owner/Founder
Carl Ranieri is a professional fighter and life long martial artist. He has competed in various grappling, boxing, and mixed martial arts tournaments. He has held 3 titles in 2 weight classes (heavyweight and Light heavyweight simultaneously) the American Battle Championship and the XFN Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Championships. Carl believes strongly that his God given mission in life is to help others find their way through the sport of mixed martial arts. Carl started martial arts in N.Y. at eight yrs. old in a system called Tai-Zen Japanese Jiujitsu/ Karate. He trained 14 yrs and eventually earning his brown belt. At 18 he proudly served in the U.S. Military for 4 yrs and studied with several other martial artists in various styles. He was consistently ranked in the top percentile in physical fitness within the military. After the military, Carl resumed training and eventually found his way to mixed martial arts. Carl has studied under many top coaches and instructors. He has dedicated his life to mixed martial arts and fitness training, as well as helping others, which is his true passion.
Cesar Serje
Head Coach
Cesar Serje is a professional Fighter and Coach. He is known for his vision of the game and desire to produce the most complete fighters possible. He has coached multiple fighters to multiple championships and numerous medals and victories. He always makes himself available to his students and is arguably the best at shaping them regardless of their goals or skill levels. Cesar Serje earned a brown belt in a freestyle fighting system and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt under Efrain El Lobo Ruiz, and Ricardo hell raiser Texeira.
Cesar has trained with many elite fighters throughout his fourteen plus years in the mixed martial arts world. He has worked stand up with Eric el tigri Castanos, a highly regarded trainer and many other great trainers. There are many hundreds of students past and present who would eagerly testify to the type of Coach and Man he is and we and we Rock M.M.A are proud to call him Head Coach.
Jayce Monroe
Boxing Coach
Despite getting a late start in boxing, Jayce Monroe is a highly gifted athlete that is evident while watching his in ring performances. Starting in 2010 Monroe had his pro debut at the Hardrock casino in Hollywood FL. With a professional record of 2-1-1, Jayce Monroe now focuses his talents on training others to fight in his unique style of the sweet science while still staying true to the basics of boxing. Sources say that Monroe is training to soon make a come back to the sport he loves.
Efrain Ruiz
Jiu-Jitsu Coach
Efrain Ruiz has been training in the Martial Arts his whole life- since age four…giving him a total of over 29 years of training. Efrain, as a child, practiced Kenpo Karate and at age 14 began training in kickboxing. At age 18, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and continued training on his own at various boxing gyms in the Marines. Efrain would serve proudly in Desert Storm. In 1993, he began training in Jeet Kune Do and Shoot-Wrestling under Mike Lee Kanarek. In 1994, he began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training under Crolin Gracie. he would work with Gracie and eventually earn his purple belt under him. In 1997, Efrain opened his first martial arts club and began teaching career. That same year, Efrain became certified under legendary Joe Lewis in Kickboxing - earning the rank of 1st degree black belt. he would also earn his certification as an instructor in Jeet Kune Do, Kickboxing, and Combat Knife Fighting under Mike Lee Kanarek.
In 2000, Efrain began training with Ricardo Teixeira, earning his brown belt the following year. By 2004, Efrain would earn his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Ricardo. On top of his training with Ricardo, from 2003 to 2007, Efrain trained extensively under Eric el tigre Castanos (3 time world champion kick boxer and coach for being middleweight champion Jermain Taylor)
Miguel Baeza
MMA Coach
It’s hard to believe at 23yrs old he is just getting started. Back in 2007, Miguel Baeza walked into his first gym and stepped onto the mat. It was evident then, as it is now, that this kid was something special. With a combination of athleticism and brains, he quickly adapted to mixed martial arts and became well versed in all aspects of training. He has since earned his brown belt. It is hard to believe that at just twenty- three years old, he has won numerous grappling championships and mixed martial arts titles to his name. He holds four championships as an amateur in four different categories and is currently an undefeated pro fighter. He is one of Rock MMA’s shining stars. Keep an eye out for this one, we expect big things from him. Over the years, he has been an amazing coach, with his passion for the game being contagious. We are proud to call him a coach at Rock MMA.
Patrick Peterson
MMA Basics Coach
Patrick peterson is our MMA basics coach. He is one of our young rising stars. Having earned his purple belt in under 3 yrs. (a rare accomplishment) he has taken to MMA as a duck to water.
He has competed in and won several Grappling tournaments at the expert level as well as won back to back fights in a shoot fighting tournament winning the tournament. He also has competed in national wrestling tournaments sporting a 6-2 record against the best in the country. Oh and did we mention he is only 16. His fire and passion towards martial arts is contagious and his class is Top notch.