OUR LEADERS
Our team is made up of highly experienced instructors who have competed at the highest levels and have a deep passion for the value martial arts can add to one's life. They’re here to guide and challenge you, helping you become the best version of yourself—both on and off the mat. Whether your goal is to compete or simply learn a new skill, we’ve got your back every step of the way.
COACH BRADEN
JIU-JITSU/MMA/GRAPPLING COACH
Coach Braden Cermak has spent a decade mastering MMA, focusing on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and Judo. He began his competitive journey in BJJ in 2016, transitioning to MMA, and has earned over 100 wins, primarily by submission.
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Known as "The Surgeon" for his precise, technical style, Braden's accolades include Gold medals at the 2022 ADCC Las Vegas Open and 2023 ADCC
California Open, along with national titles like Youth MMA National Champion (2022 & 2023).
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Internationally, Braden is a 2022 Youth MMA World bronze medalist and a 2023 Youth MMA World silver medalist and a Pankration World Champion. He also earned recognition as the MMA star athlete on the Emmy-nominated show All-Round Champion. As an owner of Parabellum Jiu-Jitsu & MMA Academy, Braden brings his extensive competitive experience to the gym, where he's committed to helping students develop elite skills for both sport and life.
COACH MANNIX
JIU-JITSU/MMA/GRAPPLING COACH
Coach Mannix Cermak has spent over a decade mastering martial arts, starting at age 7 with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and later adding MMA, Judo, and wrestling. Since his competitive debut in 2016, Mannix has earned over 80 victories and collected numerous gold medals at local, regional, and national competitions.​ Notable achievements include being the 2021 National Youth MMA Champion, a silver medalist at the 2021 IBJJF Pan Ams, and silver at the 2023 ADCC. On the international stage, Mannix is a 2022 World Youth MMA bronze medalist and 2023 Pankration World Champion. He also earned silver at the 2023 & 2024 National Youth MMA Championships.​
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Coach Mannix is committed to developing well-rounded athletes, preparing them for both martial arts success and life's challenges. As an owner of Parabellum Jiu-Jitsu & MMA Academy, he shares his extensive experience to help students reach their full potential both on and off the mat.
COACH YSIDRO
MMA/WRESTLING COACH
Coach Isidro Alexis has been coined "El Animal". Coach Isidro is known for his knockout power and his highly skilled takedowns. He began his journey in wrestling at the age of 9. Quickly rising the ranks, he attended many important international training camps in countries like Cuba and Russia. He eventually worked his way into multiple national wrestling championships. What many can only dream of attaining, he achieved. Fulfilling his goal in representing the Dominican Republic on the Olympic Wrestling team. Coach Isidro was a Major Sergeant in the Dominican Police Department obtaining 8 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 2 bronze medals in the Army Championship Olympics. Coach Isidro has also obtained 2nd in the Central America Championship, 3rd in the Pan-American Wrestling Championship, and 3rd in the World Championship Wrestling tournament. With coach Isidro's extensive experience, he plans to impart his knowledge and skill into the Parabellum team.
COACH SHAUN
3RD DEGREE BLACKBELT
LEAD MMA & JIU JITSU COACH
Coach Shaun Dillon is an accomplished head instructor and holds a 3rd degree black belt under Ricardo Liborio, who earned his black belt from Grand Master Carlson Gracie. Coach Dillon’s martial arts journey began over 18 years ago in Asheville, before he advanced his training at the American Top Team headquarters in Coconut Creek, Florida. There, he focused on MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Dillon had an impressive fighting record, going 3-0 as an amateur and maintaining the same record as a professional.
While in Florida, he worked closely with Liborio in coaching MMA, contributing to the training of several renowned UFC fighters, including Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Todd Duffee, Johnny Eblen, Yoel Romero, and Vitor Belfort. Notably, he was Covington's main grappling coach and they lived together for three years. After returning to Asheville, Dillon established American Top Team Asheville, where he served as both owner and instructor until 2023. He has now launched Parabellum Jiu Jitsu & MMA Academy, where he aims to leverage his extensive knowledge and experience as a 3rd degree black belt to impart high-level grappling and MMA techniques to his students—skills that can benefit them in competitions, daily life, or pursuing a professional career.
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Most recently, Coach Shaun has stepped back into competing role in order to highlight the importance of competition for his students. Dillon won Gold at ADCC Atlanta, Summer 2025, and we are excited to continue adding students and their accomplishments to our competition team.
COACH SHAUN
3RD DEGREE BLACKBELT
Coach Shaun Dillon is an accomplished head instructor and holds a 3rd degree black belt under Ricardo Liborio, who earned his black belt from Grand Master Carlson Gracie. Coach Dillon’s martial arts journey began over 18 years ago in Asheville, before he advanced his training at the American Top Team headquarters in Coconut Creek, Florida. There, he focused on MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Dillon had an impressive fighting record, going 3-0 as an amateur and maintaining the same record as a professional. However, a neck injury shifted his path from competing to coaching.
While in Florida, he worked closely with Liborio in coaching MMA, contributing to the training of several renowned UFC fighters, including Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal, Todd Duffee, Johnny Eblen, Yoel Romero, and Vitor Belfort. Notably, he was Covington's main grappling coach and they lived together for three years. After returning to Asheville, Dillon established American Top Team Asheville, where he served as both owner and instructor until 2023. He has now launched Parabellum Jiu Jitsu & MMA Academy, where he aims to leverage his extensive knowledge and experience as a 3rd degree black belt to impart high-level grappling and MMA techniques to his students—skills that can benefit them in competitions, daily life, or pursuing a professional career.