• Tiny Tigers
• Junior Grapplers
• Teens & Adults
• Private Lessons

Dean Hersche

Head Instructor

Our head instructor Dean Hersche has been involved in martial arts for over 25 years, starting his training in 1982 with Isshin-ryu Karate.  While winning numerous tournaments in the Michigan circuit at the green, brown and black belt levels, Dean achieved the rank of 3rd degree Black Belt in Isshin-ryu Karate.

Dean started his journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1992 and is currently the only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt in the Windsor and Essex County region.

Dean received his blue belt from UFC 1, 2 and 4 champion Royce Gracie of the legendary Gracie family.  In 1999 he started training under multiple-time World Champions Saulo and Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro with Chris Blanke.  Two years later, in 2001, Dean was awarded his purple belt by Saulo Ribeiro. 

After winning the Purple Belt Master's Division at the Saulo Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Annual Association Tournament in 2005, Dean received his Brown Belt from Saulo Ribeiro.

Three years later, in 2008, Dean won the Brown Belt Master's Division at the Saulo Ribeiro Annual Association Tournament and was awarded a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt from Saulo Ribeiro, a truly monumental achievement as he became the first, and only Canadian-born Saulo Ribeiro Black Belt.

Most recently, Dean also became a IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) certified referee after completing the course given by the head referee from IBJJF and 4th degree Black Belt Prof. Alvaro Mansor.