Stephen Whittier - Nexus Chief Instructor

Along with being a professional educator, he has pursued his passion for the martial arts for nearly two decades. In addition to holding a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the title Kru (honorific title for teacher) in Muay Thai, his background includes black belts in karate and Filipino Kali/Eskrima, instructor certifications in Jeet Kune Do, and personal fitness training experience. He has also trained local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel.

Coach Whittier’s depth of expertise has come as a result of continued research and inquiry into the most efficient, functional approaches to martial arts. This evolution led him from studying more traditional arts to training in and teaching “mixed martial arts” – long before the term MMA became well known and the activity became a popular sport. This journey traversed the “all ranges” approach of Jeet Kune Do and alive striking arts like Muay Thai and boxing to training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Vale Tudo (the Brazilian predecessor of modern mixed martial arts).

Instructor / Trainer Experience
While teaching kickboxing and Jeet Kune Do at the American Martial Arts Center, Whittier formally began his journey learning the beautiful and highly effective art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Training at Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy under Roberto Maia, he eventually assisted teaching classes, including assistant instructor (along with competition team captain, John Frankl) of the Vale Tudo program. For years, Whittier was also a close training partner of elite BJJ competitor and UFC Lightweight Contender, Kenny Florian, and played an active role in preparing Kenny for many of UFC fights.

In addition, he has trained directly under Kru Mark DellaGrotte of the famed Sityodtong Muay Thai / MMA academy since early 2003, and is Southern Massachusetts’ most senior trainer in Muay Thai. As part of his regular work with Kru Mark the Sityodtong team, he has served as a sparring partner for numerous professional mixed martial arts competitors, including Stephan Bonnar, Patrick Cote, Tim Boetsch, Rory Singer, and Sam Hogar.

Along with teaching at Nexus, Coach Whittier has worked as a trainer for a number of professional athletes as well, including his student, Brazilian Hairdar Superfight Champion, Cesar Barros; Former Elite XC Middleweight Champ, Murilo “Ninja” Rua, whom he coached leading up to Ninja’s dominant win over Tony Bonnello in 2008; and recently, UFC vet Spencer Fisher (serving as Spencer’s BJJ coach during his training camp at Sityodtong). Barros has also represented Nexus as a trainer for World Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (in Shogun’s first match with Lyoto Machida in 2009), BJJ Champion & MMA competitor Roderigo Damm, and others.

National Reputation, Local Focus
Currently, Whittier is one of only a select number of Coaches with top martial arts coaching organization, SBG International, and in 2006 became SBGI’s East Coast Regional Director. Along with teaching and managing Nexus full-time, he continues to train and network via his associations with other instructors in SBGI, Sityodtong, the Northeast BJJ Association, and Kevin Kearns (elite fitness trainer and founder of the Burn With Kearns core fitness & mma conditioning program).

Coach Whittier has conducted seminars across the country, from New Hampshire to Oregon, has been featured in several instructional video series, and is a regular technical training contributor for Ultimate MMA, a leading industry publication.

Locally, he focuses on the continued development of Nexus Martial Arts & Fitness as a positive force within the community. In addition to working with area schools developing anti-bullying programs and after school programs, Nexus is involved with various scholarship and fundraising programs. Whittier has also worked with local and state law enforcement in field specific self-defense and defensive tactics.

Matt Borges – Instructor

Matt Borges holds a black belt in Kenpo karate, a three-stripe blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is an instructor in Muay Thai kickboxing. He is also the lead youth instructor at Nexus. An experienced childhood educator, Matt’s background includes 6 years as a professional pre-school teacher.

Cesar Barros – Instructor, Competition Team Captain

An experienced and highly regarded competitor, Cesar was a champion in Shotokan Karate in his youth before shifting his focus to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts and Muay Thai.

Jon Madeira – Apprentice Instructor

A member of the Nexus apprentice instructor program, Jon assists as an instructor for youth programs as well as for adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.

Jeff Perez – Wrestling Coach

A two tour Marine Corps Iraq veteran, Jeff is an exceptional wrestling coach with a great eye for detail and talent for breaking down and properly training wrestling technique. He also holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.