AMERICAN ELITE
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Meet our Coaching Staff
Owner and Head Instructor
-TJ TOMLIN-
TJ Tomlin, a 2nd degree Black Belt, founded the gym in 2008 in order to continue training and instructing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. His relaxed teaching style has created a close family amongst his students. TJ takes pride in watching his students improve as well as watch them compete. TJ has been training in martial arts more than 15 years with the majority of the experience in BJJ but he has a vast knowledge set in both Muay Thai and Self Defense training. TJ was a multi-sport athlete in high school that carried him to his college sports career in football and baseball. When he isn't training at the gym he is spending time with his wife and three kids.
David McCrary is a Black Belt and primarily instructs the over 40 BJJ class. David's classes are very similar to private lessons as he has a singular focus with each student as he is coaching. He pushes his students to focus on the accuracy and timing of each movement. His love of the sport began in grade school where he began as a wrestler until he finished high school.
Black Belt
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor
-David McCrary-
Matt’s combat sport history dates back to his childhood. He was a competitive wrestler in his youth and won 4! Oklahoma state wrestling titles in high school. He then went on to wrestle at the University of Oklahoma while completing a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Matt began his MMA career shortly after college. During his successful MMA career he amassed 15 wins and 5 losses, and fought in 7 UFC events between 2007 and 2013. Due to his exciting fighting style, he won “Fight of the Night” honors on two separate occasions. While competing as a professional MMA fighter, Matt also attended the Oklahoma City Police Department Academy and is currently an officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department. He is married to his wife Caroline and they have two daughters, Harper and Finley.
MMA Head Coach
-Matt Grice-
JR’s combat sport history goes back to when he was 12 years old. He was a very competitive and dedicated wrestler all through school. After high school he then went on to pursue his career in MMA fighting. He began his fighting career at 19 years old training with Matt Grice, where he compiled an amateur record of 4-1 and a professional record of 6-2. JR is a Dana White’s Contender Series veteran, LFA vet, had boxing and kickboxing fights and won a local professional Featherweight championship before a neck injury played into him deciding to step down from fighting and focus on coaching fighters. After retiring from fighting he has coached Little League wrestling in McLoud. JR loves all types of training and continues to work on his health, fitness, and knowledge of MMA daily. He is married to his wife Shae Coughran.
MMA Assistant Coach
-JR Coughlan-
Landon Moore is an experienced black belt in BJJ. He instructs the No Gi and Gi classes. His coaching style is technical with great explanation for both new and advanced students. He has been very instrumental in the BJJ classes at American Elite and continues to provide high level training in each class he is involved with. Landon also has experience in Muay Thai as well as MMA.
Black Belt
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Instructor
-Landon Moore-
Striking Coach
-Manuel Muro-
Manuel Muro is currently 3-0 in the Bellator promotion with an overall professional record standing at 12-6. Manny is a Legacy vet and has won multiple amateur and professional titles in Oklahoma. He starting training mma in 2010 and immediately fell in love with the sport. Manny has trained under some of the best coaches in martial arts such as Matt Grice, Harry St. Leger, Brandon Gibson, Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn. He has trained at world renowned Jacksonwink MMA for over 5 years. Manny brings a high level of knowledge and experience into his coaching style.
Manny is married to his wife Courtney and together they have 3 daughters, Mila, Harper, and Shiloh. He also is a youth leader at his home church Grace Fellowship and owns a barbershop in his hometown of Anadarko. Manny has always wanted to use martial arts to share his faith in Christ and to be a positive role model for youth.
