Professor Tony Debelak

Tony began his journey in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in November 1993 after watching Royce Gracie in UFC 1 defeat all opponents in various fighting disciplines using only Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Witnessing the results, Tony began training with his dad and fellow wrestlers in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. When he was not in wrestling season during high school and college, he was learning Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Coach Ethan Debelak

Ethan has been doing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu since he was born. He excelled through the children’s program learning the Gracie games in the Gracie Bully Proof program and the Junior Combatives program. By the time Ethan turned 14 he achieved his Green Belt and passed the Adult Gracie Combatives test. He has been working his way through all the Gracie University stripe courses as they have been released with his father, Head Instructor Tony Debelak.

Coach Tanya Debelak

Tanya is our Women Empowered Head Instructor. She works alongside Professor Tony to Empower Ladies and has helped multiple ladies achieve their Pink Belt in this program. Although Women Empowered is her specialty, she has continued to progress in her Jiu-Jitsu journey and is now a Purple Belt. She has also works closely with our Bullyproof kids, assists Combatives/Master Cycle classes, and manages all of the Administrative Operations for Gracie Jiu Jitsu Colorado.

Coach Cora Howell

Cora became interested in the women’s self-defense program and empowering other women through Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Though she has two years of experience in karate, she wanted to be able to defend herself from someone that is larger and stronger. Cora is focused on self-defense first and empowering others. 

Coach Lucinda Franze

Lucinda Franze is one of our Women Empowered Instructors who work alongside Professor Tony and Coach Tanya, empowering and guiding women on their self-defense journey. Her passion is teaching Jiu- Jitsu to women and children. She is also a Blue Belt and a Master Cycle student. Her devotion to teaching Jiu-Jitsu is unmistakable in her dedication to assisting her children and fellow GJJA students in achieving their training and self-defense goals.

Coach Tyler Smith

Tyler started learning Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Jacksonville in 2017. He started taking jiu-jitsu while being a physics professor for a private college looking for a way to stay active, learn something new, and socialize. In 2022, Tyler moved to Aurora Colorado for work and started training at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Aurora and eventually working towards becoming a certified jiu-jitsu instructor.

Coach Don Penny

Don began his martial arts journey in 1989, he holds the rank of 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo, 1st degree in Aikido, and 1st degree in Okinawan Kobudo. He has practiced Jiu Jitsu off/on for several years, but until now, with Gracie Combatives and Gracie Certified Training Centers had not found a good fit. Don says, “I am so encouraged by the ultra-high standards, format, structure, and attention to detail!"

Coach Francis Hauris

Francis started his martial arts journey more than 20 years ago and holds Black Belts in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and in Taekwondo as well as experience in American Goju Ryu Karate. Francis received his Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instruction under Tony Debelak at GJJ Aurora starting in 2018. Upon moving to the Denver area from Virginia, Francis discovered the camaraderie, structured curriculum, and quality of instruction that makes Gracie Jiu-Jitsu such a great system to train in. 

Coach Theo Williams

Theo Williams started a Gracie Garage in 2016 and learned Gracie Combatives® from the DVDs with the other members of his garage. Theo earned his Combatives Belt at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Louisville from GJJ Black Belt Professor Allan Manganello in 2018, became a Gracie University Certified Instructor in 2018, and received his Blue Belt in 2019. 

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