Meet Our Instructors Learn From The Best
Jimmy Starling Mendoza Aguilar
Founder & BJJ Instructor
Jimmy Starling Mendoza Aguilar is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt with over 15 years of martial arts experience. His journey began in 2009 at Dragon Studios Nicaragua, where he trained Kung Fu and competed in national and international tournaments across karate, kickboxing, taekwondo, and Kung Fu. In 2015, he started practicing MMA with Xtreme Kombat Nicaragua and discovered his passion for grappling arts. Under the guidance of Professor Rodrigo Luiz Dos Santos (Team Bixao), Jimmy earned his purple belt and developed deep expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. On January 15, 2024, he founded Starling MMA to share his knowledge and build a world-class martial arts academy in Nicaragua. Jimmy is certified by CONAMMIP, the Nicaraguan Muay Thai Federation, the Nicaraguan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, and Kombat Taekwondo International.
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Our Expert Team
Experienced instructors dedicated to helping you achieve your martial arts goals
Jefferson Zapata
MMA Instructor
Jefferson Zapata has over 12 years of experience in martial arts, with training in wrestling, boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, and MMA. He was a member of the National MMA Team for two consecutive years. He is an amateur champion in MMA and kickboxing, a professional MMA fighter, and an amateur boxer. Internationally, he was a world vice-champion in Striker MMA (Indonesia) and a Pan-American vice-champion in the same modality. His teaching approach is based on discipline, respect, and the comprehensive development of the student.
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Franklin Castillo
Judo Coach
Franklin Castillo is a Judo instructor with 17 years of experience, committed to the comprehensive training of children and pre-teens through sport and its values. Certified by the International Judo Federation, his methodology uses Judo as an extracurricular educational alternative, fostering discipline, respect, self-control, and confidence in every student. As a physical trainer, he adapts sessions to each developmental stage, ensuring the health and progress of his students.
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