Head instructor/Owner of Impact MMA

Kru Mike is a passionate and highly experienced martial arts instructor with over 15 years in Muay Thai. He began his training in 2009 and has remained deeply committed to the art ever since, making annual trips to Thailand to refine his skills and bring world-class techniques back to his students.

Since 2009, Kru Mike has been teaching kids classes and started leading adult classes in 2011. As a competitor, he made his amateur debut in 2009, winning his first fight and earning Fight of the Night honors. He holds a 6-2 Muay Thai record (9 amateur fights with 3 knockouts) and a 1-0 MMA record. In 2013, he captured the Warriors Cup Amateur Title with a powerful 30-second knockout. Kru Mike has successfully trained multiple amateur champions.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kru Mike has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu consistently since 2019. In 2021, he joined Team Cabeça under Professor Fernando “Cabeça” Sarmento Jr. — a 6th degree black belt, Brazilian State & National Champion, and 2005 NAGA Instructor of the Year. He is a brown belt under Professor Sarmento.

In 2017, Kru Mike acquired Impact Martial Arts Academy in Wall, NJ, where he serves as Head Instructor.

His mission is to create a welcoming, supportive atmosphere where students of all ages and levels feel like they truly belong — a genuine home for personal growth, confidence, and community.

Specialties:

• Muay Thai (Striking, Clinch & Strategy)

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Brown Belt)

• Strength & Conditioning

• Self-Defense

• Team Building

• Off-Season Training & Fighter Development

Jiu-Jitsu Coach / Muay Thai Instructor / Co- Owner of Impact MMA

Coach Eddie is a dedicated martial artist with over 15 years of training across multiple disciplines. He began his journey in 2008 under Master Jose DeLeon (Satori Academy, formerly of Art Beins Karate). A few years later, he discovered Muay Thai at Impact Muay Thai and has trained consistently ever since.

In 2011, Eddie joined Team Fusion at Tony Silva’s Fusion Martial Arts in Jackson, NJ, where his passion for grappling flourished. After competing in his first NAGA tournament, he took his Jiu-Jitsu training to the next level. He has competed and placed in numerous Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and has attended multiple intensive “Brazil Summer Camp” trainings in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil — camps set up and hosted by Professor Fernando “Cabeça” Sarmento Jr. Since 2021, Eddie has trained directly under Professor Sarmento, a 6th degree black belt, Brazilian State & National Champion, and 2005 NAGA Instructor of the Year. Eddie is a proud 3-stripe brown belt who considers himself “always a student.”

Eddie has helped coach and prepare numerous fighters for Muay Thai, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu competitions. In 2018, he partnered with Kru Mike and currently serves as the Program & Marketing Director at Impact Martial Arts. He coaches the beginner Jiu-Jitsu program and works as an Associate Muay Thai instructor. Eddie continues training under Kru Mike Giannone, Professor Fernando “Cabeça” Sarmento Jr., Master Jose DeLeon, and Coach Shamus Hodnet.

Specialties:

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (3-Stripe Brown Belt)

• Muay Thai

• Fighter Preparation & Competition Coaching

• Beginner Jiu-Jitsu Instruction

• Program Development & Marketing

Head Jiu-Jitsu Coach/ 6th degree black belt

Professor Fernando “Cabeça” Sarmento is a highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor with nearly four decades of experience. He began his training in 1987 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. In 1990, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he trained at some of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo schools.

In 1997, Professor Sarmento relocated to the United States and taught at the Machado Academy under the guidance of Rigan Machado. He received his brown belt in 1998 from Nilton Ferreira and was awarded his black belt in November 2001. He is now a 6th degree black belt. A Brazilian State and National Champion, he was also named the 2005 NAGA Instructor of the Year. Professor Sarmento continues to train and teach under the lineage of Nilton Ferreira’s Academy in Salvador, Brazil.

He splits his time between the United States and Europe — teaching at Impact Martial Arts for half the year while instructing in Germany and Belgium the other half. He also regularly conducts seminars in France.

Specialties:

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• Competition Preparation

• Advanced Technique & Strategy

• Traditional & Modern Jiu-Jitsu Integration

Professor Sarmento brings world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction, championship experience, and a lifelong passion for the art to every class, helping students develop strong fundamentals and a deep understanding of the gentle art.