"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." - African Proverb
New Jersey Instructors
Professor Diego Guadalupe
Owner & Head Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Diego Guadalupe was born and raised in Union City, NJ. Following his brother’s footsteps, he joined Fu Jow Pai (Tiger Claw System) Kung Fu under Sifu Paul Vizzio. He enjoyed the Kickboxing program most, but felt his training was incomplete. After being introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2010, Diego found his passion. He began training soon enough and knew from the first class that this art catered to his need for self-defense, physical fitness, and technique.
Since then, he has trained with various instructors from Maryland, Chicago, California, and Saudi Arabia. He is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Professor Adem Redzovic. Diego is also a certified Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Specialist (MMACS) with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Professor Diego holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Montclair University and is an entrepreneur who has dedicated his life to teaching and advocating the growth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Northern New Jersey area.
professor Omar Delgado
Head Jiu JItsu Instructor
Professor Omar Delgado is originally from the Bronx, NY. He has been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since September 2011. Omar currently holds the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt under Professor Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro. A well-rounded martial artist, Omar has trained in several other arts but believes that Jiu Jitsu is the art he is most passionate about. He is an active competitor, a multiple-time IBJJF Open Champion, Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro Champion, and a certified Black Belt with the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). In addition to Jiu-Jitsu, Omar also trains Muay Thai under Kru Aaron Fisher.
Professionally, Omar is a Director of Operations for a global marketing and business communications company.
Fred Rosser
Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Coach Fred Rosser, a native of the Bronx, NY, is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt and serves as the Fundamentals Coach at Rollstar Hackensack. A lifelong martial artist, Fred has trained in several disciplines throughout his journey, including Karate, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Krav Maga, Sambo, Kali, and Judo. His diverse martial arts background has helped shape his approach to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where he currently trains under Professor Diego.
An important influence on Fred’s martial arts journey was his training under 4th-Degree USA Goju System Black Belt Sensei Joe Ansah, where he adopted the philosophy of “Shin Ri Tan Kyu,” or “seeking the truth.” This philosophy emphasizes developing effective responses rooted in an individual’s physical and mental qualities and continues to influence Fred’s approach to Jiu Jitsu and teaching. As Rollstar Hackensack’s Fundamentals Coach, Fred is passionate about helping students build a strong technical foundation while developing confidence, discipline, and a mindset of continuous growth.
Professor Erick Ramirez
Nogi Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Professor Erick Ramirez is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Professor Sean Yadimarco with more than 13 years of training experience. An active competitor throughout his Jiu Jitsu journey, Professor Erick trains and competes in both Gi and No-Gi and has been teaching since earning his Blue Belt.
At Rollstar Hackensack, Professor Erick leads the Saturday evening Nogi session and is passionate about helping his students and training partners reach their full potential. He believes that by helping those around him improve, they ultimately push him to continue growing and becoming a better martial artist as well. Outside of Jiu Jitsu, Professor Erick is a General Contractor and owns a home improvement company specializing in full-home renovations.
John Carlos “Jromes” Romero
Nogi Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Bio coming soon.
maryland Instructors
professor Hernán Guadalupe
Academy Owner & Head Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Dr. Hernán Guadalupe is a 1st-Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt and Head Instructor of Rollstar Maryland. He began training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after relocating to Maryland in 2009 and was awarded his Black Belt in 2020 by 4th-Degree Black Belt and IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, Professor Ataide Rafael. A competitor for more than 15 years, Dr. Hernán continues to actively compete and is a multiple-time IBJJF medalist in both Gi and No-Gi competition. He is a certified International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Black Belt (No. 145824) and has extensive experience teaching, coaching, and developing Jiu Jitsu practitioners of all ages and experience levels.
Dr. Hernán’s martial arts journey began at eight years old under 17X World Kickboxing Champion Sifu Paul Vizzio and spans several disciplines, including American Kickboxing, Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Budokon, and Tang Soo Do, in which he holds a 2nd-Degree Black Belt. He is also a certified Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Specialist (MMACS) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Professionally, Dr. Hernán is a Project Manager and holds a Master’s in Engineering and a Doctorate in Business Administration.
Professor Manuel Farfán Arias
Head Jiu Jitsu & Competition Instructor
Professor Manuel Farfán Arias is a native of Lima, Peru, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Professor Gonzalo Otero, and a representative of Movement Art. An active competitor, he has previously ranked among the top 10 in the world in Gi Light Featherweight and No-Gi Featherweight under the IBJJF. His competitive accomplishments include multiple IBJJF Open Championships, Abu Dhabi Jiu Jitsu Pro medals, and appearances at the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC) and Fight to Win.
As Rollstar Maryland’s Head Jiu Jitsu & Competition Instructor, Professor Manuel plays a central role in the development of the academy’s adult Jiu Jitsu and competition programs. He combines his extensive competition experience with an educational background in kinesiology and exercise science to maximize learning, performance, and technical development. Professor Manuel is also a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and actively teaches and coaches competitors both locally and internationally.
Professor Mike Yang
Jiu Jitsu Instructor & Open Mat Lead
Professor Mike Yang is a 1st-Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Professors Ataide Rafael and Denilson Pimenta and has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for more than a decade. An accomplished competitor, Professor Mike is a multiple-time IBJJF Open Champion and continues to actively train and develop his Jiu Jitsu. His martial arts background also includes Tae Kwon Do, in which he holds the rank of Black Belt.
Professor Mike is a regular presence on the mats at Rollstar Maryland, assisting with the Fundamentals program and leading the Sunday Open Mat session. As an instructor, he emphasizes technical development and a strong understanding of Jiu Jitsu fundamentals, bringing his years of training and competition experience to help students continue developing their skills.
Professor Kym Sturdivant
Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Dr. Kym Sturdivant, a native of Springfield, MA, is a 2nd-Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Professor Andre Monteiro of A-Force BJJ and has been training for more than 16 years. An accomplished competitor, Dr. Kym was previously ranked No. 1 in the world in his division as both a Blue and Purple Belt. His accomplishments include medals at the IBJJF Masters World, Pan-American, and No-Gi Pan-American Championships, as well as championship titles at the IBJJF American Nationals and other national and international competitions.
As a Rollstar Jiu Jitsu coach, Dr. Kym plays an important role in extending the academy’s Jiu Jitsu program beyond its main location, primarily leading instruction at Rollstar’s satellite program at Aqabah Karate. He also serves as an ambassador for Tap Cancer Out, a nonprofit organization supporting cancer research. Professionally, Dr. Kym holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and is an educator currently serving as Principal of Bard Early College High School DC in Washington, DC.
Professor Jamal Pender
Jiu Jitsu & Muay Thai Instructor
Professor Jamal Pender is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a lifelong martial artist with over 40 years of experience.
He has also obtained Black Belts in several arts, including Budokon, Korean Tang Soo Do (6th-Degree Senior Master Rank), Karate, and Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Professor Jamal is also a certified Muay Thai Kru under Ajarn Buck Grant, a Judo Brown Belt, and a certified yoga, health, fitness, and movement coach.
He holds a bachelor’s from the University of Phoenix and is an organizing director for local unions.
Professor Muhib Rahman
Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Professor Muhib Rahman is the founder, program head, and lead instructor at Aqabah Karate in College Park, MD. With over 30 years of martial arts experience, he oversees the Rollstar satellite program at Aqabah Karate and leads boys’ and men’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He holds a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a 4th-degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do, and a Blue Belt in Budokon.
A lifelong martial artist, Professor Muhib brings deep passion and purpose to his teaching, helping students grow in skill, discipline, and character. He is a dedicated husband and father of five, all of whom train in martial arts, making it truly a family way of life.
Darnell Davis
Jiu Jitsu & Muay Thai Fundamentals Coach
Coach Darnell Davis is a three-stripe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt and certified Muay Thai Personal Trainer. He serves as a Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals Coach and Assistant Muay Thai Coach at Rollstar Maryland. Since beginning his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2012, he has trained with several respected instructors, including Professor Diogo Primo through AKXE BJJ, Professor Rafael Lang at Octagon MMA, and other notable instructors. A significant influence on his development was the late Professor Octavio “Ratinho” Couto, whose emphasis on technical understanding and creativity continues to shape Darnell’s approach to Jiu Jitsu.
Outside of martial arts, Darnell is a U.S. Army veteran and doctoral candidate in Biology at Howard University. He holds a Master of Public Health and has professional experience in scientific research, public health, education, and mentorship. As a coach, he draws from these experiences and more than a decade of martial arts training to help students build strong fundamentals, confidence, and a deeper understanding of Jiu Jitsu.
Nafiz “Fiz” Mohammad
Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals Coach
Coach Nafiz Mohammad began his martial arts journey as a child, training in Aiki-Jiu-Jitsu under the guidance of Sensei Ali Shabazz. In 2012, he started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Hernán. Although the first several years of balancing school and career took a toll on training, Nafiz rejoined Rollstar in 2022, energetic and committed to learning and training the art. He is currently a Purple Belt. Nafiz’s enthusiasm and determination led him to represent the academy in several local competitions, including earning a 2023 PBJJF Pan-American silver medal at the Blue Belt level.
Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, Nafiz is a project manager and Agile professional. He enjoys lifting weights, playing video games, and spending quality time with friends and family. Coach Nafiz leads our weekly introductory classes and is dedicated to helping students begin their Jiu-Jitsu journey.
Aleks Jaunzemis
Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals Coach
Coach Aleks Jaunzemis has trained in martial arts since he was 13. In 2020, he started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and immediately fell in love with the art. He is currently a Blue Belt. A student of traditional Kung-Fu, Muay Thai, Judo, and a former wrestler in high school, Aleks’s love for martial arts translates directly into his drive to get the best out of himself and his teammates. He currently leads the Wrestling Fundamentals class at Rollstar.
Aleks is a former Baltimore City high school teacher who works for a nonprofit educational scholarship organization. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences from Towson University and a Master's in Literacy/Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. He also enjoys hiking, competing in fighting game tournaments, and caring for his pet parrot.
bay toopet
Muay Thai Fundamentals Coach
Coach Bay Toopet began his martial arts journey as a child, starting with Tae Kwon Do and Wushu before discovering boxing under Coach Eugene Hughes at Midtown Academy, a renowned institution known for coaching champions like Sugar Ray Leonard. A family trip to Thailand introduced him to Muay Thai, where a month of training sparked a passion that carried back home and has now grown for nearly 20 years. Over time, Bay has continued to refine his craft by expanding into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, Judo, and weapons-based martial arts, always driven by a love of technique and fundamentals, and by the pursuit of new styles.
Outside of training, Bay works as a Systems Engineer, coaches youth basketball, and supports his family’s halal Thai restaurant business. He enjoys spending time with friends and family and sharing his passion for martial arts with others. Coach Bay is excited to bring his technical Muay Thai style to Rollstar and help students of all levels grow in their martial arts journey.
Fadlullah Firman
Judo Coach
Sensei Fadlullah Firman is a Shodan (1st-Degree) Black Belt in Judo, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt, and serves as the Judo Instructor at Rollstar Maryland. Born in Oklahoma City, OK, Fadlullah spent much of his childhood between Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United States before eventually relocating to Maryland after graduating from the University of Kansas.
Fadlullah began his martial arts journey training Korean Tang Soo Do at Aqabah Karate under Sah Bo Nim Muhib Rahman. In 2009, he began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Hernán Guadalupe at Rollstar Jiu Jitsu Academy, where he continues to train today. In 2022, Fadlullah expanded his martial arts journey into Kodokan Judo, training under Sensei Jesse Ingram, Sensei Damani Ingram, and Sensei Changa Ingram at Columbia Combat Club, where he earned his Judo Black Belt. As Rollstar’s Judo Instructor, Fadlullah brings his experience in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to help students develop strong fundamentals in throwing, grappling, and overall technical development.
Visiting instructors
Professor Adem Redzovic
Visiting Instructor
Professor Adem Redzovic is a 4th-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under the legendary Gracie family and is the founder of the Downtown Jiu-Jitsu Club in Chicago, IL. One of the first American Black Belts under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. in Chicago, Adem is recognized for his technical expertise and dedication to teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to students of all levels, with a focus on self-defense, fitness, and personal growth.
Known for fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, Adem emphasizes the mental and philosophical aspects of the Gentle Art. His academy is highly respected in the Midwest, and he regularly hosts seminars and workshops to share his knowledge and passion for the art.
Professor Luis “AP” Gil
Visiting Instructor
Professor Luis “AP” Gil is originally from Manhattan, NY, and is a lifelong martial artist. Professor Luis holds ranks in several arts, including a 3rd-Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, an ITF Taekwondo 4th-Degree Black Belt, and a WTF Taekwondo 1st-Degree Black Belt. He is also a Muay Thai practitioner.
Luis is also an accomplished competitor, having won several major BJJ competitions. His accolades include IBJJF No-Gi Pan-American Champion, IBJJF Europeans Champion, IBJJF British National Champion, and multiple-time IBJJF Open Champion. Professor Luis is also a certified Black Belt with the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).
Professor ataide rafael
Visiting Instructor
Professor Ataide Rafael is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is a 4th-Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, GFT Hall of Fame member, and the Founder and Head Instructor of Arte BJJ in Conway, Arkansas. A highly respected competitor and instructor, Professor Ataide has spent decades training, competing, and sharing his Jiu Jitsu with students around the world. He is also the professor and longtime mentor of Rollstar Maryland Head Instructor Dr. Hernán Guadalupe and remains an important part of Rollstar’s Jiu Jitsu lineage.
Professor Ataide has competed extensively at the Black Belt level, with accomplishments that include becoming an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Champion, and multiple-time IBJJF Open Champion. His combination of high-level competition experience, technical knowledge, and years of teaching makes him a valued visiting instructor and mentor to the Rollstar community.