Instructors
Our instructors share a deep and genuine passion for teaching jiu jitsu and are committed to helping students achieve their greatest potential.
Dr. Jeff Nishii
Head Instructor
Kids and Adults Programs
Sensei Jeff has over 18 years of jiu jitsu experience and is a 2nd degree black belt under Professor Joao Silva and Master Aloisio Silva. As the leader of Revolution, he focuses on cultivating a welcoming, positive, and challenging training environment where students can work together to achieve common goals. With regards to children, Sensei Jeff has a long list of experience working with children of all backgrounds. An experienced instructor for kids and adults, he's been teaching jiu jitsu for nearly 20 years. Sensei Jeff is also an experienced competitor who has won gold at local, national, and world level competitions. He continues to compete in order to challenge himself and provide an example for his students. Outside of jiu jitsu, Sensei Jeff is a clinical psychologist and utilizes this background to help students work toward their greatest potential. In his free time, Sensei Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, gardening, surfing, and learning more jiu jitsu.
Tyler Smith
Assistant Instructor, Adults Program
Tyler began his Martial Arts journey in 2005 in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). Aside from attending the required training, Tyler would find time to grapple with fellow Marines in their off time and was made an assistant MCMAP instructor at 4th LAR Battalion at Camp Pendleton, CA.
In 2008, Tyler started boxing with the Police Activities League in Santa Monica and would regularly cross train in grappling with other people in the program. It was there that he started to think about Mixed Martial Arts. In 2009 Tyler was invited to train at PTC Los Angeles, now Revolution Martial Arts, and he fell in love with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. After a Tyler received his blue belt from Professor Oscar “Japa” Neves he began training full time MMA at Team Sparta, while still attending Gi classes at PTC.
In 2011, Tyler had a brief layoff due to injuries and made his return to Revolution in January of 2013. Since then Tyler has competed and medaled in multiple BJJ tournaments. Tyler’s favorite aspect of Jiu Jitsu has been teaching. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the mat and is always eager to share as much as he can with students. When not training, Tyler loves spending time camping, fishing, off-roading and enjoying the art of archery.
Samuel Fagan
Assistant Instructor, Kids Program
Samuel Fagan is an assistant instructor at Revolution Martial Arts. He began his jiu jitsu journey in 2016 and has developed into an integral part of our thriving kids program. He found Revolution one day while driving home. "The sense of camaraderie and family is what kept bringing me back. Being able to teach in the Little Warriors and Juniors program, not only brings me joy, but also pairs well with the development in my own jiu-jitsu. My goal is to pass along my knowledge to kids and people of all ages."