About Nick Moghaddam
Nick “The Mercenary” Moghaddam is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Valor Fighting, Gladiator Challenge, California Xtreme Fighting, Lords of Combat, and Orange County MMA Championships. He currently fights for Bellator MMA.
Prior to competing in MMA, Nick experienced a successful football career at Newport Harbor High and earned a full Division I athletic scholarship to East Carolina University. After earning his degree, Nick still had the desire to compete in athletics and discovered Jiu-Jitsu through Allan Goes. He has been competing and teaching Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts ever since.
Currently Moghaddam slates a 6win, 4 loss, and 1 draw record in mixed martial arts and has earned numerous championship wins in the most prestigious Jiu-Jitsu tournaments including a third place in Worlds in 2007 and is a two-time Pan American medalist. Nick is thrilled to share his knowledge with the Carlson-Grace BJJ Club and help others to find confidence and direction in their lives through Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts.
About Alexandre Molinaro
Alexandre Molinaro has gained notoriety in the sporting facet of BJJ while competing on the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) circuit, where he conquered numerous tournaments and is currently a topped ranked Black Belt In The World Pound For Pound IBJJF Rankings.
At the age of 13, Alexandre finally found something he enjoyed – jiu-jitsu. The main reason for this enthusiasm was that BJJ was similar to judo (which he had practiced) but lacked the physicality of the Japanese art of throwing. Instead of having to be athletic to play the game, Molinaro believed he could just as easily sit back and play guard, something that appealed a great deal to the young Rio de Janeiro native.
The famous Vinicius Aieta (Vini) of Gracie Tijuca Academy, was Molinaro’s first instructor and the man who conducted Alexandre from white to purple belt, quickly becoming one of Brazil’s rising stars under the prestigious coach’s leadership.
By the end of 2015, Molinaro traveled to the United States to compete at the IBJJF No-Gi Pan. Since relocating to US, Alexandre met Carlson Gracie of Anaheim coach, Nick Moghaddam; and during the pandemic he made the big move from CG headquarters in Chicago to So Cal. Nick was most impressed by Molinaro and invited him to be part of his club. We are excited to share his experience with our students.