Our Instructors
Professor Diego “THE PERUVIAN PYTHON'“ Pichilingue
Diego is a Professional Mixed Martial Artist who as over 16 years of training under his belt. He has fought MMA in promotions such as Legacy and Freestyle Cage Fighting. He competed in BJJ in such promotions as IBJJF, Fight 2 Win, Who’s Number One, and the US Grappling Qualifier in 2023. He started his martial arts journey in 2009 by way of Lima, Peru and began training to learn how to defend himself due to bullying when he was younger.
Diego continues to train and teach to show his students the same thing that helped him in life. How to overcome adversities, bullying, and becoming a better person.
OWNER - HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Stephanie“MAMBA” Pichilingue
OWNER - ADULTS/KIDS/WOMEN INSTRUCTOR
Stephanie is a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu and has been training for over 10 years. She competed in MMA back in 2015, where she fought as an Ammy. She has been on such platforms as Rage in the Cage, FCF, Fight 2 Win, ADCC, and AGF. She has completed training refereeing and working in many jiu jitsu tournaments/organizations. She is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, where she was taught hand to hand combat. She created a women’s and girls’ only program called Forever A Fighter Jiu Jitsu, this was to bring the women’s/girls’ community together and learn realistic one on one training for women, by women. She always plans to bring weapons training, hand to hand realistic seminars and events nationwide. Protecting our youth, women, and veterans has always been her passion.
Professor Bart Van Pool
ADULTS/KIDS INSTRUCTOR
Bart VanPool has been training BJJ for over 10 years. He is an avid competitor and has been competing consistently since the beginning of his training back in 2016. He has competed for promotions like American Grappling Federation, FCF, and Roll in the Cage. He holds the rank of Black Belt.
Bart originally got into martial arts as a form of exercise but became hooked after finding out about the mental benefits as well. His major was education, so he loves the feeling of helping people learn and grasp new concepts when it comes to teaching.
“I continue to train for myself mentally and physically, but I also do it because I love the community of amazing people you get to encounter. In addition to that, there’s nothing more satisfying to me than when I get to help people better themselves on and off of the mats.”
ADULT/KIDS MMA/WRESTLING INSTRUCTOR
Cottrell is a local legend in the MMA community. He has been a lifelong martial artist and competitor in various single person sports since he was a child. He started his way in the world of wrestling in middle school. JC was a walk on at UCO and did not do the things that were necessary to make him eligible to step on the mat so he transitioned into the world of MMA and never looked back. With 15 years of MMA/ BJJ and 15+ years of wrestling under his belt he went on to fight for Legacy, Bellator, and then eventually made his debut in the UFC.
He is now a family man that enjoys helping teach his kids, other up and coming children, at the gym to become the best versions of themselves. You can find JC competing regularly in local tournaments in BJJ and he holds the rank of Black Belt.
“I continue to train because it is my therapy and without it, I don’t feel like myself.” - SuperStar
JC “SUPER STAR” Cottrell
Angela “THE TARANTULA” Trotter
KIDS/WOMEN INSTRUCTOR
Angela started jiu jitsu in 2016, over 9 years of experience in jiu jitsu and wrestling. She holds the rank of brown belt in Brazilian Jiu JItsu. She has competed for American Grappling Federation, Grappling Industries, Submission Only, Rage in the Cage, Roll in the Cage, and more. She is a highly awarded grappler and amazing coach to our kid’s class.
Angela is a warrior and teaches not only our students, but her 5 amazing children. Her husband, Jeremiah Trotter is a professional MMA and Boxing coach/fighter. We are blessed to have them on our team. Both of their journeys are a testament to strength, honor, and commitment. It has completely changed their lives, and they share that with their students and familia.
Jeff Brazell
MORNING CLASS INSTRUCTOR
Jeff Brazell is a morning coach whose martial arts journey started with tae kwon do in the mid 80’s earning his 2nd degree black belt in 2000. He ran his own tae kwon gym from 2000-2005 in Amarillo then work required him to move to the Oklahoma City area. In 2008 he began training MMA and nogi grappling and won second place in the first OKC NAGA tournament in 2012. In 2017 he shifted his focus to jiujitsu both Gi and Nogi. As a coach his goal is helping people realize their full potential on and off the mats.
Python Martial Arts OKC is under 4th Degree Black Belt, Professor Piet WIlhelm of Triton Fight Center in Tulsa, OK. Honor. Courage. Commitment. Semper Fi!
