.png)
BJJ Instructors
Gold Team Founder Professor Jorge "Macaco" Patino,
5th Degree Black belt
Jorge "Macaco" Patino is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 1995, Patino has formerly competed in the UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, Legacy FC, Jungle Fight, Pancrase, World Series of Fighting, Cage Rage, and Titan FC.
​
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Waldomiro Perez > Jorge Patino
​
Main Achievements (BJJ):
-
Pan American Champion (2000, 2001)
-
Pan American Silver Medallist (1997 brown belt)
-
Brazilian National Bronze Medallist (2000)
​
Professor James Markle
Head Coach
2nd Degree Black Belt
Originally from Millstadt, IL . James is a lifelong martial artist (TKD, Judo, Sambo, Aikido) and competitive grappler since 1989. Markle played soccer and also trained in judo and wrestling before being introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 1999. With much blood and sweat, in 2015 James became the first American to earn his black belt under Macaco.
​
​
Featured on:
Submission Hunter Pro
Fight 2 Win
KASAI Grappling
Flograppling
Jiu-jitsu Times
Professor Kyle " Kid Presentable" Braun
2nd Degree Black Belt
​
Kyle is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Daniel Beleza. Kyle started his Jiu Jitsu training in 2005. He is a former wrestler and has had several amateur MMA fights and professional grappling matches. He is an active competitor for Main Line United BJJ/TAC Team BJJ.
Professor Chris Hill
Black Belt
​
Chris Hill grew up in Arlington, Texas where he wrestled all four years in High School and 3 of those on Varsity until he was injured his Senior year. After High School he attended Texas A&M University where he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Industrial & Systems Engineering.
After College he was looking for something to help him get back in shape. He tried other fitness programs, but they didn’t quite work for him. In 2013 he tried out a BJJ class and was hooked immediately.After starting training he moved to Houston and floated between gyms for about a year until he joined Gold Team in 2014. He was most attracted to Gold Team’s mat culture which challenges the body while stimulating the mind, and building a supportive community. Chris was promoted to Black belt December 2022.
In Memoriam
Professor James "Fajita" Farinas
Asst. Coach
DECEMBER 7, 1990 – NOVEMBER 15, 2020
​
Progessor James Ryan Farinas a dual black belt (BJJ/Judo) was born and raised in Houston, Texas in the Alief area. His Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey started from a friendly spar with an ex-girlfriend who was well versed in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. After being repeatedly arm locked and choked he knew he had to be verse on ground fighting and grappling.
​
Due to the changing demographics of the area, because of Hurricane Katrina, he found himself in constant trouble. Due this he was sent to Hilo, Hawaii in 2006 which was a blessing in disguise. He was able to train with legendary figures BJJ in Hilo under the Carlson Gracie/ Andre Pederneiras lineage. In 2010 for his spring and fall semesters James studied in Japan at Tokai University where he learned Judo and continued practicing BJJ with the Paraestra Team also under the Carlson Gracie lineage. Upon returning to the mainland, he would begin training at his home with friends due to loyalty to his team not having local associates to join. However, in 2012 he had an injury in competition which would cause a halt in training due to major surgery. Fate would have it while working at a sporting goods store he met Professor Jorge “Macaco” Patino who encouraged him to get stronger and continue his BJJ journey.
​
Professor Macaco would always encourage him while seeing him at a local fitness gym in Sugar Land, Texas. In 2017 after being nearly 5 years of the mats he would meet and reconnect with Macaco Black Belt Professor James Markle through mutual friends Kyle Richey and Team Boxing Coach Mack Perez. He knew that the team because of their lineage would be a fit with him due to the toughness of sparring partners and detailed instruction. He teaches the fundamentals classes due to his belief that many of the basics are often overlooked for the use of newer techniques that many do not have the ability to do. Since joining Markle Gold Team, he has comeback to the competition scene and picked up where he left off. Aside from BJJ and Judo, James has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and is a avid competition shooter in IPSC and USPSA.​