I’ve known Ed for 8 years. He helped me get signed with American Top Team. He is one of the most well rounded MMA Trainers I know. Consider this, Ed Clay could compete at a professional level in ANY of the sports that are needed to be an MMA fighter. He's a black belt in BJJ, pro level Thai Boxer, college level wrestler, and most people don't know this, but his boxing is probably his biggest strength. His dedication to his students is admirable and his no nonsense, no BS approach to training has made him highly respected nationwide. I would recommend anyone to train at Nashville MMA as I have done a number of times over the years!
Jeff “The Snowman” Monson UFC & Pride Veteran Abu Dhabi World Champion
If you want to train real Mixed Martial Arts in the Nashville area, you
might as well train with one of the best trainers in the country. He has
been a part of my training camps over the years and I can tell you that Ed
Clay is one of the most well rounded MMA trainers around. Whether you want
to train BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, or wrestling, Ed has extensive background
in everything. Ed was doing real MMA before people knew what real MMA was!
I can't imagine living in Nashville and not training with him...There is
no other choice but Nashville MMA!
Brandon “The Truth” Vera UFC Heavyweight Contender
At his young age, Ed Clay is one of the most experience Mixed Martial Arts trainers in the country. Ed started wrestling at the age of 11 where he competed all the way to the college level. While wrestling, Ed began boxing at the age of 13, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 15. After going to college on a wrestling scholarship, Ed decided he wanted to dedicate all his efforts in Mixed Martial Arts. He started training all over the country with different fighters. At the age of 19, after a brutal training session with a Thai fighter, he decided to put a great focus on his Muay Thai kickboxing. In 2002 Ed opened Nashville Mixed Martial Arts and since then NMMA has become one of the largest Mixed Martial Arts gyms in the country.
Today Ed spends his time training the fighters at his gym and running his international clothing line Gameness. Both Nashville MMA and Gameness have been awarded the TN fast 50 award being two of the 50 fastest growing company’s in the state. He holds numerous black belts including being a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Fighters and friends from all over the world come train with him and invite him to their training camps. He has been featured in magazines and T.V. interviews with various media outlets and is currently co-host of the MMA zone on 104.5 the zone in Nashville.
Shawn started his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in 1998. Nine years later, in 2007, Shawn Hammonds took the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world by storm, competing all over the world in competition. Shawn won every local gi and no gi tournament he entered competing at least twice a month. Only one month after receiving his BJJ black belt from Lloyd Irvin, he competed in the Pan American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championships. Next to the World championships, this is the toughest tournament in the World. Shawn walked through all opponents making it to the finals where he face World champion and World renowned Paragon Jiu-Jitsu instructor Franjina. No one gave Shawn a chance to last the whole match. Not only did he last the whole match, he kept the match close throughout. When the time ran out he received a standing ovation from spectators as he had defied the odds.
Shawn currently teaches the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program at Nashville MMA where he led the team to the number one non chain schools ranking in the North American Grappling association. He has vast knowledge in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling and Judo.
A Metro police officer and Lloyd Irvin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt, Spyder has competed all over the country winning multiple Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu titles. Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1997, Spyder trained at many different locations and with multiple instructors. In 2004 Spyder started the Lloyd Irvin system of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His BJJ level exploded as he learned about 3rd point pressure, wearing down your opponent, and how to fight with a game plan.
Shortly after that Spyder started teaching at the Metro police department where he used the principles learned to keep the officers safe against attackers. Spyder now has multiple police students who use the same Lloyd Irvin BJJ style and Nashville MMA fight style to keep them safe. Spyder teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Nashville MMA and regularly trains and spars competitively with the Nashville MMA pro fighters.
Ray Casias, has been Training for 10 years in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai Boxing. Ray was ranked 6th in the country in No GI Grappling in 2005 in the Ranked series. He has placed 1st in Naga, EGO and The Arnold Classic. Ray is a brown Belt under Lloyd Irvin and place 3rd in the Pan Am championships in 2008 in the brown belt division. Ray teaches self defense tactics in Tennessee, Colorado and New Mexico. He is one of our Jiu Jitsu and Thai Boxing instructors and has been a member of NMMA since its inseption.
Ray is one of the first Pro MMA fighters in Tennessee and has fought in Hook and Shoot. He now concentrates on the NMMA and Gameness fight team and their training. He is also available for private lessons.
A certified military combatives instructor, Lance Patrick has proven his effective blend of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Thai Boxing in the MMA ring, sporting a 4-1 record, Lance has competed all over the country in BJJ and submission wrestling tournaments and in 2007 finished with a silver medal in the NAGA national championships.
A devastating Thai fighter, Lance is a 4th degree blackbelt in Combat Thai-Jitsu under Ed Clay and teaches Combat Thai Jitsu and Thai boxing at Nashville MMA. Lance hopes to take his MMA career to high levels over the next few years and is excited to see the growth in his students. Lance also hold the rank of purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
As a fighter, Ryan Delorenzo is like a rabid pitbull! As an instructor he is patient and helpful. Ryan sports a perfect 6-0 MMA record and has been teaching at Nashville MMA for over 3 years. He is a 3rd degree blackbelt in Combat Thai- Jitsu and holds the rank of blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Ryan has high hopes for his MMA career and has been focusing on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling as this is his weakness. Ryan regularly spars with professional boxers and kickboxer a like and is a great asset to the Nashville MMA staff.
Head instructor is Sensei Floyd Eason. He is currently a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and he has been in Jiu Jitsu for six (6) years. He is also known as the "father figure" for kids' instructor. He has won numerous titles and awards. He is the 135lb Bantamweight Champion for Mr. Grappling. He also holds a championship belt for Naga Nationals. He is also an instructor for the Adult Jiu Jitsu program under Master Shawn Hammonds.
Marc Facunla is currently a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu. He has been in Jiu Jitsu for six (6) years. He is also known as the "military figure" for kids' instructor.
Cory Robison is currently a Purple belt in Jiu Jitsu. He is a world class athlete. He has won numerous titles and awards. He is a two (2) times C.A.G.E. Fighter Absolute Champion. He is Mr. Grappling 155lb Light Weight Champion. He is also the Absolute Champion for Mr. Grappling. He recently trained in Brazil. While in Brazil, he won the Brazilian National
Championship. He was also a Motorcross Champion.
Bryan Tidwell is currently a Purple belt in Jiu Jitsu. He has been in Jiu Jitsu for three (3) years. He is the 145lb Featherweight Champion for Mr. Grapping. He trains for MMA combat fighting. He has won numerous titles and awards. He also teaches our kids Free Karate Program.
