Co-Founder | Head Instructor
Jiu Jitsu black belt under Coach Greg Souders of Standard Jiu Jitsu, with a decade of martial arts experience and a research background.
Coach Carlmichael began his grappling journey in 2012 as a high school wrestler, earning over 100 victories in folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman competition within his first two years of training.
After transitioning to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2014, he trained under 7-time world champion Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu before co-founding Ground Game Theory alongside Keanoush Amirizadeh in 2022.
Prior to opening the academy, Carlmichael worked as a fintech research analyst while spending years studying high-level grappling strategy, skill acquisition, and coaching methodology. His coaching philosophy blends analytical thinking with an ecological approach that emphasizes live training, adaptive problem-solving, and realistic skill development.
Today, Carlmichael is a black belt under Coach Greg Souders of Standard Jiu Jitsu. He is recognized as one of South Florida's leading no-gi jiu jitsu instructors and is dedicated to building one of the region's premier submission grappling programs.
Carlmichael writes the Ground Game Theory blog.
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Carlmichael coaches at Ground Game Theory, a no-gi jiu jitsu academy in Westchester / University Park in Miami, five minutes from FIU. The academy is at 9766 SW 24th St, Unit 12, Miami, FL 33165 and runs adult no-gi classes, kids classes, and MMA, plus open mat and private lessons. The first day is free for Miami-area residents.
Our adult no-gi jiu jitsu program is split into three class types: foundations for beginners, all-levels for mixed experience, and advanced classes for competitors and serious practitioners. Students learn how to wrestle opponents to the ground, control positions, and finish submissions under pressure.
Explore adult no-gi→Our kids jiu jitsu classes help students build confidence, focus, discipline, and sportsmanship through structured, engaging training. Classes are welcoming, productive, and fun for children ages 4-12 in the Miami area.
Explore kids classes→Our MMA training classes combine striking, wrestling, and submission grappling in a structured and approachable environment. These sessions are ideal for students looking to develop practical mixed martial arts skills while improving conditioning and timing. MMA classes are offered Fridays and Sundays.
Explore MMA→Start your free one-day trial and experience the room for yourself.
