THE FIGHTFIT TEAM
FightFit isn't a handful of separate trainers, we're a team. We exchange teaching and training ideas daily, allowing us to leverage over a century of combined experience. In addition, we keep multiple sets of eyes on every single client's progress to ensure the highest caliber of training.
Work with us, and you'll see why we're the top rated training team in LA.
Matt Bahntge - Owner and founder
MMA / Muay Thai / Kickboxing / Boxing / BJJ & Grappling / Self Defense
For Matt, FightFit is the culmination of decades of teaching, training and competing in MMA, muay thai, kickboxing, wrestling, brazilian jiu jitsu and submission grappling. Starting his life in martial arts at 6 years old, Matt later moved from Cleveland to Los Angeles where he garnered a combined MMA record of 12 wins and 4 losses, alongside multiple championship and tournament victories. He has trained with some of MMA’s greatest fighters, including Lyoto Machida, Rickson Gracie, Urijah Faber, Pedro Monhoz, Vladamir Matyushenko and Frank Trigg among others.
Matt has spent thousands of hours instructing everyone from first timers to professional athletes, law enforcement and celebrities. He has implemented training curricula and nutrition programs for individuals, businesses and the UFC’s Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Drawing on this experience, he created FightFit Personal Trainers in 2014 to bring high quality, competition-tested training to all of Los Angeles.
(also a board game designer and ultimate frisbee player 🥏)
John Garcia - managing trainer / Head coordinator
Muay Thai / Kickboxing / Boxing / Self Defense
John began training in Taekwondo at 9 years old and continued his progression into Boxing and Muay Thai at the age of 14, thoroughly in love with contact sports. As soon as he was able, at 18 years old, he started to build a winning record competing in amateur Muay Thai.
18 fights later, John holds the MTU featherweight belt as well as his second degree black belt in Taekwondo, along with degrees in both Business and Biochemistry. He has been teaching since 2014 and is a pro fighter with Team Victory Muay Thai.
(also a Pokemon collector and Dragon Ball Z fan 🐲)
Brian Monahan - Managing Trainer
Kick Boxing / Muay Thai / Boxing / Jiu Jitsu / Wrestling
Beginning with Tae Kwon Do at the age of 8, Brian evolved his training with Muay Thai and kickboxing soon after. Combining these into MMA-focused competition hasn’t stopped him from becoming a second-degree TKD black belt, as well as claiming over 10 gold medal tournament wins across NY, NJ, TN, and CA. He has additionally won district and regional championship titles as a wrestler.
With years of full-time personal training experience, he caters to diverse skill sets and personalities. While aspiring to be a champion in combat sports, his passion lies in teaching and coaching, inspiring others on their transformative fitness journeys while he continues to actively compete in kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA.
(also an analog collage artist with some mean guitar skills 🎸)
Mel Franklin - Managing Trainer
Kickboxing / Boxing / Grappling / Self Defense
As a teenager, Mel began his training in boxing and soon moved on to Muay Thai, Eskrima Thai, and BJJ early in college. He hasn’t looked back. After his initial MMA bouts, Mel transitioned to training amateur MMA fighters throughout in various stages of their careers. He additionally taught Jeet Kune Do and Kali, and continued with years of training under Erik Paulson in submission grappling and Patrick King in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Mel has continued to learn and improve over the years, teaching an array of classes including boxing and Muay Thai for Team Janjira, as well as numerous kickboxing classes at D1 gyms throughout Los Angeles. Additionally, Mel is an NCSF certified personal trainer and has a BA in Biology.
(also loves cooking and hiking 🥾)
Simon But-Amaya - Primary Trainer
Muay Thai / Kickboxing / Boxing
Simon began his fight journey as a teenager, learning Wu Shu and competing in open style martial arts tournaments to test his abilities. As an adult he transitioned into Muay Thai and Boxing fights to further expand his skills and test his mind, and began coaching a youth team at his home gym, eventually becoming assistant coach at the UCLA Boxing Club.
Simon continues to compete for his own enjoyment, compiling a record of 11-6 over three different sport fighting disciplines. He also has a BA in Exercise Physiology from Arizona State, and uses this education to blend modern cross training methods into the FightFit striking methodology.
(also loves baking and playing guitar 🎸)
Edgar Peralta - Primary Trainer
Muay Thai / Kickboxing / Boxing / Self Defense
Edgar started his martial arts journey when he was 10 years old with taekwondo, continuing on to folk-style wrestling. After high school, he began boxing training under WBC champion Armando Santa Cruz and fell in love with Muay Thai fight training from there.
Years later, Edgar has now amassed a Muay Thai record of 4-1 and continues his competitive career with the Kings MMA pro fight team. Edgar has spent thousands of hours between training and instruction, and brings his knowledge on tackling obstacles inside and outside of the ring to FightFit.
(also loves skateboarding and his dog 🐶)
Lorenzo orozco - Primary Trainer
Muay Thai / Kickboxing / Boxing / Grappling / Self Defense
Lorenzo came into Muay Thai with a fury, living and training at the world famous Sasiprapa Gym in Thailand. Within only a few years, Lorenzo fought to an 8-2 record and claimed the CA State Championship. Before that, Lorenzo led his wrestling team to winning the Ocean League Title, and would later lead them to the 2016 CIF Wrestling Finals to place second overall.
Teaching beginner to advanced classes for kids through adults, Lorenzo has a wide range of experience in communicating the fundamentals of Muay Thai, kickboxing, and boxing. In addition to leading fight team practices and competing, Lorenzo is also earning his degree in Kinesiology and Nutrition to further his knowledge of the human body.
(also loves live music and an ocean swim 🏊♂️)
Gene Shibuya - Primary Trainer
Muay Thai / Krav Maga / Boxing
Gene continues to compete with over 7 years of experience in Muay Thai, boxing and Krav Maga. He is a lifelong athlete who found physical and mental challenges of martial arts training unparalleled in their benefits as he competed in USKO and IKF Muay Thai matches. Eager to share what he’s gained from his experience, Gene is always excited to coach students as they progress on their journey.
As a trainer, he keeps his focus on making sure trainees experience the joy of constant improvement in every phase of their training, from technique to strength, endurance and flexibility. Gene enjoys crafting sessions which bring enough challenge to help clients excel.
(also loves video production, illustration, and cooking 👨🍳)
Nata Gomes - Primary Trainer
Muay Thai
Nata is an experienced Muay Thai fighter who has 97 pro fights under his belt, holding a record of 70 wins and 27 losses. Having fought on the biggest sporting platforms around the world (including Lumphini stadium, Muay Thai Super Champ and All Star UFC tournament), he holds multiple championship belts. Over his decades of experience, Nata has trained alongside world champions such as Luis Cajaiba, Jose Neto, Julio Lobo, Thiago Alves, Matheus Robim, and Allycian Rodriguez at the famous Phuket Fight Club.
Nata hopes to share his vast experience with clients across levels, especially within Muay Thai. He loves teaching to everyone from beginners to fighters who are hoping to compete at the highest level, bringing an understanding of “Fight IQ” and working to improve a trainee’s dominance from day one. He’s also traveled and trained in many countries throughout the world, and speaks Thai and Portuguese in addition to English.
(also a soccer lover - go Corinthians!⚽)
Will Turner - Primary Trainer
Boxing / Muay Thai / Kickboxing / Strength & Conditioning
Will started boxing at just 10 years old, stepping into the ring for his first fight at 75 lbs. After years of dedication, he transitioned into Muay Thai and kickboxing, and continues to train and compete.
A former Division I athlete at UC Berkeley, Will studied strength and conditioning for four years, gaining a strong foundation in body mechanics and performance. His multi-sport background allows him to bring a dynamic, well-rounded approach to training, combining technical skill with athletic insight.
(also loves fine art and is a licensed tattoo artist 🎨)
Delia Bobadilla - Digital operations manager
Delia joins FightFit with a plethora of experience in communications and digital marketing, making her an essential part of the FightFit backbone as Digital Operations Manager. She ensures that everything from client information and billing to marketing, outreach and scheduling runs smoothly, keeping the training team on a smooth course.
In addition to her expertise in marketing, Delia is a Certified Holistic Therapist and a Disney and Universal Travel Agent, bringing a creative and multifaceted approach to her work.
When she’s not keeping FightFit on track, you’ll find Delia dancing or diving into a good book 💃
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