COACHING STAFF

Learn From Experience.

Our instructors bring years of training, coaching and competition experience to every class.

OWNER • HEAD JIU-JITSU COACH

Professor Ian Lawler

Professor Ian began training in kickboxing in 2002, No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu and boxing in 2005, Gi Jiu-Jitsu in 2007 and wrestling in 2011. He coached the All-Marine Corps Fight Team from 2010–2014 and opened Somerset Martial Arts in 2014 before opening Danville Martial Arts in September 2024.

He was promoted to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Michael Seals and Shawn Hammonds in March 2020 and is now a second-degree black belt. His competition background includes Ohio State black belt titles, ASJL national championships, the 2014 UFC Expo No-Gi 165 expert championship and professional MMA competition.

2nd Degree BJJ Black BeltIBJJF CompetitionPro MMA 7–4–1250+ BJJ Matches

INSTRUCTOR • KIDS COMPETITION COACH

Coach Jim Alford

Coach Jim has been with Danville Martial Arts since September 2024, serving as Assistant Kids Competition Team Coach for the Somerset/Danville Martial Arts Competition Team and as an instructor since January 2026.

He is a U.S. Army veteran with Level 1 and Level 2 Army Combatives training, five years of junior-high and high-school wrestling and five years of combined Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience. His competition accomplishments include gold at the Fuji Kentucky State Championship, silver at the IBJJF Nashville Open and bronze at the IBJJF Indianapolis Open.

Army CombativesWrestlingBJJ CompetitionKids Coaching

INSTRUCTOR • JUDO SENSEI

Coach Joe Muradov

Sensei Joe brings with him a lifelong martial arts journey that began around the age of 10, when he was introduced to Judo at a small village club in Uzbekistan. He continued training through high school and competed in local and regional tournaments.

During medical school, his training expanded to include the junior/amateur club of the Central Military Club of Uzbekistan, while he also spent four years training with his medical school's boxing team. After moving to the United States in 2010, Sensei Joe returned to Judo and continued his journey. He earned his brown belt under the late Sensei Erroyl Cheatham at Wakaishu Judo Club in Louisville and, in 2025, was promoted to a Judo black belt by Sensei Clint Brezantine at Bowling Green Judo Club.

JudokaJudo CompetitionKids Coaching

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Coaching Is More Than Technique.

We want students to understand why a technique works, how to make decisions under pressure and how to train safely with partners. The goal is progress that lasts.