Neil Melanson

Who is Neil Melanson? Neil could easily be considered one of the most dangerous men on the planet. Neil is the head coach of the infamous Blackzillians MMA Team at the Jaco Hybrid Training Center, he has coached some of the best UFC fighters to ever compete to the pinnacle of the sport. Some of the names that he has coached include, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Randy Couture, Matt Mitrione, and the list goes on. Neil used to be the head grappling coach at world famous MMA gym, Xtreme Couture and has notably been referred to as the most dangerous man on the planet by several MMA fighters. Chael Sonnen went as far as to say “Neil would slap Rickon Gracie around like it was easy.’ This is a bold statement made by a bold man, but they say Neil has some of the absolute best grappling in the world. He is a much larger man standing well above 6 feet and weighing well over 200 pounds. Given his physical stature and lack of physical limitations you would assume that he smashes people, this assumption would be wrong. Neil is a guard player through and through, and many say that they have seen him grapple multiple time world champions and ADCC veterans and toy with them. Former UFC Champion, Vitor Belfort who is also a black belt in Jiu Jitsu stated that “Neil could triangle anybody in any room.”

ACHIEVEMENTS

Below is an extensive list of Neil Melanson's accomplishments in both Grappling and MMA

Xtreme Couture Head Grappling Coach
Blackzillians Head Grappling Coach
Alliance MMA Head Grappling Coach
Coach of Chael Sonnen
Coach of Randy Couture
Coach of Vitor Belfort
Coach of Several Other High Level UFC Fighters
Published Author for a Book solely on The Triangle Choke

Neil Melanson Instructional Videos

Neil has worked with BJJ Fanatics on several instructional video projects. They have been some of the bestselling DVD’s for a reason. Neil has an extremely meticulous approach to his teaching and he breaks down every single detail. Neil can teach even the most beginner practitioner the most complex technique with no problem. He has a masterful approach to teaching. They say that some of the best black belts in the world are white belts when it comes to teaching. This is not the case for Neil, he is a black belt, but he is also a Red Belt in teaching.

The Catch Wrestling Formula

This is an excellent DVD Set for those who want a high level catch wrestling approach to their bjj. Neil does not hold any technique back in this DVD and shows everything in his arsenal. It is a great introductory course to catch wrestling with high level basics. Definitely check it out. If you are a begginer, feel free to watch Basic Wrestling Concepts For Jiu-Jitsu Athletes by Fred Leavy.

The Ground Marshall Guard

This is the DVD set where Neil divulges his entire hybrid system that his carried him and so many UFC fighters so far. Neil has been infamous for having one of the best guards in the world for almost 10 years; in this DVD you will get to see his techniques and his methodical approach to breaking things down. He touches on the closed guard a lot in this DVD and you can learn never before seen tricks.

Headhunter Guillotine Series

Advanced Guard Systems

The Filthy Kimura

The Ground Marshal Half Guard

Neil Melanson Biography

Where did Neil learn to grapple? Neil is a black belt under Karo Paryisian. Neil started off learning grappling in the Hayastan school – it has roots in Catch Wrestling, Judo & Sambo under world famous coaches Gene Lebel and Gokor Chivichyan. To say it was a strict school would be to understate the reality by a mile. Gokor told Neil that he would have to learn the bottom game very well, since his training partners such as UFC star Karo Paryisian were too advanced in their takedown games that Neil would not be able to catch up anytime soon.

Neil did as he was told but he was forced due to his body type to pick and choose the moves that worked for him. Sambo and Catch Wrestling don’t have as well defined moves from the bottom as does BJJ so Neil developed a lot on his own. What he came up with speaks to his own mind: he’s obsessed with independent and free thinkers like Nicola Tesla and in Grappling he is Tesla and beyond. What Neil came up with was pure brilliance.

Neil created a unique system that is not familiar to Catch Wrestlers or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners, the way Neil grapples is a hybrid system where he takes what is useful and discards what is useless, much like the great martial artist Bruce Lee. Neil has an excellent understanding of the fundamental principles of grappling, he understands concepts and body mechanics. Neil can break a technique down that he has never seen before and understand what makes it work, what can be improved, and what can’t. His grappling and fighting I.Q are beyond belief.

Neil has been considered a “Mad Grappling Scientist” by many of the best UFC and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters. What makes Neil so unique is the fact that he is one of the best MMA coaches in the entire world and this platform has allowed him to learn how to translate grappling into effective MMA and self-defense. Not only is his grappling I.Q ingenious, his fight I.Q is also unbelievable. He can look at a MMA match and understand immediately what is working and what is not, he can coach a fighter through the toughest of situations because of the depth of his own knowledge. On of Neil’s other greatest characteristics are his ability to teach. He is an excellent instructor. If you have ever seen Neil’s instructional videos than you understand what we mean, if not, continue reading and you will find some below.

Asides from all of Neil’s unbelievable grappling and MMA accomplishments, Neil also served 7 years for the United States Navy and 5 years as a Federal Air Marshall. You can rest assured that his techniques are not only functional for grappling, MMA, but also for Self-Defense. Neil lives a quiet life off of the mats, and is one of the most humble and down to earth people that you can encounter.

Neil has an extremely unique grappling methodology; he has a system that is not similar to anybody else in the grappling world. He is known for is Irish Collar System, his K Control system, Getting off the center line, and his Leg and Foot control from guard. Neil’s unique approach to grappling allows him to have a competitive edge on people because of the lack of familiarity with his movements. Check some of his techniques out below.