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Head Instructors
Black Belt
John Dudley is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) under Samuel Puccio, a black belt under Rodrigo Medeiros who, in turn, is a black belt under Carlson Gracie.
John’s interest and passion for the martial arts began at a young age. It was in 1993 when he enrolled in a Chinese Kenpo School in Cape Girardeau, MO when he was 15 years old. John went on to receive his black belt in Chinese Kenpo in May of 1996 and received his third-degree black belt in the system under now Grandmaster Roger Arpin in February of 2001. John is also a member of the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, a traditional form of Japanese swordsmanship and one of the oldest surviving Japanese martial arts; having received his Mokuroku (advanced student certification) in 2009 after many years of training under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Dillon.
It was during his time as a Chinese Kenpo student when John first became interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As with many martial artists during that time, an extreme fascination with BJJ came about on November 12, 1993. It was on this day that Royce Gracie shocked the martial arts world by defeating several renowned martial artists in the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Black Belt (1st Degree)
Darren Jones is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Michael Geery of New Port Richie Jiu-Jitsu Association located in New Port Richie, FL.
A southeast Missouri native, Darren began studying BJJ in 2006, making frequent trips to St. Louis to train and compete until moving to the Tampa Florida Metro Area in 2010.
After a two year hiatus from training, Darren began studying under Professor Israel Rodriguez, and remained under his tutelage until 2016. While training under Prof. Rodriguez Darren began teaching and competing regularly and developed a passion for helping others begin their Jiu-Jitsu journey. From there he went on to train with Olympian Judoka Franklin Cisneros at Top Brother USA in Zephyrhills, FL.
While training under Prof. Cisneros, Darren developed a love for Judo and learned to incorporate many of its principles into his BJJ training. In 2016 Darren received his brown belt from Prof. Cisneros at Top Brother USA.
Since moving back to Southeast MO in April 2020, Darren’s goal is to help spread BJJ in the local community while teaching the art to the men and women of that area. Darren and his wife Anne have two children, Asher and Harper. When not on the mats Darren can often be found spending his time outside in the woods, on the water, or with his family.
Assistant Instructors
Preston Holifield is a multi-time international IBJJF champion with over 9 years as a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner with over a decade of wrestling experience. As an ultra-heavyweight competitor and assistant instructor at Carpe Momentum, Preston brings a technical, pressure-based style and a passion for helping teammates grow on and off the mats.
Outside the gym, Preston holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner, providing compassionate primary care in Southeast Missouri. He is also a proud family man, blessed with a wonderful wife Alyssa, son Judah, & their dog Maya. Preston deeply values the balance between martial arts, medicine, and family.
Preston is a dedicated supporter of Carpe Momentum and is committed to fostering a culture of discipline, community, and lifelong learning.
Jered Wayland is a decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor and Purple Belt at Carpe Momentum, as a decorated champion of both IBJJF Pans and Worlds with decades of wrestling experience. His technical knowledge, competitive experience, and ability to break down the details of Jiu Jitsu make him a valuable instructor and training partner.
Outside of the academy, Jered is a chiropractor and a devoted family man devoted to healing & helping others. He brings the same commitment to discipline, health, and continual improvement into his practice of Jiu Jitsu.
Jered is passionate about helping others develop their skills while building the discipline, confidence, and camaraderie that make Carpe Momentum more than just a place to train.
Xominique "Xom" Davis is a technical Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and Purple Belt at Carpe Momentum. While not the largest practitioner in the room, Xom has developed a highly technical game built around timing, leverage, positioning, and efficiency, allowing him to consistently challenge and defeat larger opponents through skill.
Xom is also a dedicated family man who enjoys sharing the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle with his family. His approach to training reflects the belief that Jiu Jitsu is about more than winning—it is about becoming more capable, disciplined, and confident both on and off the mats.
Xom is committed to helping teammates improve their technique and understand how leverage and proper mechanics can overcome physical advantages.
Cory Smith is a highly technical Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and assistant instructor at Carpe Momentum. Cory's game emphasizes technique, leverage, timing, and precision, demonstrating that effective Jiu Jitsu isn't dependent on being the biggest or strongest person in the room.
Like many of the instructors at Carpe Momentum, Cory is a dedicated family man who values the lessons Jiu Jitsu teaches both on and off the mats. He brings a calm, technical approach to training and enjoys helping teammates develop a deeper understanding of the art.
Cory is committed to building skilled, confident practitioners while contributing to the supportive and disciplined culture at Carpe Momentum.
Zach Scott is a competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and Blue Belt at Carpe Momentum. He is a multiple-time tournament champion, including an American Grappling Federation champion, and brings a competitive mindset and strong technical foundation to the academy.
Outside of Jiu Jitsu, Zach is also a decorated powerlifter, giving him a unique understanding of strength, conditioning, and athletic performance. He combines that physical preparation with the technique and strategy required to make strength useful on the mats.
Zach is also a dedicated family man who enjoys sharing the Jiu Jitsu journey with his family. He is passionate about helping teammates become stronger, more technical, and more confident through consistent training.
"Come for the Jiu Jitsu, leave as a friend."
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