Defensive Edge Martial Arts proudly serving Wakefield

Defensive Edge Martial Arts has classes in Wakefield – Perfect for Kids and Adults Martial Arts Lessons.

Who we Are And why You Should Train Here

Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members in . We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.

We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..

Get To Know Our World Class Instructors

Our professional instructors are highly trained in several martial arts disciplines.

All Head Instructors have 25 – 35 years of experience in the Martial Arts and are dedicated to bringing out the best in each and every student. Defensive Edge is a proud member of Blackbelt Schools International, MAIA (Martial Arts Industry Association), NAPMA (National Association of Professional Martial Artist). But more important than our blackbelt rankings and Championships is our students achievements! That is why our instructors continue to be students themselves.

Our instructors continuously train, attend seminars, and research to improve our ability to help our students reach their goals.

Master Rick Alford

Owner & Head Instructor MMA & Self Defense

Founded Defensive Edge Martial Arts 1999
Black Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Andre “Dedeco” Almeida
5th Degree Black Belt Lysak’s Sento Method under Walt Lysak Jr.
6th Degree Black Belt Castoldi’s Street Jujitsu under Professor David Castoldi
4th Degree iCAT Reality Martial Arts Under Richard Ryan and Walt Lysak Jr.
3rd Degree Black Belt Small Circle Jujitsu under Soke Ed Melaugh
2nd Degree Black Belt Joe Lewis Fighting Systems under Grand Master Joe Lewis
Muay Thai Level III under Ciano Delucia
Tribal Leader Level II under Guru Michael Williams
Studied White Crane & Long Fist Kung Fu under Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (1990-1994)
1st Degree Black Belt Chung Moo Quan
Training Judo Privately with Olympian Rick Hawn
iCAT RMA National Director
iCAT RMA Certified Level V Pro-Coach
iCAT Team Elite & Masters Alliance Member
Certified in F.I.G.H.T. (Fierce Israeli Guerrilla Hand-to-Hand Tactics)
NRA Certified Basic Pistol Instructor
NRA Certified Home Safety Instructor
NRA Refuse to Be a Victim Instructor
Mass State Police Licensed LTC Firearm Safety Course Instructor
NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
Team Captain Wrestling CRLS (1986)
MVP Wrestling CRLS (1986)
Licensed MMA Trainer – Massachusetts, RI, NH, ME, CT, AL, FL,
Former E.M.T. (15 Years)
Former Emergency Communications Operator City of Cambridge, MA (Police, Fire, EMS)
Featured Martial Arts Instructor on Lifetime TV’s “Teen Trouble” Hosted by Josh Shipp (January, 2013)
Featured on Radio Disney (November, 2012)

Connor “Bare Knuckle” Barry

MMA, BJJ, Grappling Coach

Professional MMA Fighter
Brown Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Chris Piscione
Certified NASM Personal Trainer
Bachelors in Psychology UMassSilver Mitts Champion Boxer

Danny Navarro

Head Youth Instructor – General Manager

Blackbelt 2nd Degree Defensive Edge RMA/SCJ under Shihan Rick Alford
Muay Thai Level III Under Ciano Delucia
BJJ Blue Belt under Ryan Korzeniowski

Sensei Larry Ruisi

Head Instructor Small Circle Jujitsu

5th Degree Blackbelt Castoldi’s Street Jujitsu under Professor Dave Castoldi
4th Degree Blackbelt Small Circle Jujitsu under Soke Ed Melaugh
Studied White Crane & Long Fist Kung Fu Under Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (5 Years)
1st Degree Blackbelt in Chung Moo Quan
Tribal Leader Level II under Guru Michael Williams

Max Casa

Youth Instructor / Muay Thai Assistant

Blackbelt 2nd Degree Defensive Edge RMA/SCJ under Shihan Rick Alford
Blackbelt 1st Degree Joe Lewis Fighting Systems
Brown Belt iCAT RMA Under Walt Lysak & Richard Ryan & Rick Alford
Level I iCAT Instructor Certified
Muay Thai Level III Under Kru Ciano Delucia

Dave Lyons

Muay Thai Head Coach

Blackbelt 1st Degree Defensive Edge RMA/SCJ under Shihan Rick Alford
Muay Thai Level V Under Kru Ciano Delucia
Undefeated Kickboxing & Muay Thai Career

Sensei Josh Johnson

MMA Coach

2nd Degree Blackbelt SCJ Under Rick Alford & Larry Ruisi
Black Belt BJJ Under Andre “Dedeco” Almeida
1st Degree Blackbelt DEFS
Muay Thai Level V (Kru) under Ciano Delucia
Former Pro MMA Fighter

Manny Cuevas

BJJ Instructor

Blackbelt – DEFS
Black Belt BJJ under Andre “Dedeco” Almeida
Blackbelt Karate
Muay Thai

Sensei Derek Mellino

Small Circle Jujitsu Instructor

2nd Degree Blackbelt Small Circle Jujitsu
Level I MuayThai
Certified Personal Trainer
Youth Instructor

Anderson Silverio

Head BJJ Instructor

Blackbelt 4th Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Black Belt – 2003
Black Belt 1st Degree – 2006
Black Belt 2nd Degree- 2009
Black Belt 3rd Degree –2012
Black Belt 4th Degree – 2017

Fernanda Araujo

Youth Instructor

Black belt 2nd Degree Judo
Black Belt Shotokan Karate
Blue Belt BJJ
US Womens 135 Amateur MMA Champion
Pro MMA Fighter
Pro Boxer

Ryan Korzeniowski