INSTRUCTORS
"top dog"
Master Marcelo Alonso
Coral Belt and based in Seattle, Washinon USA, BJJ hero Marcelo Alonso began his journey at aged 12, under the guidance of Master Carlson Gracie in Rio de Janeiro, having spent his youth growing up with Carlsons son, Junior, in the streets of Copacabana.
Following a successful competitive career from ages 15 to his mid 20's, Marcelo gained a deep understanding of the art, and brought his knowledge to the US West Coast, opening schools in Seattle in the late 90's and expanding his affiliations with various academies across the world for the last 20+ years.
Nick and Marcelo have a friendship spanning all of those 20+ years, and Master Marcelo is our guiding light at BAD DOG BJJ. Awarding Nick his 4th degree Black Belt in 2022 at the Shrimp'n Escape Camp in Cyprus, Marcelo also shared hundreds of tips and techniques for the lucky attendees.
Check out > mabjj.com
"PACK LEADER"
Professor Nick Unander
Nick is a Swedish/American 4th Degree Black Belt with over 27 years of experience teaching various martial arts including Taekwondo, Karate, MMA & BJJ to thousands of students around the world, Nick has grown the BAD DOG BJJ Academy in CYPRUS from scratch, producing gold medalists in both IBJJF and ADCC competitions across Europe.
"My mission is to coach, motivate and inspire those who have chosen martial arts as a path for positively transforming their lives.
I practice and teach my craft with absolute faith and passion because this is the precious Art that is continuing to define the evolution of my life..."
NICK'S QUALIFICATIONS
1987 World Taekwondo Federation National First Place Gold Medalist Black Belt for New Hampshire
1994 Vermont State Champion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
1998 Champion Rhode Island Under Ground and Pound Cage N.H.B.
2001 Canadian Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship First Place Advanced Division
2002 Pan American Jiu-jitsu finalist in Florida
2004 U.S Open Jiu-Jitsu Silver Medalist California
2007 Jiu-jitsu World Championship Finalist in Long Beach California
2007 Winner of the State Of Oregon Governor's Fitness Award
2008 Awarded BJJ Black Belt by Marcelo Alonso MABJJ Carlson Gracie Team
2011 Awarded 1st Degree Black Belt by Marcelo Alonso MABJJ Carlson Gracie Team
2012 IBJJF European Open Championship Black Belt Bronze Medal
2012 Greek NO Gi Open Championships Silver Medal
2015 IBJJF European Championship Black Belt bronze medal
2014 Awarded 2nd Degree Black Belt by Marcelo Alonso MABJJ Carlson Gracie Team
2016 IBJJF European Championship Black Belt Bronze Medal
2017 Awarded 3rd Degree Black Belt by Marcelo Alonso MABJJ Carlson Gracie Team
2022 Awarded 4th Degree Black Belt by Marcelo Alonson MABJJ Carlson Gracie Team
PODCAST WITH BJJ BRICK 2017
PODCAST WITH BJJ BRICK 2019
"DOG TRAINER"
Coach Theo Charalambous
Transitioning from traditional karate to mixed martial arts, Theo's journey into Brazilian jiu-jitsu ignited a competitive fire within him. Since being a BJJ blue belt, Theo has showcased his skills on the national stage in Cyprus, earning an impressive collection of medals. Now, as a seasoned brown belt competitor, he continues to raise the bar, demonstrating his dedication and tenacity both on and off the mats. Theo's commitment to excellence extends beyond competition; he channels his passion into nurturing the next generation of grapplers, instilling in them the same drive and determination that fuels his own success. As an essential member of Professor Nick's coaching team, Theo's impact reverberates throughout our academy, shaping champions both on and off the mat.
Notable Achievements :
2022 Cyprus BJJ Spring Open
Gi / Blue Belt / Gold
Nogi / Blue Belt / Gold
Nogi / Purple Belt / Bronze (as a Blue Belt!)
2023 Conquer the Mats
Nogi / Purple Belt / Bronze
2024 AJP Pro - Cyprus National Championship
Gi / Purple Belt / Gold
2024 AJP Pro - Mediterranean Regional Championship
Gi / Brown Belt / Silver
2024 - Conquer the Mats (INVITATIONAL)
Gi / Brown Belt / Gold
Off the mats, not only is Theo a talented singer, musician and multimedia artist, his main profession is Dog Trainer and owner of Theo's Dog School. Check out the links below >
"THE DOG MOTHER"
Coach Nickie Ruddy
Nickie is the newest coach to join the BAD DOG BJJ team and will be leading Women’s Only classes starting in January 2025.
As both the partner of Professor Nick, and a co-founder of BAD DOG BJJ, Nickie has been instrumental in building the club’s strong, inclusive community. With over seven years of training and competition experience under Nick's guidance, Nickie brings a wealth of expertise and a genuine passion for the sport to every session.
Nickie’s martial arts journey began with a background in Judo, but it was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that sparked her deep commitment to sharing the art with others—especially women. Beyond the physical skills, Nickie is passionate about introducing women to the profound mental health benefits of BJJ, from increased confidence to stress relief and resilience.
Her dedication is backed by competitive success, including gold medals at the prestigious European IBJJF Championships in 2020 and 2023. As a purple belt, she is committed to helping women discover the transformative power of Jiu-Jitsu, whether they’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or seeking to refine their skills.
Notable Achievements :
2020 IBJJF European Championships
Gi / White Belt / Masters 3 / Gold
2023 IBJJF European Championships
Gi / Blue Belt / Masters 1 / Gold
When Nickie isn’t training or coaching, she’s the driving force behind the annual Shrimp’n Escape BJJ & Watersports Camp in Cyprus, ensuring every detail—from marketing to event planning—is handled with care and creativity. Combining her passion for Jiu-Jitsu with professional marketing expertise gained from her career at Nike, Nickie plays a key role in making the camp a truly exceptional experience for all participants. Check out the Shrimp'n Escape website link below.
