Heading 5
Heading 5
INSTRUCTORS
PANAYIOTIS MELODIAS
Renzo Gracie Strovolos Head Instructor
Panayiotis Melodias began judo at the age of six. He participated in many national competitions and trained for many years with the national team. In 1999 he had the luck of meeting Pantelis Panayides and to learn about BJJ. He noticed the effectiveness and the realism of BJJ from the beginning. Moreover he found the philosophy of Judo hidden in the heart of BJJ and in the Aspida Team. He competed in international competitions as well as in two MMA fights under Aspida Team. He is the first Black Belt under Pantelis Panayides. He started his own academy in 2014. He is the founder and the owner of Renzo Gracie Strovolos. He now teaches in Nicosia, in Larnaca and in Limassol. BJJ is a way of life for him.
NIKOLAS KAGLANTZIS
Head Coach
Nikolas is one of the oldest members of Aspida Team. He started BJJ when Pantelis opened his first academy in 2001. He is a black belt under Pantelis Panayides and started teaching in Renzo Gracie Strovolos in 2017.
He is consider to be the toughest of the gang. He is a very discipline guy and a hard worker.
His hobby is weight lifting. He has a lot to give and he is very passionate with what he does.
LEO DANTIS
Kids Assistant Coach
Leo Dantis is our Kids Assistant Coach in Nicosia. He is a brown belt in BJJ under Panayiotis Melodias. He competed in several national and internanional BJJ, Judo and MMA tournaments. He is a former national MMA champion in his category and represented our country in competitions abroad. He is studying physical education and he is one of the most charismatic members of the team. The Kids adore him and call him Leo the Lion.
SOTERIS XENOPHONTOS
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Soteris Xenophontos is an Exercise Physiologist with a Batchelor of Science with Honours in Sport and Exercise Science from Kingston University and a Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Physiology from Loughborough University in the UK.
He is the founder of Spear Cyprus, focusing on human performance and health optimisation using science-based approach.
He is currently a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt under Professor Pantelis Panayides at Renzo Gracie Nicosia and is actively involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
CHARIDIMOS
Wrestling Coach
Approved wrestling coach from the world and Cypriot wrestling federations.
Charidimos is an active athlete and coach, He has been coaching in our academy since 2020.
He is participating in National and International Freestyle wrestling competitions until today since 2010.
He has also participated in National BJJ championship, is Sambo competition and in National beach wrestling.
Charidimos is in charge of improving our takedowns an our takedown defenses, for all athletes that follow BJJ and MMA classes.
LEO DANTIS
MMA Head Coach
​
Leo Dantis is a charismatic coach who is known for his exceptional skills as a fighter and his remarkable vision for his students. He is still an active fighter who is always pushing himself to the limit.
Leo Dantis started his career in martial arts at a young age. He began training in BJJ under Melodias Panayiotis. His passion for the sport grew rapidly, and he soon found himself competing in various tournaments around the country. As he continued to hone his skills, he also started training in other martial arts such as wrestling and boxing, and eventually transitioned into the world of MMA.
Leo's dedication and hard work eventually paid off, and he quickly rose to prominence in the Cypriot MMA scene. He also proved himself to be an exceptional coach, with a unique ability to connect with his students and bring out the best in them. His vision for his students goes beyond just winning fights, but also encompasses the development of life skills such as discipline, focus, and perseverance.
Leo's coaching style is known for its focus on the fundamentals of BJJ and MMA, which he believes are essential for success in the long term. He emphasizes the importance of technique, strategy, and mental toughness, and works tirelessly to ensure that his students are well-prepared for any challenge they may face inside or outside the gym.
Now he is the head coach of MMA Underdogs and runs his academy at Renzo Gracie Strovolos.
