Louisville's Top MMA Fight Team

Highlander MMA is the top performing MMA fight team in the Louisville, KY area, specializing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). The team is lead by BJJ Black Belt,
Mike Yanez, student of World Champion grappler, Master Pablo Popovitch.

Contact us today to sign-up for your first FREE introductory lesson.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is the premier ground-fighting martial art. Made famous by Royce Gracie in the early UFCs in the mid-1990's, it specializes in submission grappling when both fighters are on the ground. Techniques include positional control (especially the "guard" position), and submissions such as chokes and arm locks.

It is worth noting that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu differentiates itself from standard Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for its emphasis on self-defense rather than sports competition. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu students will:

  • Learn to defend against punches and kicks from the standing position
  • Learn to neutralize an attacker’s stand up aggression while taking them to the ground, and maintaining the top position
  • Learn to defend and submit a larger opponent from the bottom position
  • Learn practical self -defense, including chokes, joint-locks, from both the standing and ground position

Testimonials

Master Pablo Popovitch

"Mike Yanez has been my student and friend for 11 years. His dedication and knowledge of competition is top notch. His students are as tough as they come anywhere in the country. His MMA team has a record of 70-17 in its first year and has shown strong Jiu Jitsu in the cage. Mike Yanez is extremely technical and very patient teacher and a great example of a good instructor. He treats everyone like famliy which I'm glad he has kept that tradition from my father and I."

Pablo Popovitch
BJJ Black Belt

2007 World Jiu-Jitsu Champion
2007 USA Grappling Trials Champion
2007 Abu Dhabi World Submission Wrestling Championship - 2nd Place
2007 Atlantic Cup Superfight Champion
2005 Abu Dhabi World Submission Wrestling Championship - 2nd Place
National Champion USA- 10 times
Grapplers Quest Champion- 7 times
2004 USA Grappling Trials Champion
2003 North American World Submission Champion
Casca Grossa Pro division Champion
Music City Pro Division Champion
III Northeast Grappling Tournament Pro division Champion
Texas Submission Pro Division Champion

Highlander MMA News

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Highlander reaches 100 wins!

Nov 8 2008 Atlanta Ga- Joe " the deal" Heink and very much the real deal! Met with a very unwelcome crowd Joe was the spoiler in GA. Joe with 9 submissions in his record, shows why no one can "deal" with him.

Joe Heink

Monday, November 3, 2008

Thank You to our Sponsor

www.brawlandmaul.tv

Brawl and Maul

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Kyle " No Quarter" Noland moves team closer!

Florence Ky- Kyle Noland pulls a Armbar early in the 2nd Round over Richard James of Made Men MMA. Kyle Pulls the team with in 1 win to make 100 wins under Instructor Mike Yanez. Team Standing now 99-28 with RJ Miller in line to take the 100th win for the team this weekend in Brandenburg Ky.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

upcoming events

XMMA Nov 1st AMMY
Brandonburg ky
RJ miller 2-0 vs sean lasley 6-3

Wild Bills Fight Night Nov 8th
Atlanta GA
170 Joe "the deal" Heink vs Jeff boudreux 1-0 pro 3-1am

Gokor tournament NOV 8-9th
Lex Ky
www.hayastangrapplingchallenge.com

CageFest- Nov 15
Northfolk Virginia
Turner vs Antwain Britt 5-0 of TUF 8

ICF NOV 22nd
Kyle Noland vs TBA
RJ Miller 2-0 title fight vs Marcus Finch cincymma 5-0
Rich Shabowsky 1-0 vs Daniel Strauss, Team Vision 5-1

Bushi Combat Nov 22nd
Dayton Ohio
Joe Heink vs Neal Craft
Montrell Parker vs TBA

XFC Dec 5th
Tampa Florida
CT Turner 4-1 vs Brett Chism 8-2 Pro 5-2am

Thursday, September 25, 2008

New Generation !!!

alot of new faces on the team, at the end of a MMA class.
Most of the guys are around 17 so just wait a bit, these guys are going to be great!

Highlander fight team

ICF Heink,Miller,and Noland Black Jack!!!!!

Sep 20th 2008- Joe " the Deal " Heink 8-1, youngblood RJ Miller, and "No Quarter" Noland pull a perfect 3 wins
all over in Rd 1. The Highlander Fight Team led by BJJ Black Belt Mike Yanez moves his team to 98-23 and soon to that
ever 100th win! " three years ago if you said we would have a MMA team, let alone a good one? i would of said sure sounds good but how?" - Mike Yanez
well seems one things for sure, Highlander has one style a wining one, and any who have trained @ Highlander know this.
"Wining is just what we do!" - Joe "the deal" Heink
Upcoming Events
Oct 3rd Showcase of strength - Sheperdsville KY
Oct 11th Bushi Combat - Dayton Ohio
Oct 24th Legends of Fighting - Indy IN
Nov 1st xmma -Brandenburg KY
Dec 5th XFC Pay-per-view- Tampa Fl

RJ Miller

ICF crew

Joe Heink Victory

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Florida trip!

Highlander ( Joe Heink, mike yanez, CT Turner, RJ Miller, and Cody Kessinger went on a training trip.
along to support Turner in his XFC Fight, They trained @ Gracie Barra Tampa, Gracie Tampa , Team Popovitch's 2 schools
it was great for the students of old and new to train with each other under popovitch

just