Highlander MMA & Gracie Jiu Jitsu

of Mixed Martial Arts as well as classes that focus exclusively on Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, boxing / Submission Grappling, and Wrestling. Professor Mike Yanez
4th degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu BLACK BELT under Pablo Popovitch and Jorge Popovitch
MMA Coach/manager
Owner and Founder of HIGHLANDER MMA TAMPA

"Earning my black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from legendary world champion Pablo Popovitch and his father Jorge Popovitch – I firmly believe that my training qualifications and career résumé speak for themselves; no trainer wins 101 of his first 131 fights on a fluke. The Mixed Martial Arts are my one true passion, and I’m 100% dedicated to transforming dedicated fighters into unstoppable world champions." "A rising superstar trainer like Mike Yanez don’t come around every day. It’s not just the lineage of his BJJ black belt that makes him so special – it’s his uncanny ability to motivate young talent, instill his technical mastery in his pupils, and develop a program that wins nearly 80% of its matches. Look, there might not be any shortcuts to success in this sport, but Yanez sure makes the path a heck of a lot shorter." -MMA JUNKIE

"Mike is like a brother to me. He is a great coach and doing a fantastic job in Tampa. To have so many successful students brings me great joy." - Pablo Popovitch