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Instructors
Head Instructor - Dave Anderson
Dave has been training martial arts for over 35 years starting from a wrestling background and training Hisardut/Survival Defense) and Muay Thai in college. After college he started teaching Survival Defense and transitioned to Krav Maga while starting JiuJitsu and Judo. He later started One Spirit Martial Arts and built a strong name and community attracting top instructors worldwide to work with him. Maurce Allan, Aaron Riley and Pedro Sauer were just a few. Dave eventually sold OSMA to Professor Pedro Sauer but still maintained training there while also starting another mixed martial art gym in Alexandria called "Warrior Gym". Dave exited running the martial art business to focus on his full time job but later started a new club in Brambleton which turned into Loudoun County Combat Club and now Sparks. Dave has taught many military groups and federal agencies over the years and spent many weeks with the Royal Guards in Jordan helping set up a hand to hand program. Dave is a blackbelt in Survival Defense, Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu.
Head Instructor - Samuel "Muca" Canquerino
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Born and raised in southern Brazil, Coach Muca earned his black belt in 2008 and went on to help launch and coach within the UAE’s national jiu-jitsu movement—bringing world-class training into schools and developing athletes. As a competitor he captured the Abu Dhabi World Pro title (2012) and multiple IBJJF podiums, and he continues to mentor active competitors.
At Sparks, Muca blends elite technique with patient, encouraging instruction. New to jiu-jitsu? He’ll meet you where you are. Already training? Expect thoughtful details, strong fundamentals (he’s known for a sharp half-guard), and an emphasis on character—discipline, resilience, and respect—on and off the mat.
Highlights
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Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion (2012)
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IBJJF South American Champion; European No-Gi medalist
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Coach/consultant for the UAE national jiu-jitsu initiative
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Leads youth and adult classes; safety-first, family-friendly coaching
is committed to helping build the Sparks kids program and help the overall Sparks brand with kids/adults for Jiujitsu, Krav and anything else we pursue.
Instructor Aaron Riley
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Black Belt – Mixed Martial Arts | Boxing | Jiu-Jitsu | Wrestling | Judo
Aaron Riley is a retired professional mixed martial artist with a 16-year pro career and 45 professional fights across seven countries. A veteran of nine UFC bouts, he has also competed in organizations such as PRIDE FC (Japan), BodogFIGHT, and the International Fight League.
Training since 1990, Aaron’s background spans boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A Golden Gloves boxing champion and PRIDE FC winner, he earned a reputation for toughness, technical skill, and respect for the craft.
During his career, Aaron earned Fight of the Night honors in the UFC and faced many of the sport’s top names. He now brings that same depth of experience to coaching—emphasizing discipline, defense, and adaptability both in and out of the cage.
Highlights
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16-year professional MMA career with 45 pro fights across 7 countries
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9-time UFC veteran and PRIDE FC Champion (Japan)
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UFC Fight of the Night award winner
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Golden Gloves Boxing Champion
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Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Competed in boxing, wrestling, judo, kickboxing, and MMA
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Trained and competed with elite athletes worldwide
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Known for exceptional toughness, technique, and fight IQ
Use the below for the first page photo:
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16-year professional MMA career with 45 pro fights across 7 countries
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9-time UFC veteran and PRIDE FC Champion (Japan)
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UFC Fight of the Night award winner
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Golden Gloves Boxing Champion
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Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Competed in boxing, wrestling, judo, kickboxing, and MMA
Rich Maye
Coach Rich Maye was introduced to combat sports as a youth wrestler in PA. Rich trained and eventually taught Japanese Yoshin-Ryu Jujitsu, obtaining the rank of Black Belt 1st dan in 2002. Rich was especially drawn to the grappling aspects of traditional Jujitsu and dedicated his training to Brazilian Jiujitsu in 2003. Rich was awarded the Blue Belt from Royce Gracie in 2005. After relocating to Oregon, Rich was awarded the Purple Belt from Professor Michael Chapman in 2009. Following another relocation to Virginia, Rich was awarded the Brown Belt from Samuel Canquerino and Dave Anderson in 2022. Rich received his JiuJitsu Blackbelt on Oct 25 2025 from Sparks. Rich has been blessed to train with tremendous coaches and teammates on both coasts. Rich credits the world-class instruction at Sparks for fundamentally transforming his approach to training, coaching, and competing. Rich lives in Leesburg, Virginia with his wife and four children. Romans 10:9.
Coaching
YMCA JJJ/BJJ - PA 2004 - 2006
Coach of IMPACT’s Little Cubs - OR 2009-2012 (Presented with 1st Place Team trophy at the 2010 Oregon Open)
Sparks BJJ Mid-day and Morning - VA since 2022
Notable Competition History:
Blue Belt
2nd Pennsylvania State Jiujitsu Federation Championship (PA 2006)
3rd Western Regional Jiujitsu Championship (OR 2007)
Submission Wrestling League Championships (OR 2008 NOGI) 3rd Weight Division, 3rd Absolute Division
Purple Belt
2nd US OPEN (CA 2010) Master
1st PBJJF Virginia Open (VA 2022) Master
Brown Belt
1st IBJJF Virginia Open (VA 2024) Master
1st IBJJF Virginia Open (VA 2025) Master
1st IBJJF Virginia Summer Open (VA 2025) Master
1st COPA Spring (VA 2025) Absolute Master
Other
IBJJF Rules Certified
Submission Wrestling League Referee
COPA Tournaments Referee
VA DCJS Personal Protection Specialist