Meet Our Instructors

Absolute MMA’s coaching method

The goal of our coaching method is to maximize the potential of every student and athlete. We focus on teaching proper technique and developing good skills.

We direct all students and athletes through basic exercises and drills while addressing each individual’s strengths and weaknesses. This gives the student an opportunity to develop a strategy based on their skill while teachers critique form to ensure continued improvement.

Our coaching philosophy utilizes positive encouragement so our students and athletes can maintain the mental clarity and the drive necessary to succeed.

Rob Handley

Rob’s vast experience in teaching MMA, MMA training workouts, and MMA strength training make him one of the top coaches in Utah.

Rob has coached and taught many top-level athletes, including UFC fighters Josh Burkman, former UFC Middleweight Champion, Evan Tanner, and “The Ultimate Fighter” winner, Court “The Crusher” McGee. He’s also trained many other Utah fighters

Kevin Kopaunik 

Kevin is known for his friendly demeanor and delivery of constructive criticism that translates to his teaching style.  He has a combined 35+ years of martial arts experience including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo,  Karate Shin Toshi, Akido and Wado Ryu Karate. 

Enjoying all martial arts, his focus has been on self-defense and styles that exemplify this combat quality.  He believes that the true test of any combat style is being able to put a full 100 percent effort into training live without hurting your training partner. 

That is where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo shine and where his passions lie.  Training at Absolute MMA and with Professor Rob Handley and Grandmaster Flavio Behring has added a level of technique, competence, family and friendship that he had no idea he could obtain. 

Samir Dzanic

Samir has been training at Absolute for 10 years but has been a member of Absolute for almost 15 years. He has raised his two sons in our program from the time they were 5 years old. He has been a consistent and positive influence on our team for many years. 

He is the strength behind our Friday evening Youth classes, a class in which he is 100% responsible for the organizing, coaching, instructing, educating and  motivating our junior members and athletes.  You’ll also find him filling in for our Adult classes when needed. He often gives up his Saturday’s to be matside coaching at every tournament that he is available to help with. 

Discipline, Hard work and Respect are the pillars upon which Samir shares his knowledge and experience with our youth BJJ program. He feels these virtues form the foundation of their martial art journey but also their lives outside the Academy. 

“As an Instructor, witnessing the students demonstrate the technical perfection we teach is no greater pleasure. It confirms that my time and effort are invested in something that I do with great pleasure and honor.” -Samir Dzanic

Thomas Prestreidge

Coach Thomas has been training at Absolute since he was 18 years old. He is a product and combination of all the great things at Absolute. Over the years Thomas has been an instrumental member of our MMA program. A champion in and outside of the cage, holding an extensive amateur and pro MMA career while collecting a few Championship belts along the way. 

Known for his dedication, discipline and hard work. He is always willing to help others, whether it be to hold pads for Muay Thai, wrestle and grapple during wall drills or just get in some hard grappling rounds during Jiu Jitsu. He’s a great teammate through and through. 

He is one of the most dedicated instructors we have at Absolute. He’s willing to cover for any of our coaches or classes at any time. He has become one of our most trusted members and he uses that opportunity to be a good example to others.

Yanni Tsilis

Yanni has been training off and on at Absolute since 2006. He has been training in Muay Thai for nearly 18 years. While living in Washington DC he had 4 amateur MMA fights and did some Jiu Jitsu tournaments. Yanni has become our go to coach to help with the onboarding process of new students and our beginners for Muay Thai and MMA. 

He is known for his positive attitude towards life, training in the martial arts and the effect it has in our personal life. He is often complimented for his consistency and dedication to improve himself and everyone around him at Absolute. 

Yanni is a true Spartan. His Greek heritage and culture are part of who he is and what makes him special as a coach, instructor and teammate at Absolute.