Mike Powell

Mike Powell began his martial arts journey in 2006 as a wrestler for A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Training under Jerome Davis and Brian Ceresa, he earned All-Conference honors and was recognized as Most Improved Wrestler — building the competitive foundation that would shape his career.

After two seasons in wrestling, Mike transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Joe Hurst Jiu-Jitsu in Concord, NC. He entered his first tournament in 2008 and quickly became a consistent presence on the local competition circuit.

In 2010, Mike made his amateur MMA debut with Fight Lab Promotions, capturing two amateur titles in the same year — the Scrap Live 155-pound Championship and the Fight Lab 145-pound Championship. Known early in his career for aggressive finishes and opportunistic attacks, his competitive style has since evolved into one rooted in control, pace, and positional dominance.

In 2014, Mike returned to North Carolina and committed to coaching full time while continuing to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts. With over a decade of full-time coaching experience, his approach centers on proficiency, rule set awareness, and technical understanding. He emphasizes relentless pace, constant pressure, and fundamentals that hold up under resistance — not flashy one-off techniques that fail when it matters.

Mike was awarded his black belt in 2020 under Rubao Carioca. As Head Coach at Honest Grappling Company, he leads with a specific set of standards and direct expectations. The room is hard-nosed and focused in competition. The work comes first. While the adult classes carry personality and intensity, the culture remains disciplined, accountable, and family-oriented.

He continues to compete whenever possible and is proud to train and represent alongside the Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy , with special appreciation for John Piper and his continued support throughout the journey.

Above all, Mike is committed to building a room where hard work is expected, growth is earned, and standards are never compromised.