Jesse Finney
Jesse is the owner of Finney’s MMA and also the Head Instructor. He also is fighter with a kickboxing record of 23 - 0, and a boxing record of 8 - 2, along with his impressive Professional MMA record of 6 - 0. He is a 2-time Strikeforce Veteran. He also is the Head Coach of the St. Louis Enforcers who are a part of Chuck Norris’s World Combat League.
Rob Donaker
Rob is the Vice President and General Manager of Finney’s MMA. He has been involved from the start of the program since 1998. He also heads up the class structure and creating new classes and curriculums. Rob works with the fitness kickboxing and boxing classes on a daily basis. Rob specializes in working with new individuals with no experience to ensure good technique and to make new people comfortable. He also works with the fighters with strength and conditioning for their upcoming fights.
Ezra Lenon
Ezra brings his Jiu-Jitsu knowledge to Finney’s MMA from American Top Team and is the head jiu-jitsu and ground trainer for all programs. He is a Brown Belt under Francisco “Kiko” France, who received his Black Belt from Ricardo Liborio. Ezra received his Brown Belt in 4 years. Some of Ezra’s accomplishments include: 2010 Arnold Grappling Championship Absolute Champion, 2010 Pan Best Of The Best Absolute Gi Champion, 4 Time Arnold Grappling Championship Advanced Division No Gi Winner, 8 Time NAGA Champion, 2010 Missouri State BJJ Championship Super fight Champion, and was Ranked #1 Grappler In State Of Missouri In 2006 .
Lucas Lopes
Lopes brings a vast knowledge of Muay Thai and MMA to Finney’s MMA. Lucas made the move to Finney’s MMA to better himself in the MMA fight industry. Born in Brazil Lucas made the move to the US in 2005, where he joined American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL. Since then he has earned his Brown Belt in Jiu-Jitsu and has fought in over 50 MMA fights. He is a NAGA Champion and placed 2nd to Rodger Gracie. He is one of the top 50 Pound for Pound 185 MMA fighters in the World.
Isaiah Larson
Isaiah brings to Finney’s MMA a World Class knowledge of wrestling. He is a 5-time Greco All American, a Greco National Champion, 2-time NCAA National Qualifier, Jiu-jitsu Purple Belt. He also has over 25 years of wrestling experience and over 30 MMA fights. Isaiah has personally lost over 140 lbs through his training and attributes it all to the MMA training he does.
Pat Benson
Pat teaches the classes where technique and form are mastered. Pat has over 15 years of Jiu-Jitsu and has numerous amateur and professional MMA fights. He was an Abu Dhabi USA trials finalist, a Gracie Nationals Champion, 3-time Missouri Greco Champion, 2-time Missouri Free Style Champion, and a Music City Grapplers Tournament Champion where he fought to a draw with UFC fighter Hermes Franka. He also is a Strikeforce MMA veteran
Kevin Engel
Kevin one of the stand up and boxing coach for Finney’s MMA. He has been with Finney’s MMA for over 8 years. He started as a kickboxer and made his way through the amateur rankings making his way to a World Title in 2004. Along the way he won more than 4 titles. Kevin then moved into boxing where he made it to the Ringside National tournament his first year. Not too long after that he made his pro debut and stayed undefeated up until 13-0. Kevin has since made his way into the top 30 in the world. He goes to camp 6 weeks before each boxing match and trains with Jack Lowe, who also trains Kelly Pavlick. Kevin has trained with top fighters including Kelly Pavlick, Jermaine Taylor, and Antonio Tarver. Kevin stays true to his background and is a member of the WCL St. Louis Enforcers and who he helped lead to a World Championship in 2007.
Adam Cella
Adam came into the gym for the fitness and health aspect of the training. He has been with Finney’s for over 4 years and in those years he has lost of 45 lbs, then he started to focus on competing. Adam teaches kickboxing and boxing classes throughout the week. He is a 2006 IKF World Classic Tournament Champion, 2008 Golden Gloves Champion in both novice and open. He was a 2008 National Golden Gloves qualifier. He also is a member of the World Combat League’s St. Louis Enforcers.
Jimmy Donahue
Jimmy comes from a wrestling background and has made the transition into MMA starting with boxing and kickboxing and now jiu-jitsu. Jimmy is one of the instructors for the group classes at Finney’s MMA. He has been training for over 4 years and has help many fighters get their start with the basic fundamentals of boxing and kickboxing. Jimmy also has seen the top contenders in kickboxing, not only training with them, but also he has fought in the World Combat League. Jimmy has over 20 fights between MMA, Boxing, and Kickboxing and teaching what he has learned to the classes he teaches. Jimmy started at 17yrs old with the idea of self defense to defend himself. His dedication to training with top professionals at Finney’s MMA has him turning pro at just 22 years old.
Ben Brown
Ben began his MMA training in 2003, and has attained his Purple Belt under Kiko France. He was also All-State Wrestler for Lafayette High in 2003. Ben currently holds an impressive Amateur record of 6 – 0. He is turning pro in late 2010.
Ryan Sutton
Ryan’s wrestling career started in High School as a 3 time State Qualifier and 2 time State Medalist, and holding 130 varsity wins with the St. Louis Blue Chip Team. Throughout his college career he held such titles as NJCAA All American, NCAA Division 1 Starter, and 3 time FILA University Greco Roman All American.
Booker DeRousse
Booker is one of the ground trainers at Finney’s MMA. His strong wrestling background gives him a great knowledge of control. Booker is a 2-time Strikeforce veteran and has many MMA fights in his career.
Brittany Anic
Brittany has been training at Finney’s since she was 9 yrs old. Since then she has won a US Kickboxing title and has made the transition to MMA. She teaches the Mini-Finney’s program, because she identifies so well with kids. She teaches how her lifestyles; discipline, attitude, and respect were impacted by the Finney’s program. Brittany is 3-0 as an amateur and her hard work ethic has allowed her to make the transition to professional fighting later in 2010.
Michelle Jewel-Schnicker
Michelle has been in the fitness industry for over 10 yrs. She has numerous group fitness licenses and also is a certified personal trainer. She has been involved with the fitness kickboxing classes at Finney’s for years. She is an instructor in the Mini-Finney’s program and has her own children in the classes.
Harold Petty
Harold is one of the boxing coaches for Finney’s MMA. He has been involved with St. Louis Boxing for over 20 years, and has been involved in the training of many top boxers coming out of St. Louis.
