Jesse Finney

Jesse is the owner of Finney’s MMA and also the Head Instructor and Trainer. Personally, he holds a kickboxing record of 23 – 0, a boxing record of 8 – 2, and an impressive Professional MMA record of 6 – 1.

He is a 2-time Strikeforce Veteran. His only loss in MMA was to 12-time UFC veteran Josh Neer. He also was the Head Coach of the St. Louis Enforcers who were a part of Chuck Norris’ World Combat League.

Rob Donaker

Rob is the Program Director for Finney’s MMA. He has been involved from the start of the program in 1998. He is responsible for setting class structure and schedule, as well as creating new classes and training. Rob works in the fitness kickboxing and boxing classes on a daily basis.

He specializes in working with new members, helping teach them proper technique, while making sure they feel comfortable in the gym. He also coordinates the strength and conditioning programs for all Finney’s fighters with upcoming fights.

Lucas Lopes

Lucas is the Head Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Finney’s MMA and is also one of the head trainers in the fighter development program. Lucas has his Black belt under Kiko France from Natal, Brazil. He brings a vast knowledge of Muay Thai and MMA to Finney’s MMA. Lucas made the move to Finney’s to give himself an edge in the MMA fight industry.

Born in Brazil, Lucas moved to the US in 2005, where he joined the American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL. Since then, he has fought in over 50 MMA fights. He is a NAGA Champion and placed 3rd to Rodger Gracie in the 2000 World Jiu-Jitsu Championships. He is one of the top 50 Pound for Pound 185 MMA fighters in the World, is a 3-time Strikeforce veteran, and has fought some of the top fighters in the world, including a win over Thiago Alves.

Ezra Lenon

Ezra brings his Jiu-Jitsu knowledge to Finney’s MMA from American Top Team and is a Black Belt under Francisco “Kiko” France, who received his Black Belt from Ricardo Liborio. Lenon recieved his black belt in under 5 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 has won numerous Absolute tournaments in 2010.

Erik Steenberg

Eric is the head standup instructor for Finney’s MMA. He comes to Finney’s with a wealth of knowledge in the fight game. He is an experience fitness trainer and has been a competitor since 2006. He started in kickboxing and made his way into MMA. He has since turned pro and has fought on Strikeforce.

Steve Mann

Steve comes to Finney’s from Burlington, IA where he was the Head Instructor at the American Pit Fights Academy. Steve has been training in Martial Arts since he was 4 yrs old, and is a 3rd Degree Blackbelt. He started in MMA when he was 17 yrs old and has since became a 7-time MMA Title holder. In 2011, Steve made the move to professional MMA and is one of the Midwest top prospects. He moved to St. Louis to further his MMA training, and also brings a vast amount of knowledge to Finney’s.

Kevin Engel

Kevin is one of the stand up and boxing coaches for Finney’s MMA. He has been with Finney’s MMA since 2001. Starting as a kickboxer, Kevin made his way through the amateur rankings, topping it off with a World Title in 2004. He has won more than 4 titles in his kickboxing career.

Kevin then moved into boxing where he made it to the Ringside National Tournament his first year. He followed that feat up with his professional debut, starting an impressive 13-0, and has since fought some of the top ranked fighers in the sport.

Kevin now holds a 17-4 record and is ranked in the top 30 in the world. Kevin has trained with top fighters including Kelly Pavlick, Jermaine Taylor, and Antonio Tarver. Kevin was a member of the WCL St. Louis Enforcers and helped lead them to a World Championship in 2007.

Adam Cella

Adam began training at the gym in search of better health and fitness. He has been with Finney’s since 2005 and, in those years, he has lost more than 45 lbs, while also developing the desire to take his traning further and compete.

He is a 2006 IKF World Classic Tournament Champion and 2008 Golden Gloves Champion in both novice and open. He was a 2008 National Golden Gloves qualifier. He was also a member of the World Combat League’s St. Louis Enforcers. Adam teaches kickboxing and boxing classes throughout the week.

Pat Benson

Pat has over 16 years of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA experience, on both amateur and professional levels.

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. He leads several of the MMA classes and supervises open mat times as well.

Ben Brown

Ben began his MMA training in 2003, and received his Purple Belt under Kiko France.

He was an All-State Wrestler for Lafayette High in 2003. Ben was an impressive 6-0 in amateur competition and had his pro debut in 2010, starting him off with a 1-0 record.

Ryan Sutton

Ryan is the head wrestling coach for Finney’s MMA.

Ryan’s wrestling career started in High School as a 3 time State Qualifier and 2 time State Medalist, reaching 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.

Brittany Anic

Brittany has been training at Finney’s since she was 9 years old. During that time, she won a US Kickboxing title and then transitioned to MMA.

She teaches the Mini-Finney’s program, because she identifies so well with kids. She teaches proper technique with an emphasis on discipline, attitude, and respect.

Brittany is 5-1 as an amateur is continuing to work extremely hard with a plan to move to professional fighting in 2011. She is currently ranked in the top 10 in the country at her weight class.

Rickey Bolin

Rickey brings a slightly different training set to Finney’s than some of the other instructors. Rickey comes from a strong Muay Thai background, and was a student of the Miletich Fighting System prior to coming to Finney’s.

Rickey has been fighting for over 3 years and has a goal of turning pro in 2011. Along with his extensive stand-up skills, Rickey also has his Blue Belt in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu.

Matt Saller

Matt joining Finney’s with a vast background in wrestling and jiu-jitsu.

Matt was on the All-Marine wrestling and tournament grappling team, and is a blue belt in jiu-jitsu.

As a fighter he is undefeated in his amateur career at 6-0 and is looking forward to turning pro in 2011.

Joel Blair

Joel comes to Finney’s from Jeff DeVore’s Academy of Martial Arts in Mt. Zion, IL, and was highly recommended by Master Instructor Jeff DeVore himself.

Joel is a registered amateur fighter for both the USA Boxing and USA Kickboxing Associations, as well as being a 2009 Golden Gloves boxing champion, and a 2009 Clash Cage MMA welterweight champion.

In addition to his own competition success, Joel also has significant prior experience as a youth boxing and kickboxing instructor, and will be helping with the Mini Finney’s program at the gym.