Neil Melanson
Encyclopedia
Neil Melanson is the Head Grappling coach at Xtreme Couture Las Vegas
. His official title on Randy Couture
's official website is head Jiu Jitsu Coach. Melanson specializes in Jiu jitsu
, catch wrestling
, guard
, leg locks and triangle chokes. He has trained under Gene LeBell
, Gokor Chivichyan
, and Karo Parisyan
(who awarded him his black belt
). Melanson splits his time between the operations of the Xtreme Couture Las Vegas Grappling Program, cornering and training professional Mixed Martial Artists
, and training students.
Among his professional fighters are: Randy Couture
, Karo Parisyan
, Gray Maynard
, Todd Duffee
, Goran Reljic
, Chael Sonnen
, Vitor Belfort
, and others.
Melanson also has worked with WWE professional wrestler Daniel Bryan
.
Prior to working at Xtreme Couture Las Vegas, Melanson spent seven years in the United States Navy
and five years as a Special Agent for the Federal Air Marshals
.
Melanson's book "Triangles from the Guard" is set to be released shortly by Victory Belt Publishing. The book will serve as a complete guide to the physiology and science of triangle submissions.
in a private ceremony on November 20, 2009. The couple is currently going through a divorce. Melanson was born with Behcet’s disease which caused him to go blind at the age of 28. With the help of doctors and Remicade Infusions, he regained sight but only in his right eye.
Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts
Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts is a mixed martial arts training organization headed by former UFC Champion and former co-founder of Team Quest, Randy Couture. Xtreme Couture was founded with the flagship gym in Las Vegas...
. His official title on Randy Couture
Randy Couture
Randy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
's official website is head Jiu Jitsu Coach. Melanson specializes in Jiu jitsu
Jiu jitsu
Jiu jitsu or jiu-jitsu may refer to:*Jujutsu, martial art from Japan consisting of grappling and striking techniques*Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, martial art and combat sport, focuses on ground grappling, commonly used in mixed martial arts competitions...
, catch wrestling
Catch wrestling
Catch wrestling is a style of folk wrestling that was developed and popularised in the late 19th century by the wrestlers of traveling carnivals who incorporated submission holds, or "hooks", into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents...
, guard
Guard (grappling)
The guard is a ground grappling position where one combatant has their back to the ground, while attempting to control the other combatant using the legs...
, leg locks and triangle chokes. He has trained under Gene LeBell
Gene LeBell
Ivan Gene LeBell is a former American Judo champion, instructor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. LeBell has worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows, and has authored a number of books.In 2000, he was promoted to 9th Dan in US Ju-Jitsu...
, Gokor Chivichyan
Gokor Chivichyan
Gokor Chivichyan is an Armenian Judo, submission grappling, and mixed martial arts instructor. Gokor currently trains professional and amateur fighters at the Hayastan MMA Academy in North Hollywood. Chivichyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia....
, and Karo Parisyan
Karo Parisyan
Karapet Parisyan is an Armenian-American mixed martial artist. From his days as a UFC mainstay Karo holds notable wins over Ryo Chonan, Shonie Carter, Drew Fickett, Matt Serra, Nick Thompson, Chris Lytle, Nick Diaz and Antonio McKee.- Early life:...
(who awarded him his black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
). Melanson splits his time between the operations of the Xtreme Couture Las Vegas Grappling Program, cornering and training professional Mixed Martial Artists
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
, and training students.
Among his professional fighters are: Randy Couture
Randy Couture
Randy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
, Karo Parisyan
Karo Parisyan
Karapet Parisyan is an Armenian-American mixed martial artist. From his days as a UFC mainstay Karo holds notable wins over Ryo Chonan, Shonie Carter, Drew Fickett, Matt Serra, Nick Thompson, Chris Lytle, Nick Diaz and Antonio McKee.- Early life:...
, Gray Maynard
Gray Maynard
Bradley Gray Maynard is an American amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist, who competes as a lightweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has recorded one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history, at 9 seconds against Joe Veres. He is the only fighter to hold a win over current...
, Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division. Duffee fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship until his surprise release in September 2010, which came as a result of an apparent dispute with UFC President Dana White.-Background:Duffee was born in...
, Goran Reljic
Goran Reljic
Goran Reljić is a Croatian professional mixed martial artist. Reljić was recently released from the Ultimate Fighting Championship after fighting in their middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.-Mixed martial arts career:...
, Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen
Chael Patrick Sonnen is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at the University of Oregon, a two-time University Greco national champion as well as the 85.0 kg silver medalist at...
, Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort
Vítor Vieira Belfort is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Belfort was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied jiu-jitsu with the Gracie family, namely Carlson Gracie. He received a black belt under Carlson and currently trains with Xtreme Couture, fighting in...
, and others.
Melanson also has worked with WWE professional wrestler Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan
Colonel Dan Bryan was an officer in the Irish Army and head of G2 during World War II, known in neutral Ireland as "The Emergency"....
.
Prior to working at Xtreme Couture Las Vegas, Melanson spent seven years in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and five years as a Special Agent for the Federal Air Marshals
Sky marshal
A sky marshal is an undercover law enforcement or counter terrorist agent on board a commercial aircraft to counter aircraft hijackings...
.
Melanson's book "Triangles from the Guard" is set to be released shortly by Victory Belt Publishing. The book will serve as a complete guide to the physiology and science of triangle submissions.
Personal life
Melanson married female mma fighter Erin ToughillErin Toughill
Erin Young Toughill is a mixed martial artist and former boxer.She began kickboxing at the age of 18 and started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu soon after....
in a private ceremony on November 20, 2009. The couple is currently going through a divorce. Melanson was born with Behcet’s disease which caused him to go blind at the age of 28. With the help of doctors and Remicade Infusions, he regained sight but only in his right eye.