Founder / Professor / 2nd Degree Black Belt

A lifelong martial artist, Danian began training in 1989, and over the course of his life obtained black belts in Goju Ryu Japanese Karate, Korean Taekwondo, and Martial Science. In pursuit of further developing his skill set, he began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2004 and eventually was awarded the rank of 2nd degree black belt. Danian possesses a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and has been a physical education teacher for the past 18 years. Danian passionately has been teaching martial arts for the past 35 years and is the proud father of 3 children, all of which train Jiu-Jitsu. Alongside his wife, they proudly advocate for people with developmental disabilities and work closely with Texas Partners in Policymaking.

Professor / Black Belt

Fueled by her competitive nature, Kay sought out a new challenge in the form of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She has been training for the past 14 years and is the most recent black belt produced by Checkmat South Texas. Kay possesses a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is a school teacher with 12 years experience. Kay utilizes her experience as a teacher to adapt to different learning styles while instilling in her students values such as discipline, respect, and good sportsmanship. Kay leads our Women’s Self-Defense course and encourages women of all ages to train Jiu-Jitsu. She is the proud mother of 3 and has been training them since childhood. Alongside her husband, they proudly advocate for people with developmental disabilities and work closely with Texas Partners in Policymaking.

1st Degree Black Belt / MMA Pro / Professor

The life changing moment that sparked DJ Fuentes’ passion for martial arts happened by mere coincidence. After witneesing a friend walking to Karate practice he made it his mission to wear a gi. In his youth he actively competed in a wide range of sports, but his passion became Goju Ryu Karate. He would earn his Karate black belt at the age of 14. His competitive nature led to him traveling the United States competing against the best Karate technicians.

His reputation spread throughout the Rio Grande Valley and would eventually result in an encounter with a World Champion Karate fighter; Danian Torres. At the age of 16, he sought a new venture in the form of teaching karate. This would develop into a partnership with Danian; where they taught alongside one another, actively learning and sparring with each other. It was at this time when DJ began a new challenge in the form of professional kickboxing.

Danian was a pivotal figure in Dj’s formative years, it was Danian who introduced the  striker to the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Initially he opposed the ground game, but a humbling moment occurred where he was swiftly man handled by a Jiu-Jitsu black belt. At 19, his ambitions shifted towards developing his Jiu-Jitsu game. He quickly progressed and earned his blue belt within a year of training.

Dj found great joy in martial arts, actively challenging himself and surpassing limitations. He gained inspiration from his love for martial arts movies. With his skills as a striker and developing Jiu-Jitsu game, he sought to test his skills in the form of mixed martial arts. He became obsessed with the idea of becoming a true well rounded martial artist. The MMA scene in the Rio Grande Valley was still in it’s infancy, so this meant having to fight opposition from foreign territories. As he gained experience, the opportunity arose to become one of the first to fight for the South Texas Fighting League. DJ is a proud innovator and founding father of South Texas MMA; an honor he holds close to his heart.

Fighting is a terrifying experience, this requires confidence that can only be gained through training. He actively sought the best training possible. When the opportunity to train with some of the best MMA practitioners arose he jumped on the chaance and relocated to Illinois to train at the HIT Squad; otherwise known as Matt Hughes’ Intensive Training. On a daily basis he was taught by legends and trained alongside up and coming fighters seeking to establish themselves. This arc in his life taught him essential lessons of teamwork and sacrifice.

Upon returning to the Rio Grande Valley, DJ began operating his own MMA training facility which focused on community outreach in Los Fresnos by offering free lessons to underprivileged youth. At this point DJ was a credentialed MMA champion still seeking to fight, but ultimately this stage in his life led to him reevaluating his trajectory. He slowed down his fighting career and passionately devoted more time towards coaching. Martial arts was primarily a formative path and outlet as opposed to a sport to him. He found guidance and dedication on the mats, which he loves to share with his own students. The twilight of his MMA career was marked with wins and losses, but it became evident that his body and mind could no longer perform at the highest level of MMA. The final fight of his career was cornered by his long time mentor, sparring partner, and friend Danian Torres. Following the conclusion of his career, it was difficult to readjust back to civilian life, but he found a sense of belonging in his students and actively competing on the IBJJF circuit.

When the COVID pandemic struck, he sought an opportunity to grow his business and purchased a Jiu-Jitsu academy in New Braunfels to further establish himself. While concurrently operating that business, he ventured to train at the world renowed B-Team Academy in Austin,Tx. He became a full fledged member of the team and trained frequently with some of the best in the world. This pivotal moment changed his jiu-jitsu and life forever.

DJ returned to the Rio Grande Valley to raise his son closer to his family. He passionately wants to share his knowledge with the community.  He is proud to call Checkmat South Texas his home and is grateful to once again teach alongside his longtime mentor. He takes pride in seeing his son step on the mats and hopes to instill lessons of humility, confidence, and dedication through Jiu-Jitsu. He intends to train martial arts for the rest of his life and has ambitions of winning a IBJJF World Title one day. His greatest legacy will be developing the next generation of martial artists.

Professor / !st Degree Black Belt

A black belt with 15 years experience on the mat, Rico was the first black belt under the lineage of Danian Torres. His interest in Jiu-Jitsu began at a young age, as an avid wrestler and passionate fan of early mixed martial arts fights. As the father of 5 young girls, he makes it a point to teach his daughters a self-defense system. Jiu-Jitsu has granted his daughters the ability to mature and learn lessons of perseverance, determination, and discipline.

Professor / Black Belt

Originally from China, in 2004 Peng moved to the United States at the age of 17. He would soon enlist in the Army with the hopes of establishing a better life. In 2009, he marries his wife, whom he previously had met while in China. In 2010, while on deployment in the Middle East, Peng was hit by an IED. He sustained traumatic injuries to his hand, arm, neck, and back. The following years would be difficult, as he spent the next 3 years in the hospital undergoing 6 surgeries. He was awarded a Purple Heart and is a retired combat veteran. The toll on the body was difficult, the aches and pains spiraled into him gaining over 60 pounds. In 2015, after years of being an avid mixed martial arts fan, Peng turned to Jiu-Jitsu at Peak Performance in Wautage, Tx. Early on he knew his injuries would limit him, so he looked towards teaching. He fell in love with problem solving and learning new techniques. He spent in 9 years at Peak Performance, before he moved his family to Pharr and Checkmat South Texas. Alongside his Wife and two children, they enjoy the Mexican border towns and the Mexican cultural emphasis it has on family ideals. Peng is a passionate Professor who encourages people to ask questions and works alongside them to problem solve. He hopes he has an impact on people learning the complexity that is Jiu-Jitsu. “By learning jiu-jitsu you learn to operate under pressure in stressful situations, while learning problem solving and humbleness”.

Instructor / Brown Belt

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Aj’s path in combat sports was filled with amateur MMA fights, kickboxing, and Muay Thai bouts, but ultimately he chose the path of being a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He often competes in IBJJF competitions and is an avid outdoorsman. As a father he takes great pride in teaching his two children life lessons through Jiu-Jitsu. Whether it be on or off the mat, Jiu-Jitsu has afforded his children the ability to confidently defend themselves, while learning alongside their father. 

Coach / Blue Belt

The son of two black belts, Ryan has spent a lifetime on the mats learning the gentle art. He actively competes on the IBJJF circuit, with the intention of growing and establishing himself as an elite grappler.