Vinnie began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1997 at The Ultima under Pedro Sauer and Charles Allen. He competed in numerous local and regional tournaments between 1997 and 2003 and won Gold every time he competed. Due to the demands of a very successful family business; Mama's Famous Pizza and a growing family, Vinnie took time off from training in 2009 to devote more time to his wife and three children while continuing to juggle the demands of their growing family business. In 2012, Vinnie got back on the mat and reunited with longtime friends at Primero. He now trains under Gustavo Dantas; Gustavo Dantas Jiu Jitsu and Nova Uniao USA. Vinnie has been instructing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Tucson since 2003.
Our Instructors
Vinnie Spina
Senior Instructor
Joe Solorio
Senior Instructor
Joe began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2003 at The Ultima under Pedro Sauer, Charles Allen and Vinnie Spina. He now trains under Gustavo Dantas Jiu Jitsu and Nova Uniao USA. He recently won a Silver medal at the 2013 Pan American Senior Championships and a Silver medal at the 2012 IBJJF Senior World Championships. He also won Gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Senior Championships and the 2006 Arizona State BJJ Championships. Joe was head wrestling coach at Pima Community College (1998-2007) and 2002 NJCAA National Wrestling Coach of the Year. He was a 2002 USA Wrestling Veterans National Champion, a two time NCAA National Qualifier and two time Pac-10 Medalist at Arizona State University (1980-81), an NJCAA All American at Phoenix College (1979), Arizona State Wrestling Champion at Sunnyside High (1976). In 2011 he was inducted into the Arizona Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He has coached and mentored several individuals who have gone on to become Professional MMA Fighters and/or Top Level Grapplers including; Anthony Birchak, Efrain Escudero, Jesse Forbes, Danny Martinez, Joe Montoya, Kobe Ortiz, James Terry, Jamie Varner, Mark Vujovic and Joe Yager. Joe has been on the mat since 1971 and instructing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2008.
Tim Roberson
Senior Instructor
Tim began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007 at Ricardo Almeida Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in New Jersey under Ricardo Almeida and Steve Bongiorno. He became a member of Primero in 2010 and now trains under Gustavo Dantas; Gustavo Dantas Jiu Jitsu and Nova Uniao USA. Tim has competed in numerous competitions and most recently won Silver medals in his divisions at the Southwest Classic and the Arizona International Open, plus a Bronze medal in the same tournament in the Absolute/Unlimited weight division. He has also trained in boxing and mixed martial arts. Tim has been instructing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Tucson since 2011.
