Meet Our Instructors

Absolute MMA’s coaching method

Our Coaching Method

The goal of our coaching method is to maximize the potential of every student and athlete. We focus on teaching proper technique, building strong fundamentals, and developing lasting skills.

Our instructors guide students through essential exercises, drills, and training methods while addressing each individual’s strengths and areas for improvement. This allows every student to develop a strategy based on their own abilities, while coaches provide detailed feedback to improve form, technique, and overall performance.

Our coaching philosophy is built on positive encouragement. We believe students perform best when they have confidence, mental clarity, and the motivation to keep improving. At Absolute MMA, we help every student train with purpose, build discipline, and reach their full potential.

Rob Handley

Professor Rob Handley

Professor Rob Handley has dedicated nearly 35 years to the study and practice of martial arts, building a lifetime of experience in both striking and grappling disciplines. His knowledge, leadership, and commitment to excellence form the foundation upon which Absolute MMA was built.

A true pioneer in the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts in Utah, Professor Handley has played a significant role in the growth of the sport throughout the state. He is the highest-ranking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner born in Utah, the first Utahn to represent the United States in international competition against Brazil, and the highest-ranking American-born student of Grand Master Flavio Behring.

Throughout his career, Professor Handley has served as a coach and instructor to numerous celebrities and professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball. For nearly a decade, he was contracted by the United States Department of Defense to provide combatives instruction to Special Forces personnel. He is also among a select group of civilians in the nation to have earned certification through the United States Army’s Modern Army Combatives Program.

Widely regarded as one of Utah’s premier coaches, Professor Handley has spent nearly twenty years developing athletes at every level of competition. His extensive expertise in Mixed Martial Arts, strength and conditioning, and technical skill development has enabled him to successfully coach everyone from first-time competitors to elite professional fighters competing on the world’s biggest stages, including the UFC.

Over the years, he has coached and trained many accomplished athletes, including UFC veterans Josh Burkman and Court “The Crusher” McGee, as well as former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner. In addition, he has helped develop countless amateur and professional fighters throughout Utah, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s combat sports community.

After nearly four decades devoted to martial arts, Professor Rob Handley has established himself as one of the most experienced and respected instructors in the country. His passion for teaching, commitment to preserving the traditions of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and Muay Thai with dedication to developing champions on and off the mat have made him a truly unique figure and a recognized authority in his field.

Kevin Kopaunik 

Kevin is known for his friendly demeanor and delivery of constructive criticism that translates to his teaching style.  He has a combined 35+ years of martial arts experience including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo,  Karate Shin Toshi, Akido and Wado Ryu Karate. 

Enjoying all martial arts, his focus has been on self-defense and styles that exemplify this combat quality.  He believes that the true test of any combat style is being able to put a full 100 percent effort into training live without hurting your training partner. 

That is where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo shine and where his passions lie.  Training at Absolute MMA and with Professor Rob Handley and Grandmaster Flavio Behring has added a level of technique, competence, family and friendship that he had no idea he could obtain. 

Samir Dzanic

Samir has been training at Absolute for many years but has been a member of Absolute for almost 15 years. He has raised his two sons in our program from the time they were 5 years old. He has been a consistent and positive influence on our team for many years. 

He is the strength behind our Friday evening Youth classes, a class in which he is 100% responsible for the organizing, coaching, instructing, educating and  motivating our junior members and athletes.  You’ll also find him filling in for our Adult classes when needed. He often gives up his Saturday’s to be matside coaching at every tournament that he is available to help with. 

Discipline, Hard work and Respect are the pillars upon which Samir shares his knowledge and experience with our youth BJJ program. He feels these virtues form the foundation of their martial art journey but also their lives outside the Academy. 

“As an Instructor, witnessing the students demonstrate the technical perfection we teach is no greater pleasure. It confirms that my time and effort are invested in something that I do with great pleasure and honor.” -Samir Dzanic

Lyndsie Peterson

Lyndsie’s approach to sharing jiu-jitsu is rooted in competition experience and a passion for helping others push themselves beyond what they think is possible. The lessons I’ve learned through competition have shaped my grappling style with an emphasis on practical techniques, problem-solving under pressure and building confidence.

Alongside Professor Handley I strive to create a positive learning environment where others feel challenged, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential both on and off the mats. 

Yanni Tsilis

Yanni has been training off and on at Absolute since 2006. He has been training in Muay Thai for nearly 18 years. While living in Washington DC he had 4 amateur MMA fights and did some Jiu Jitsu tournaments. Yanni has become our go to coach to help with the onboarding process of new students and our beginners for Muay Thai and MMA. 

He is known for his positive attitude towards life, training in the martial arts and the effect it has in our personal life. He is often complimented for his consistency and dedication to improve himself and everyone around him at Absolute. 

Yanni is a true Spartan. His Greek heritage and culture are part of who he is and what makes him special as a coach, instructor and teammate at Absolute.

Josh Jamias

Josh started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2017 and has earned his Purple Belt with one stripe under Professor Rob Handley. He loves seeing people grow into the best versions of themselves through combat sports and feels lucky to be part of Absolute MMA’s positive, team-first environment. Whether it’s jumping in as a training partner, cornering at a tournament, or just being a listening ear, Josh is always ready to support his teammates. For him, it’s simple—we take care of each other, we get stronger together, and we get better every day.

Robert Jamias

Robert Jamias is the other Robert and the other Jamias. A brown belt under Professor Robert Handley. He’s known for his contagious laughter and listening to yacht rock. Robert enjoys making new BJJ friends, exploring and trying new techniques, and getting food after a great training session. He is also know for his dislike for untrimmed nails, smelly Gi’s, and when people think his brother Josh is younger than him. Robert loves Absolute’s world-class instruction, facilities, and all the awesome people that make up Team Absolute. 

Corey Jefferson

Corey began training Muay Thai in the early 2000s under the Deth Ko Sin Combat Muay Thai system while stationed in San Diego, CA. A U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and molecular biologist, he brings discipline, adaptability, and an analytical approach to both coaching and fighting. Corey emphasizes honor, respect, and tradition, leading from the front by training alongside his students.

A lifelong student, he continues to refine his craft through seminars, training camps, and training at gyms across the nation while traveling for work. Corey is dedicated to growing the Muay Thai community in the Salt Lake Valley through collaboration and shared passion for the art.

    •    2× CSA Coaches Clinic Alumnus

    •    2003 US Muay Thai Open Amateur Champion (C-class, 40+)  

Chris Sanders

Chris has been training Muay Thai with us for a few years now. He’s become one of most dedicated members of Absolute.  Chris’s focus on Skill, Technique and Consistency have helped him become one of our most trusted members of the Coaching staff at Absolute.  His keeps his practice simple, honors the traditions of Muay Thai and leads from his experience. He’s attended the CSA Coaches Clinic a few times, a regular practice of continuing education for our Coaches at Absolute. Chris takes every opportunity to train with current and former legends of the sport.