TIM LAJCIK 2009:  "Jeff's passion for combative arts was evident 20 years ago when I was one of his college wrestling coaches. Even as he developed into a world-class wrestler, Jeff's pursuit of excellence in other forms of striking and grappling continued. I've competed in and instructed mixed martial arts all over the country and abroad and have yet to encounter a fighter or coach whose depth and breadth of fighting knowledge surpasses Jeff's. Now, twenty years later, I count Jeff as my most trusted coach."

"Jeff's knowledge surpasses anyone in the MMA. I learn something new every time I work with him. He is the real deal without question, and would give any MMA fighter all they could handle."

RANDY COUTURE 2004:  "If you live in AZ, you have to train with Jeff Funicello. He knows his stuff."

Z Durham: US Army, 5th Group Special Forces SFG (A) (ODA) Team member: 8 Deployments "The hand-to-hand combat we learned from Jeff Funicello and his American Pankration group was incredible. The Close Quarter Battle (CQB) that Funicello taught us was greatly needed, and is crucial for our survivability in combat situations."

Chael Sonnen: UFC #1 contender, US Olympic Alternate (Greco-Roman), NCAA all American "Jeff Funicello is a true ambidextrious fighter. He can attack from anywhere. It is amazing to watch him, and his transitions back and forth are incredible."

"We didn't know what MMA even was until Jeff showed us. He was way ahead of his time. There are a few guys out there who you seldom hear about who would have easily taken the title, but they don't because they are not in it for glory or money; they have other reasons. I certainly never encouraged him to compete because he would have been in my weight class!"

Heath Sims: US 2000 Olympian (Greco-Roman) wrestling, US National Champion, Former head DSWC Coach, Pancrase Champion, Sport-fight Champion, Team Quest Partner "Jeff Funicello is definitely an MMA pioneer. He was ahead of his time. Jeff, Dan, and I wrestled together at ASU in the early 90's. He was doing the sport, and had his club way back then. We had never even heard of it until Jeff. He is very well rounded. His conditioning is incredible. It amazes people when they see what he is capable of. When they see him train in the gym with Dan, people are always asking me; "why doesn't he fight?""

"Jeff is amazingly well rounded. He has developed nearly every aspect of his fighting including Boxing, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Submission wrestling, Judo, Kickboxing, and Sambo. What's worse is Jeff is a true ambidextrous fighter."

"Jeff is one of the best MMA instructors out there." "He is not only accomplished in the parts of MMA such as Greco-Roman Wrestling, Submission wrestling, Judo, Kickboxing, Sambo, but has won world medals in some."

Dan Henderson: 2X Pride Champion, 2X US Olympian (1992 & 1996), Vale Tudo Champion, US National Champion, Former UFC #1 Contender, Strike Force #1 Contender "Jeff first introduced me to MMA while I was teammates with him at ASU. He's been a great training partner for wrestling and fighting ever since. Jeff is tough from every position, and really knows the sport." "He has an endless arsenal of tools. He's really tough."

Kenny Owens: 5th Group SF Combative Instructor Former US Army WCAP & USMC WCAP Wrestler "Jeff & I were old training partners. I saw the work he did with Randy Couture and Dan Henderson. I brought him out to work with 5th Group, and he exceeded my expectations." He keeps it simple yet adds an element to combative training that was missing before." "The work American Pankration did with 5th Group is so valuable to individual soldier's safety."

Dan "The Beast" Severn: UFC Champion "Thanks Jeff, for helping me prepare for my first UFC title."

Kevin Jackson: 1992 US Olympic Gold Medalist, US National Champion, UFC Champion, US National Team Coach "Jeff helped me prepare and make the necessary transitions from a wrestler to a fighter." "Funicello is a real pioneer. He really knows his stuff."

Shannon "The Cannon" Ritch MMA Hall of Fame, UFC veteran, Pride veteran, Abu Dhabi veteran "He's got the most powerful jab I've ever felt. He's one of the best MMA practitioners I've ever seen. I can't believe he doesn't fight in the UFC." "I'm a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and he mauls me." "I feel like a fish out of water when I go with him."

Mike McClure: Mesa P.D. officer & Mesa P.D. Academy Instructor "He's the toughest trainer out there. You can start in any position with him. It doesn't matter, he'll get out. He'll submit you from anywhere." "His grappling and wrestling is insane, and his strikes are just as good."

Eric Paulson: MMA coach for UFC athletes "Jeff Funicello is one of the best MMA practitioners out there. He is always on the cutting edge off MMA techniques." "His style of fighting at American Pankration is a complete MMA package." "They are light years ahead of others in the MMA world." "He's powerful in every position, and is an absolute savage and is the go to guy in Arizona."

Rulon Gardener: 2000 US Olympic Gold Medalist, 2001 World Champion, 2004 US Olympic Bronze Medalist, US National Champion, 2005 Pride Fighting Champion "Jeff and I were team-mates and training partners for years. We shared the same coach since 1995. Jeff is so well rounded and has so many tools. If I would have bet who would be the guy in MMA: Randy, Dan, or Jeff I would have said Jeff."

Rico Chiporelli: RAW MMA Coach/Owner, US National Wrestling Champion "Jeff Funicello is the real deal and is capable of winning a UFC title."

Aaron Simpson: UFC Veteran, 2000 & 2004 US Olympic Alternate (Freestyle Wrestling). "Jeff is a great mentor of mine, and I will never forget how much he has helped me grow as an athlete. I am proud to have trained with him and to call him a friend."

Jamie Varner: UFC Veteran, WEC Champion. "I really have Jeff Funicello to thank for getting me to the next level. He helped me turn the corner and completely changed my game; after spending time with him in one day, I became a whole new fighter! I'm so thankful for that meeting."