NTMMA Instructors
Head Coach & Owner Tery Corkran
In 1990 Tery started training in American kickboxing, Muay Thai kickboxing and Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do. He then started competing and won in full contact kickboxing in 1993 in the late Walt Mason’s, T.A.C.K.A. (Texas amateur contact karate association). After watching Royce Gracie from Brazil’s Gracie Jiu-Jitsu totally dominate any black belt or pro fighter at the 1st UFC (ultimate fighting championship), a no holds barred competition, Tery started training in the only Ju-Jitsu school in his area. Mr. Corkran received his black belt in 1996 in Japanese Jukido Jitsu. In November of 1995 Tery found out that the multi world Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion, and 5th degree black belt at that time instructor Carlos Machado, cousin to the legendary Gracie’s, moved to Dallas and was teaching at Chuck Norris’s Walker Texas Ranger studio. Tery immediately started training with Mr. Machado. Mr. Corkran currently is still training under Carlos Machado and is a 3rd Degree Black Belt. He also is still training American kickboxing and Muay Thai kickboxing.
Tery has competed in several Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, and has only lost one match. He received his Black Belt from Carlos Machado on October 19th 2002. Tery was one of 8 black belts living in the state of Texas, and one of under 100 living in the US at that time. Tery won 3 GOLD MEDALS in the 2001 and 2002 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan American championships in Florida at the age of 38 and 39. Tery tries to associate himself with teachers that are well known for their talent and proving themselves in competition as world champions, such as Carlos Machado and his brothers.
Mr. Corkran has also had great success in teaching children, women and men at his school North Texas MMA, in Flower Mound Texas. Tery opened the Academy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1998 and was one of the first schools in Texas to teach MMA to children and adults. In 2007, the Academy expanded into North Texas Mixed Martial Arts. Along with the best team MMA record in the Metroplex, Tery strives to provide one of the best standup and ground training schools in the Metroplex. He sets high standards for his children’s classes and in September of 2001, was awarded the “Children’s Empowerment Award” by the Mayor of Lewisville Texas. Tery has trained a lot of children and adults that have competed and won many Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.
Movies Tery has acted in “The Prodigy” and “Sinners and Saints”
Coach Matt Larey
Matt Lary is a black belt under Tery Corkran. Matt manages North Texas MMA, and teaches kids, teens and adults Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Boxing classes. Probably one of the best submission artists in the area, whenever Matt teaches you are sure to see something new and innovative. Along with his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Matt has trained Boxing for many years with many champions. His knowledge of boxing has become technical and vast. Matt is a state certified school teacher and has taught for many years.
- 2001 White Belt Winter Wars Gold
- 2001 White Belt Smackdown in H-Town Gold
- 2002 White Belt Travis Lutter Invitational Gold/Blue Belt Silver
- 2002 Blue Belt Winter Wars Gold
- 2002 Smackdown in H-Town Silver
- 2002 Pan- Ams Competitor
- 2003 Purple Belt Winter Wars Silver
- 2005 Purple Belt Absolute Winter Wars Silver
- American Badass Lightweight-MMA winner over Cody Walker (Lion’s Den)
- 2007 Brown Belt Winter Wars Bronze
- 2008 Brown Belt Winner Wars Bronze
- 2008 Trained at Garland Police Boxing
- 2008-2010 Taught at Faixa Preta-Marcelo Garcia Affiliated along with seminars
- 2009 Naga Expert Masters 139 and under Gold
- 2009 Naga Expert 139 and under Silver
- 2009 Arizona State Championships Brown Belt Silver
- 2009 Mundials Brown Belt Semi-Finals
- 2010-2011 Taught at Fitness Fight Factory with Johnny Bedford and Rafael Cassias
- 2011 Naga Black Belt Competitor 4th
- I have coached countless fighters and grapplers in the DFW area.
Coach Taryn Douglas
Taryn has been training martial arts since the age of 7. He received his black belt from Carlos Machado in 2004. Taryn met Tery long before that after he and his brother Lee moved down here to train with Carlos Machado. Taryn has taught for 8 years at Machados. He has a natural ability to teach his vast knowledge of the art. Taryn has a very innovative style while emphasizing the core basics.
Coach James Carr
James Carr is a Brown Belt under Tery Corkran and currently teaches advanced Kickboxing and Muay Thai with a heavy emphasis on sparring, techniques, and conditioning. James started his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training with Tery Corkran in 2002 and has had previous training with Carlos Machado from 2000-2002.
James also holds a Black Belt in Kickboxing Martial Arts from Hall of Fame instructor Fred McBride
- Texas BJJ Open Medalist; Blue Belt Division – 2001
- Former TACKA Texas Heavy Weight Kickboxing Champion 1990-1993 with a record of 7-0
- TACKA South fork Ranch Showdown – Defended Heavy weight Title – TKO in round – 2 – October ‘92
- Gladiator Kickboxing – Winner KO in round 1 – June ‘92
- TACKA Texas Proud Kickboxing – Texas Heavy weight Title – Winner – 5th round Decision – January ‘92
- US Karate Championships – Heavy weight – Winner – TKO round 3. September ‘91
- Texoma Land Full Contact Heavy weight Winner – TKO round 1. June ‘91
- Main Event Fight Night – Lubbock Texas – Winner 3 round Decision – December ‘90
- Southwest Kickboxing Champion – Winner TKO round 2 – August ‘90
Coach Blake Dvorak
A purple belt under Tery Corkran. Blake started at North Texas Mixed Martial Arts August 2007 when he was 15, One of the biggest lessons he’s learned is how to handle himself against much larger opponents, due to the dynamics of the class. This was often frustrating and he had contemplated giving up, but through perseverance, and solid technique he adapted to being overpowered. He loves to pass on these lessons that he has learned to the younger students who may be dealing with bigger bullies.
- NAGA Europa World Grappling Championship 08/15-16/08, Bronze GI-White Belt 145lb
- NAGA Texas Grappling Championship 12/6/08, Silver GI & NOGI-Blue Belt 145lb
- ADCC Dallas Trials, 11/20/11 Silver Intermediate 145lb
- TXBJJ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championship 02/20/11, Bronze GI-Blue Belt 145lb
- DOM Nation Fight For A Cure 04/2/11, Silver GI-Blue Belt 145lb
Coach Michael Magness
Michael is a purple belt under Tery. Michael has made Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a way of life. He has a very creative style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and brings a friendly vibe into the gym everyday. He works in the office of the gym and has a passion for teaching as well.
Coach Tiffany Harrison
Tiffany has been training in Mixed Martial Arts with Tery Corkran since 2004 and has been an assistant instructor since 2005. She has a First Dan black belt in Taekwondo through Master Sang Jo Lee (since returned to Korea), a brown belt in Okinawan Kobudo through Master Keith Macy, extensive experience in Paul Vunak’s Progressive Fighting Systems (including Lacoste-Inosanto Kali), a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu through Tery Corkran, and is also currently studying Soke Hatsumi’s Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu through Shidoshi David Sexton. When not working out, Tiffany devotes her free time to her yoga practice, spiritual studies and meditation, writing science fiction, rock climbing, oil painting, and her dual sport motorcycle. She is also a member of the International Defensive Pistol Association.
Her background includes a BA in Psychology and a BA in International Studies from the University of North Texas, and she is currently pursuing a Masters of Strategic Security and Protection through Henley-Putnam University. Tiffany has over four years of experience in the private security sector and is a licensed police officer. She has also worked as a secondary school substitute teacher for the Lewisville Independent School District, with her work concentrated on Special Education students and those remanded to In-School Suspension for disciplinary problems. Upon completion of her Masters Degree, Tiffany will begin researching and writing a book regarding methodologies for teaching children and teenagers martial arts. Aside from teaching at North Texas Mixed Martial Arts, she is currently in the process of returning to a career in law enforcement, with the ultimate goal of joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Coach Josh Hopper
Growing up Josh had always played a lot of team sports, it wasn’t until he joined the wrestling team his freshman year of high school that he found his niche. Josh is a blue belt, and is an instructor for the kids program. He is very committed to every one of our students to make sure they succeed in any obstacle that they may face with the sport or in their day to day lives. Josh’s son Jimmy is also part of our Little Dragons Program.