Woodstock Mixed Martial Arts

Triton MMA Academy

Pro Fighters, Fitness and Bully Proofing

Carolyn and Kurt Schulenburg, along with Alan Dyson earned several Black Belts in Tang Soo Do under Master Young Hong. When the Schulenburg's decided to continue the Young Hong Karate Institute at the urging of a retiring Master Hong, Dyson embraced the new directions and ideas that the Schulenburgs had in mind..

Woodstock Mixed Martial Arts was created because the traditional martial arts were simply not performing in the real world, whether in inational and nternational contests or on the street. The early days of the UFC and other mixed martial arts tournaments showed that karate was too specialized, too dependent on kicking and punching to take home trophies against the likes of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other arts that incoporated ground techniques.

Clearly, the mixed martial arts were creating the most effective fighters on the planet, but could this sort of violence be tamed and taught safely?

Woodstock Mixed Martial Arts is one of the original Founding Members of Pro-Star Mixed Martial Arts, a curriculum designed to safely and effectively teach mixed martial arts to people of all ages and experience levels. Our staff has been teaching this Mixed Martial Arts curriculum for several years, incorporating their ongoing training with nationally known trainers and athletes with their own backgrounds in TaeKwonDo, Tang Soo Do, judo and Jiu-Jitsu to create one of the safest and most effective martial arts programs in the world.

In 2011, Mike Budnik and his Triton MMA Academy joined WMMA. With the retirement of the Schulenburgs, Mike has become the head instructor and owner at WMMA and Fitness. He teaches Gracie Bully Proofing, Jiu-Jitsu, No Gi Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Women's Self Defense and Gracie Combatives.

Black Belt Mike Budnik

MMA Pro Fighter and Teacher!

Mr. Mike "Wildfire" Budnik, former world-class professional inline skater, Ultimate Fighter, professional MMA fighter and Black Belt teacher of Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brings his diverse talents to Woodstock Mixed Martial Arts, integrating his Triton Academy classes that he's designed and developed over the last decade into the best all around fighting and fitness program in the Chicago area.

Mike is also a family man. With his wife Angela, you'll often see his three children watching from the sidelines - and joining in our Bully Proofing class. Daughters Bianca and Brea, together with their younger brother "Cage" (Mike) - really put the "family" in this family business.

Mike and Triton Academy are the new heart of WMMA and Fitness, adding Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Bully Proofing Classes and Mixed Martial Arts classes. Mr. Budnik was a part of Ultimate Fighter 12 and is a professional fighter who has logged wins in WEC, EFL, KOTC and C3 Fights and boasts a 13 win 4 loss record. He is a Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu under Renato Tavares and is a fantastic teacher at all levels from beginners through pro fighters.

Master Alan Dyson

How Can I Make A Difference?

Alan Dyson earned his first Black Belt in Tang-Soo-Do under Grandmaster Young Hong in 1998. That was the year he began teaching martial arts, influencing hundreds of students with his knowledge of the "hidden moves" contained within traditional forms.

Now a 5th Degree Black Belt and a Certified Mixed Martial Arts Instructor, Alan is a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago. His art work has appeared in many fantasy role playing books, trading cards for the Bench Warmer series and many specialty pieces for clients such as the Wizard of Oz's munchkin Jerry Maren. Ray Park - you know him from Star Wars as Darth Maul! - is one of many celebrity fans of Dyson's incredibly detailed - almost photographic - style.

Master Dyson utilized his martial arts training to find work in the McHenry County Sheriff's Department as a Corrections Officer. His years with the department led him to understand that traditional martial arts were simply not as effective in crowd control and personal safety as the grappling and holding techniques of the mixed martial arts. Upon observing how the justice system seemed to be a revolving door for the same inmates making poor choices over and over again, Master Dyson rededicated himself to the teaching aspect of the Martial Arts, with an emphasis on personal responsibility, honesty, integrity - and effective techniques suitable for real world self-defense.

For the last 5 years, Master Dyson has been working for Woodstock Mixed Martial Arts, training at camps and seminars around the country in grappling, Muay Thai and the striking arts. He has been instrumental in the development of our MMA program, contributing not only his vast knowledge of traditional techniques but designing drills and curriculum goals for every age and experience level.

And, although he considers himself to be primarily a stand-up fighter, he's participated in every NAGA (North American Grappling Association) Tournament that has come through Chicago in the last 3 years!