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LEGACY FIGHT CLUB COACHES & INSTRUCTORS
ABOUT US
At Legacy Fight Club, we are more than just a martial arts facility—we are a supportive community dedicated to empowering individuals through Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Situated in the heart of Barrie, our gym blends passion, dedication, and expertise to cultivate an atmosphere where growth and achievement flourish. Whether you’re a newcomer exploring martial arts or a seasoned athlete perfecting your techniques, we welcome everyone to join us.
Meet Our Instructors
At Legacy Fight Club, our instructors are the heart of our community. Each coach is highly experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate about their discipline. With years of training and competitive backgrounds, they are devoted to helping every student excel. Whether you're building basic skills or advancing to complex techniques, our instructors offer personalized coaching and support designed to meet your unique objectives.
Founder and Chief Legacy Director Bao Luu brings more than three decades of martial arts expertise, Coach Bao has competed extensively locally and abroad, including six professional Muay Thai bouts in Thailand. His BJJ experience include dozens of tournaments and Gold medals from White to the Black belt level. He currently leads the NOGI Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team at Legacy. He is a certified instructor with multiple recognized fight organizations, and has guided students to achieve provincial and national championships in various divisions. His mission is to inspire confidence, develop skills, and foster resilience in all his students. He currently leads the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program.
MY MUAY THAI COACHING EXPERIENCE
As an accomplished coach of 10 years, my athletes have won provincial and national belts as well as event tournament titles. I train athletes of all ages and gender and have champions in a variety of categories including kids, females, adults, and teens.
My formal muay thai coaching credentials include:
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-WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organization) Certified Coach - https://www.wakocanada.org/
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-MTO (Muay Thai Ontario) Certified Coach - https://muaythaiontario.org/
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-WKF (World Kickboxing Federation) Certified Coach - https://www.wkfworld.com/
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WKF Certified Official; Judge and Referee - https://www.wkfworld.com/
Muay Thai Coach and Program Director
Muay Thai Adult & Youth Competition Team Coach
MARLON & MYLES VALENZUELA
Alright, let’s do this one more time. My name is Marlon Valenzuela, your friendly neighbourhood Muay Thai coach. I was smitten by the action packed movie Bloodsport and since my 20s I’ve pursued a long life as a Muay Thai practitioner. You may know the rest but if you don’t.
I first joined the Twin Dragon Kung-Fu & Kick-Boxing club in Toronto studying under Martin McNamara. Martin’s drills and focus on the fundamentals and making students accountable for those fundamentals are still with me today. Soon after I began sparring, my hope of competing was dashed away as an eye condition wouldn’t allow me to see well enough to be medically cleared to compete. I didn’t let that news stop me though and I quickly shifted into becoming the best student I could be and a good sparring partner to my fellow competitors.
When I moved to Barrie, I found Mecca Muay Thai & Fitness. I began studying and transitioned from Kickboxing to Muay Thai under the tutelage of Kru Edward Anderson. Kru Edward’s hyper-focus on the fundamentals solidified my love and focus on Muay Thai. When I found Legacy Fight Club, I found my second home.
My coaching career began as an assistant to the Kid’s Program, overseeing students' first day at Legacy. When my son Myles joined the program, my focus, under the guidance of Bao, shifted to competitive coaching. I’ve been at the helm of the Kid’s competitive program since 2018, putting my best effort into helping each student reach their full potential.
You can still catch me taking part in classes and sparring with students so no matter how many hits I take, I always find a way to hit back. There’s only one friendly neighbourhood Muay Thai coach. And you’re looking at him.
🙏Sawasdee khap
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Brazilian Jii-Jitsu Coach and Program Director
BAO LUU
...my first fight class
How will I do? Will people laugh or judge me? Will I be accepted? These were some of the questions going through my head before my first class. I was pleased to find out soon after that it was in fact, all in my head. At first I only went a couple times a week, but it didn't take long before it became an addiction...the good kind of addiction that saw me attending classes almost everyday.
Since then, my journey in Martial Arts have forever changed my life. Brazilian Jii-Jitsu and Muay Thai have helped me develop confidence and discipline. The gym provided me with a community of like-minded people striving to be better than their yesterday self, and it also a place where I could escape from the everyday stresses at work.
Let Legacy do the same for you; let us be your second home.
Some of Bao's BJJ Achievements:
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Oshawa BJJ Open – 2023 – Gold
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Great Lakes Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – 2022 – Double Gold
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Ontario Open International Jiu Jitsu
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GTA Classic 2022 GI - Gold
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GTA Classic 2022 GI OPEN DIV - Silver
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Championship (Gi Edition) – 2022 – Gold
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Next Gen Niagara Jiu-Jitsu – 2022 – Gold
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Abu Dhabi Pro – 2022 – Bronze
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Ontario Open – 2020 – Gold
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Grappling Industries BFLO – 2019 – Gold
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Ontario Open – 2019 – Bronze
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Grappling Industries TO – 2018 – Gold
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Alta Mata Etobicoke – 2018 – Silver
Muay Thai Fundamentals Team Lead
All Women's Muay Thai Coach
SHELLEY NAKONECHNY
I stumbled hesitantly into Legacy Fight Club in the summer of 2015 not knowing what to expect. I was looking for a gym that provided not only a great workout but also gave me the tools and support needed to improve my limited boxing skills. I’d never even heard of Muay Thai before coming to this club, but I knew I needed something that not only challenged me physically but mentally as well. From day one I was welcomed into this unique family and have since reached goals I’d never even dreamed of having including coaching/cornering fighters, judging at local Muay Thai events and expanding my skillset by adding jiu jitsu to my training regime. I no longer know where my comfort zone is because I’m continuously challenged to go beyond it!
I’m very excited to be teaching the Women’s Only Muay Thai class, sharing my love of both Muay Thai and Fight Club.
Take it from me, in joining this class you will:
• Smile more
• Increase both your physical and mental strength
• Gain the confidence to start saying “Maybe one day”, and “Yes” instead of “No”
• Eventually find my warm up too easy!
Together we will train hard, laugh a lot and build each other up as we develop these skills.
See you at the club!
Muay Thai Adult Competition Head Coach
FRANCESCO CERVO
My name is Frank Cervo. My role is Legacy's Muay Thai Competition Head Coach. I come from an authentic traditional muay thai background and originally started my muay thai journey at the original Siam No. 1 under Ajahn Suchart. I have 20 years of training experience working with multiple muay thai champion coaches and alongside champion fighters. I also have been in active in the competitive muay thai scene since 2014 to 2022.
My mission is to teach proper muay thai technique, foundation, balance, ring control and how to generate true striking power. I strive to eleve my student's games and help them reach their fullest potential.
With my extensive competition experience, the support of my assistant coaches, and the encouragement of the greater team, we will make sure that any dream becomes a real possibility. Through hard work, dedication, love, and consistency, the sky is truly the limit.
Our Mission
At Legacy Fight Club, our goal is to deliver exceptional martial arts training within a friendly and inclusive setting. We believe martial arts go beyond physical fitness—they cultivate mental resilience and personal development. Our programs are crafted to motivate and challenge, empowering students to build discipline, confidence, and a sense of achievement. Whether you're looking to learn self-defense, compete at an elite level, or enhance your overall fitness, Legacy Fight Club is here to support your journey. Join us today and become part of Barrie's vibrant martial arts community.