-Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Greg Nelson and Pedro Sauer
-Certified Combat Submission Wrestling Coach under Erik Paulson
-UFC Coach and Cornerman
-7-0 Professional MMA

Mr. Spicer Started training in 1999 after watching the first UFC events and began training a mix of Tae Kwon Do, wrestling, kickboxing and jiu jitsu at Progressive Martial Arts in Grand Forks, ND in 1999. In 2002 Dylan began making the drive to the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy in Brooklyn Center to train with legendary coach Greg Nelson and his team.

Moving to Minneapolis gave Dylan the opportunity to train under the direct tutelage of Greg Nelson and Sean Sherk on a daily basis which then led to many great travel and training experiences alongside many top level coaches and athletes. Mr. Spicer is also a Coach Level III in Sensei Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission Wrestling which is a combination of Japanese Shooto, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. Spicer was also a main training partner for UFC World Champion Sean Sherk and World Champion Nick “The Goat” Thompson as well other UFC fighters Paul Bradley, Jacob Volkmann, and Brock Larson. Coach Spicer has been cornering and helping fighters in the UFC since UFC 59.

As a competitor, Spicer has put his skills to the test on the mats, in the ring, and in the cage. He is a multiple time medalist and competitor in the Fargo Open, The Midwest Sub Hunt, NAGA, US Grappling Association, and Tournament of Pros. In the cage Mr. Spicer is undefeated with a record of 7 wins and no losses.

As a coach, Mr. Spicer and the other coaches at the ACA have developed the most successful MMA team in the state of North Dakota. They have brought local athletes from the ground up onto the local scene and then successfully competed against the best in the world at the highest levels of the sport of Mixed martial Arts

-BJJ Black Belt
-All Army Combatives Tournament Runner Up 2010
-National Guard Combatives Tournament Champion 2011
-National Guard Combatives Tournament Champion 2012
-Professional MMA Fighter

Dillon Boen is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Dylan Spicer, from whom he has received all of his rank. His interest in combat sports began in 2007–2008 during the rise of Brock Lesnar in MMA, an era that sparked a lasting fascination with the mechanics, strategy, and evolution of high-level competition.

Outside the academy, Boen works professionally as a Physician Assistant in Cardiology and Internal Medicine at Lake Region Healthcare. This clinical background strongly influences his approach to jiu-jitsu, emphasizing precision, efficiency, and a deep respect for systems and underlying principles. He has maintained consistent training throughout his adult life, integrating the discipline of martial arts alongside a demanding medical career.

As a coach, Boen is particularly interested in the study of modern grappling trends and the shifting meta at the highest levels of the sport. He approaches jiu-jitsu as a problem-solving framework—identifying recurring patterns, high-percentage positions, and reliable finishing mechanics. He is equally committed to developing athletes through thoughtful instruction, strategic coaching, and effective cornering.

His preferred submissions—the cross-collar choke and the armbar—reflect a philosophy rooted in fundamental techniques executed with technical clarity and control.

Katie Stensgard is a dedicated martial artist, competitor, and community advocate who brings passion, resilience, and heart to every class she leads. A single mother of four, she first stepped onto the mats after her divorce, seeking strength, healing, and a supportive community. What began as a personal journey quickly became a family tradition—her children now train alongside her, making martial arts a cornerstone of their lives together.
Katie is a decorated competitor in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, earning recognition for her skill, work ethic, and humility. Her accomplishments include:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
● 2024 Purple Belt World Master’s Champion (Master 3, Middleweight); Bronze in Absolute
● 2024 Purple Belt Pan Ams Champion (Middleweight)
● 2023 Blue Belt World Master’s Champion (Middleweight & Absolute)
● 2023 Blue Belt Pan Ams Silver (Middleweight & Absolute)
● 2022 Blue Belt World Master’s Bronze (Middleweight); Silver (Absolute)

Muay Thai / MMA
● 2024 Muay Thai TBA Classic Class C Light Welter Champion
● 2–0 Amateur Muay Thai Record
● 0–1 Amateur MMA Record

Driven by a desire to uplift others, Katie co-founded the nonprofit The Uprising Project ND with teammate Marissa Hogness, providing resources and programs for women healing from abuse. Her story of perseverance and empowerment was recently featured in the documentary Grit & Grace, which premiered at the Fargo Theatre.

Whether coaching beginners, mentoring competitors, or helping women rebuild their lives, Katie leads with grit, grace, and a deep belief that martial arts can change lives—because it changed hers.

Ben Simons is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, professional MMA fighter, and Bellator veteran with over a decade of experience in Muay Thai, BJJ, and mixed martial arts. His energy is infectious, both on the mats and in the gym, making every class engaging, intense, and fun.

Ben’s martial arts journey began in 2013 after moving to Fargo. With nine years of wrestling experience—including a state championship team and an individual state placement—he was looking for a new outlet and decided to check MMA off his bucket list. He hasn’t left the sport since.

A seasoned competitor and coach, Ben has trained in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 12 years, cornered 76 fights (50 Muay Thai, 26 MMA), and earned his MMA instructor certification from The Academy in Minneapolis in 2016. He primarily coaches the Muay Thai program but also supports the Jiu-Jitsu and Women’s Kickboxing programs, sharing his expertise with athletes at all levels.

Before MMA, Ben spent four years coaching high school wrestling, guiding three individual state champions to success. His competitive accomplishments include a professional MMA career, a Bellator vet record, a 1–1 record in Class A Muay Thai, and a lifelong dedication to grappling and striking.

High-energy, passionate, and relentlessly motivating, Ben brings both skill and spirit to every class—ensuring his students train hard, improve fast, and have a blast while doing it.

Sam Lemaire began training in Jiu-Jitsu in 2019 after several years of experience in kickboxing. Her introduction to the sport came through Next Level Combat, a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu gym near St. Paul, Minnesota. Drawn to no-gi grappling from the start, it took time for Jiu-Jitsu to fully click—but once it did, striking was set aside to focus entirely on submission grappling.

Since committing to Jiu-Jitsu, Coach Sam has trained at academies across the United States and internationally. After returning to North Dakota, she joined the Academy of Combat Arts, where she is now a brown belt in jiu jitsu, and teaches the women’s-only and co-ed no-gi classes.. Coach Sam has been an active competitor since white belt and has secured multiple submission victories in high-level events, including Super Fight wins by Aoki lock at Ritsu Fight, a Woj lock submission at Orbit Submission Series, and a kneebar finish at Fight to Win in Minneapolis.

Justin Lordeman’s martial arts journey began in 1997, sparked by a simple Christmas gift—boxing gloves from his grandfather. What started as playful sparring with cousins quickly
evolved into spirited basement boxing sessions, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for combat sports.

From 2001 to 2005, he dedicated himself to Kendo/Kumdo, developing discipline and precision as a student of the sword. His commitment culminated in earning a black belt, alongside extensive competitive experience that shaped his early martial arts mindset.

Between 2004 and 2007, he spent his summers training at the Brian Johnson Academy in Olympia, Washington, where he immersed himself in Muay Thai. These formative years were defined by rigorous training and a deep appreciation for striking arts.
In 2005, he was introduced to mixed martial arts after a chance encounter led him to his first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class. Training with Team Blood Fire, a pioneering garage gym in Fargo, he began developing the grappling foundation that would become central to his career.

By 2006, he expanded into amateur boxing, training under Coach Andy Kolle at FM Boxing. He compiled a 1–3 amateur record while gaining valuable ring experience. In 2007, he added judo to his skill set, earning a yellow belt at Red River Judo and securing a second-place finish at the Red River Judo Tournament.

As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, he has achieved multiple podium finishes in IBJJF competition, including:
● Gold – Minneapolis Open
● Bronze – Miami Open
● Bronze – Las Vegas Open
● Bronze – Minneapolis Open

Timmy Carpenter began his martial arts journey in 2009 at the Academy of Combat Arts, where he rose through the ranks from white belt to black belt. Throughout his time there, he distinguished himself not only through technical development and competition success, but also through his dedication to coaching.

Martial arts has remained a constant in Carpenter’s life, shaping his discipline, resilience, and sense of community. His experience across multiple disciplines continues to influence both his personal training and his approach to instruction.

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with over a decade of experience, Carpenter has trained at the AcademyFargo since 2009. He has developed a dynamic, submission-focused grappling style supported by extensive competition experience across the country.

An active and accomplished competitor, Coach Carpenter has built an impressive résumé that includes multiple superfight appearances and tournament accolades. His achievements include a Super Fight Championship at Sub Spectrum Woodstock, a silver medal at the 2022 IBJJF Twin Cities Open, and a championship title in the 135 lb division at the Orbit Submission Series, along with a contender placement at 145 lbs. He has also competed in prominent promotions such as Fight 2 Win, Midwest Finishers, and World Class Grappling.

Known for his aggressive and highly effective submission game, Carpenter has earned multiple “fastest submission” awards, with finishes recorded in as little as nine seconds. His ability to secure quick, decisive victories has made him a standout competitor and an exciting athlete to watch.
On the mats, Carpenter leads the No-Gi program, and assists with the women’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program. He is passionate about helping students of all levels build confidence, refine their skills, and develop a strong competitive mindset.