FIMA Features

Patrick Bittan  was born in France and has lived in Israel, the United States and is currently residing in Spain. Nurtured in Judo since the age of 6 (black belt in 1992), forged in Krav Maga (black belt in 1991) training since the age of 12 with former Israeli commando Joseph Kalfa, educated in Mixed…

Michael Rüppel is well-known throughout Europe and in Israel. He began working in security in 1992 as a bodyguard for such notables as Gerhard Schröder, Dr. Ben Weider, Jean-Claude van Damme and many others. While Rüppel trains in other martial arts (purple belt in BJJ), since 1998 he has focused on Israeli Martial Arts. His…

Francel Acosta Torres was born in Cuba. He has been involved in martial arts for thirty years. He has been practicing a variety of Martial arts such as Wushu, Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, kick boxing, Karate – Wado Ryu (1st Dan) and Hawaiin Kajukembo (2nd Dan) for many years. He became a Cuban champion in kumite in 1998.…

FIMAFeature of the week: Frank Castiglione Master Frank has more than 30 years of experience in martial arts. Starting in Karate, he received his black belt in Yoseikan Budo and began competing in full contact kickboxing and then armed combat arts. Frank has trained in Israeli systems since 1998. He has trained with multiple high level…

FIMAFeature of the week: Nir Maman Nir served in the Israeli Special Forces Counter Terror Unit and Counter Terror School in several capacities including: Operational Team Leader for Active Shooter/Terror Attack Interventions and high-risk search and arrest operations targeting wanted terrorists in war zones. Nir was a Lead Counter Terror Instructor in charge of training IDF…

Dr. Itay Gil is an IDF Major. He served in Israel’s special forces paratroops brigade. He was chosen to join Israel’s elite counter-terror and hostage rescue commando unit, “Yamam”, where he became an operative and then chief close-quarter combat instructor. Capt. Gil was the executive director of all training programs for the Israel Border Police as…

John Whitman is a 6th degree black belt in Krav Maga, a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, and a certified USAW Sport Performance Coach. He holds a Senior Instructor degree from the prestigious Wingate Institute in Netanya, Israel. He served as president of Krav Maga Worldwide for 7 years and has…

Haim Gozali is an Israeli and IDF veteran who has dedicated his life and career post-service to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and representing Israel on the world’s most important stages. From Madison Square Garden in New York to record-breaking events in Tel Aviv, and at The Forum in Los Angeles. Gozali represents Israel with pride…

Dan (THE BEAST) Severn is a FIMA member and one of the BEST MMA fighters in history! He was the first true world-class wrestler to compete in the UFC and one of leading pioneers of mixed martial arts. Dan became the only UFC Triple Crown champion in history. He became UFC Champion at UFC 5.…

  David Kahn is the US Chief Instructor for the Israeli Krav Maga Association under GM Haim Gidon. He has taught all 5 branches of the US Military as well as many foreign militaries and law enforcement agencies. David has been featured regularly in mainstream media including the New York Times, Men’s Fitness, GQ, USA…