Meet our Intructors

Antony Marcantoni

Originally introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) by his older brother Rocky (John Rallo Black Belt), Antony began his training a decade ago under Mark Finley, whom originally trained in California under Rickson Gracie, the older brother of Royce.  Mr. Finley moved to Baltimore to establish a Rickson Gracie affiliate here in Maryland.  After teaching in Baltimore for several years, Mr. Finley and Ground Control Head Instructor, John Rallo (Renzo Gracie Black Belt) met Renzo Gracie and were invited to his academy in New York to train.  During these training sessions, Renzo offered to take Mark Finley and all of his students under his wing.  Ground Control has been a part of the Renzo Gracie family ever since…

Antony traveled on numerous occasions with his brother Rocky and John Rallo to train with Renzo and bring his teachings back to Ground Control.  Besides Renzo, Antony had the priviledge to train with some of the world’s best grapplers:  Sean Alvarez (Black Belt, UCC Heavyweight Champion, Pan Am and Mundial Champion), Matt Serra (Black Belt, UFC Welterweight Champion pan am and Mundial World Champion) and Ricardo Almeida (Black Belt, Pancrase World Champion, UFC Middleweight Contender, BJJ Champion).

Just a few months after training, Antony began competing in local tournaments and in some of the very first Naga and Grapplers Quest events.  Shortly after, Antony was promoted to Blue Belt by Sean Alvarez.  His instructors John Rallo and Mark Finley were not yet a black belt and could not promote.  Antony then began training MMA under the tutelage of Mr. Rallo and was one of Binky Jones’ first training partners.  In 2004, at the peak of his training, Antony suffered a severe leg injury, putting his goals and competitive career on hold.  In December of 2008, Antony was promoted to purple belt by Mr. Rallo.  If not for almost losing his leg, Antony would have been promoted much sooner.  Now currently working on his brown belt and to finally compete again, Antony continues to train under John Rallo, his brother Rocky Marcantoni, and also takes trips to Philadelphia to train with Ricardo Almeida’s first student promoted to black belt, Rob Scheier.

Scott Portney

Scott began in martial arts at the age of 8 in Kenpo Karate under Sibora Chan (2 time Ed Parker International Champion). He competed for many years in karate and went on to earn his Black Belt. Over time he has also earned belts in Shorin Ryu, and Israeli Combat Systems and trained in Aikido, Hapkido and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Scott started wrestling when he was 10 years old and was a member of Owings Mills High Schools 2002 State Championship team.

His passion is to teach kids all of the life skills and lessons he has learned from taking martial arts at a young age and share his knowledge of many different styles of martial arts that he has trained in over the course of time.

Russell Shiflett

Russell was introduced to boxing in 1996 at the age of 16.  He then began competing at an amateur level earning a 15-1 record.  Russ earned the Regional Golden Gloves in 1999 as well as earning the title Maryland State Champion in that same year.  Russ turned pro in 2000, just four short years after being introduced to boxing in 1996.  He has fought under such people as Baltimore Boxing Club owner Jake Smith (“The Snake”) who is the former Maryland State Super Middleweight Champion, as well as renowned trainer Kevin Rooney, who won the 1975 147lb Sub-Novice New York Golden Gloves Championship, and was also the trainer of world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson from the start of his professional career in 1985.  Russ has been trained under the experienced hand of well known Jim Saufley who has trained such local well known boxers as Mike Dietrich and Angel McNamara. Russell’s own current record is 12-0-1, 5KOs and he is still competing.

Greg Kessler

Wrestling Coach

Jon Rallo

BJJ Instructor