INSTRUCTORS

Harvy Berman

Warrior Way’s founder, Harvy Berman, already a black belt in American Freestyle Karate, began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu almost three decades ago. Harvy began his journey in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the legendary Gracie family, and trained under the tutelage of Grandmaster Helio Gracie, and brothers Rorion, Relson, Royce and Rolker Gracie. At this time, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was practically unheard of in the United States. After taking his first lesson with Relson Gracie, Harvy had the vision to realize that the Gracie style of Jiu Jitsu would revolutionize Martial Arts and self-defense training. He made it his mission to learn the martial art and began to immerse himself in the style by traveling across the country to train with the Gracies any opportunity he had.

During his time with the Gracies, Harvy became close with Master Caique and would one day become one of Caique’s first official training associations in the states. Harvy currently holds a 5th degree black belt under Caique and is responsible for creating the biggest and longest running Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program in Michigan and the Midwest. Besides his accomplishments and contributions to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Midwest, Harvy has the distinction of bringing the first and only true Muay Thai Kickboxing instructor and program to the area. With the addition of legendary Thai fighter Matee Jedeepitak, Harvy’s dream of creating a martial arts school and self-defense program based in reality had come true.

A martial arts school and its instructor are best judged by the students they have developed. Harvy’s role as an instructor and mentor is evident when looking at the students he, and his school, has created. Harvy has helped create over 30 black belts, an accomplishment untouched by any other school in Michigan. Additionally, Harvy’s guidance has helped develop numerous professional and amateur fighters. In the true spirit of the martial arts, Harvy has developed a team of instructors that have helped carry on the traditions and philosophies that became his dream when he first opened Warrior Way’s doors almost 30 years ago.

VIEW HARVY’S PICTORIAL BIOGRAHY

Matee Jedeepitak

Matee Jedeepitak is Warrior Way’s Muay Thai instructor. Born and raised in Thailand, Matee followed the traditions of Muay Thai and began training and fighting at a very early age. Nicknamed “Dragonleg” because of his ferocious kicking style, he fought regularly in Bangkok at Lumpinee Stadium throughout the 1990s, which is considered by many as the golden era of Muay Thai. Matee held the prestigious Lumpinee stadium championship belt for five years and also held the World Muay Thai Council championship belt for four years. Two of the sports greatest achievements for a fighter. With over 200 professional fights, Matee developed a loyal fan base and is considered one of the greatest southpaws in the history of the sport.

After sustaining a shoulder injury, Matee came to the U.S. in 2001 for what he expected to be a short stay. However, he decided to stay in the country and began teaching his powerful style of combat. In 2003, while visiting Warrior Way for a seminar, Matee met Harvy and the two began a friendship and partnership that would add the final piece Warrior Way needed to become the ulitmate powerhouse for martial arts and MMA training in the state. Since then, Matee has made Michigan his home, with his wife and daughter, and focuses on teaching his powerful Muay Thai striking style. Working alongside many of our amateur and professional fighters, Matee has helped create the most well-rounded and skilled athletes fighting out of Michigan. Matee has worked with fighters who have gone on to fight in the biggest organizations in the world, such as King of the Cage, Pride, and the UFC.

Angelo Popofski

Angelo began training in the spring of 1997 and never looked back. He would go on to train closely with Royce, Relson Rolker, Rorion, and other members of the Gracie family. Traveling across the country, Angelo would take any opportunity to train with the Gracies, whether it was at their main academy in Torrance, California or at seminars hosted across the country. These were the days and experiences that would shape and solidify his dedication and love for the sport. Angelo would soon make a move that would forever change the course of his life and career in Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. In the early 2000’s, Angelo began training at Warrior Way Martial Arts under the leadership and guidance of Harvy Berman (now a 5th degree black belt himself). During this time, Angelo became close with and trained under Master Carlos Enrique “Caique” Elias who is one of the first and only non-Gracie black belts giving by the legendary Helio Gracie. Over the next two decades, Angelo would train and teach under Master Caique’s guidance and mentorship. In 2007, Angelo was awarded his black belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu under Caique and would join the short list of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belts in Michigan.

As a competitor, Angelo would compete any opportunity he had to test himself and his Jiu Jitsu. Traveling across the state and country to the few competitions that were available at the time. As a blue belt, Angelo decided to test himself and represent Jiu Jitsu in the arena of Mixed Martial Arts. Being one of the first handful of MMA fighters to come out of Michigan, Angelo was a part of the sports early years before many of the rules and regulations were set in place. His first ever MMA fight was before the addition of rounds and he fought a single round of 15 minutes straight. Though he lost a hard fought decision in this bout, it only helped to strengthen his desire to better himself and test his Jiu Jitsu. His next outing would be a tournament in which Angelo fought two MMA fights in one one night. Beating both opponents by submission and winning the tournament. In 2011, Angelo had the honor to fight on the first ever sanctioned professional MMA event in Michigan. Over the years, Angelo would go on to amass over 20 MMA fights and help grow the sports popularity in Michigan.

Angelo began teaching Jiu Jitsu as a blue belt and it has remained his passion and goal to help spread the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Though his time as a competitor has ended, Angelo still remains active as an instructor and coach for Warrior Way’s next generation of competitors and fighters. As an instructor, Angelo has the privilege and honor to travel and train closely with Master Caique whenever possible. Angelo’s goal as an instructor has always been to remain true to the roots of Jiu Jitsu as a reality based form of combat and self-defense, while still keeping up with new techniques and training philosophies.

Brandon Fracassi-McDaniel

Brandon McDaniel’s martial arts journey began in 1998 after witnessing Royce Gracie demonstrate the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Inspired by this ground breaking event, he set out to find a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu school in Michigan. At that time, there were only three certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu schools in the state, so in 1999, at age 17, Brandon began training at Warrior Way Martial Arts in Walled Lake, MI under the guidance of Harvy Berman.

His Jiu-Jitsu education started under the guidance of the Gracie family, training directly with Royce and Rolker Gracie, through whom he was introduced to Master Carlos Enrique “Caique” Elias. In November of 2009, Brandon earned his black belt from Master Caique and currently holds the rank of 4th degree black belt, with over 26 years of training experience. He dedicates himself to mastering the intricacies of Jiu-Jitsu, continually learning and teaching under Master Caique’s mentorship.

As an avid competitor, Brandon amassed numerous sport Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling titles, competing across North America for more than 20 years. He remains a dedicated student of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and also studies Muay Thai. Today, he serves as the head instructor and owner of Warrior Way Martial Arts, now located in West Bloomfield, MI.

Since retiring from competition due to injury, Brandon has found a new passion in coaching athletes at both amateur and professional levels, guiding competitors from local events to the UFC. Outside the academy, Brandon holds a secondary education degree from Eastern Michigan University and spent 10 years teaching high school, specializing in connecting with at-risk youth.