- Coach Michael Daye has been involved in martial arts and athletics his entire life. As a child he developed a love for martial arts watching all the old Bruce Lee and Van Damme movies. Kenpo Karate and Boxing was Coach Dayes first styles he learned while splitting time on the basketball court. On the court he would become an All State Player at Niceville High in the Panhandle of Florida, and then went on to play at Glendale Community College and Grand Canyon University where not only would he be an All Conference Player at both schools but earn his AA and BA in Business from each school. He would carry on into the semi pro ranks before focusing his time on his family and business goals. After basketball was over, a sense of that competitive spirit was still inside, so instantly he started looking to get back into martial arts, which is when he decided to try Jiu Jitsu. At 6'5", and over 240 pounds he was amazed how such a smaller person could compete with a much larger person in a combative situation. From there, he was hooked, and would continue to train-compete-and coach for the next 17 years. During that time he would not only train, but compete at every belt level in the IBJJF Pan Ams, NABJJF Worlds, AZ State Championships, and more, winning medals at every belt level. After a injury would prevent him from competing for over a year, he would then develop his true love for coaching, and developed a style of teaching that in his first year coaching led to 5 World Champions and 8 State Champions.
Outside the academy, Coach Daye owns and operates one of the most sought after landscaping-masonry businesses in Phoenix, Outdoor Paradise Landscaping, LLC. His mental strength allows him to work 10 hours a day outside in the AZ heat, and then hit the mats at night to train/teach MUAY THAI AND BJJ. He just celebrated 20 years in business and uses his experience in the business world into our training as an example of what hard work and dedication can turn into.
Coach Daye, his wife Nicole of 18 years, their Daughter Taytum 18, and son Michael Daye JR 14, are all part of the team that makes the academy run. Nicole runs the front and trains full time in BJJ, son Michael Jr is the kids BJJ coach, currently holds the rank of Yellow, and Taytum who is a Varsity Basketball Player helps the kids strength and conditioning program. We believe family is the most important thing in life, and to operate as a family business is a daily blessing, we look at our team at Sentosa as family. Michael Daye Jr is one of the up and coming youth competitors in the state has medaled in nearly every tournament including the AZ State Championships, Southwest Classic, Numerous Naga events, and many more tournaments.
Coach Daye's Accomplishments
1998 All State Third Team Florida 6-A Basketball Team
2003 AZNJCCA All Conference Basketball
2005 NCAA California Athletic Conference All Conference
2 Year Starter Glendale Community College Basketball
2 Year Starter Grand Canyon University Basketball
Black Belt BJJ-Jerry Laurita and Joe Moreira Lineage
Brown Belt- IKKA Kenpo Karate
Golden Glover Boxer- Okaloosa County Boxing Club in Florida
9 years Muay Thai Training- Jerry Laurita
Grappling Competition- A FEW OF COACH DAYES TOURNAMENTS
2007 AZ State Champion and Southwest Classic Champion-White
2010 AZ State Champion-Blue Belt
2009-2010 Desert Quest Champion and Silver Medalist Blue Belt
Silver Medal-2009 AZ State Bronze-2009 Southwest Classic-Blue Belt
2011 Naga Silver and Gold-Purple Belt
2011 AZ International Open Gold-Purple
2013 Pan American Silver Medal-Brown Belt
2017- AZ Masters Silver and Bronze Open Weight- Brown Belt
2017-4TH Place NBJJF Brown Belt
2018-3rd Place NBJJF Black Belt
2023 AZBJJF Masters Black Belt Silver Super Heavyweight and Open Weight Gold.
Has competed in numerous other tournaments Grappling Quest, IBJJF opens, NABJJF events, Desert Quests, King of the Mats and more from White Belt to Black Belt.
Trained and Coached 2005 to 2024 BJJ and Thai at Sentosa Academy.
Striking Competition
9-1 record OWCF Golden Glove Boxing Circuit
14-2 record IKKA Kenpo Karate Tournament Record
2-0 MMA- Amateur record
Coaching
Head Basketball Coach and Trainer Next Level Elite Sports Academy- Trained hundreds of high school, middle school and college players.
BJJ Coach of Sentosa Martial Arts Academy -Coached adults and kids to hundreds of medals from World Championships in the GI and NO GI, State Championships, NAGA and more.
Instructor
Instructor Rick Lowry
Professor Rick has over 16 years of Muay Thai Training, he holds the rank of Black Belt in Muay Thai and is also a High Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He served as a Marine, and has years of experience in many other forms of hand to hand combat and martial arts. Professor Rick has competed in numerous Muay Thai bouts and No Holds Barred Strong Man Bouts. His classes are high energy, and teaches with a passion you will not see anywhere. Sentosa is blessed to have Professor Rick as an instructor, and reputation as being one of the best instructors in the area.