PRIVATE MMA TRAINING
Hi, I’m Daniel Niel, a mixed martial artist (MMA) with 17 years of experience as a practitioner and 10 years as a coach. I incorporate kickboxing (muy thai and Dutch) with Western boxing striking styles, as well as Greco Roman wrestling and no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) into my MMA teachings.
I’ve tested my skills in the cage and was undefeated in amateur fights, but my real passion comes from coaching. There is nothing that makes me happier than watching my students discover their own potential. Empowering others to find their personal strengths and develop their own fighting styles fuels me.
I coach out of Paragon Academy in Goleta and also work with private clients throughout the greater Santa Barbara area. My students range from adult MMA competitors, to seniors wanting to neurobox, to women wanting to learn self-defense and children wanting to build their confidence. I especially enjoy working with neurodiverse students because I have ADHD and appreciate the value of teaching to different learning styles.
I know martial arts gyms can be intimidating. It is important to me that students of all skill levels and ages feel welcome and safe when they train. I’d love to help you along your own martial arts journey!
Contact me to get started:
dan@frequencymma.com
805-696-2236
Services
Let’s explore the building blocks of MMA to develop your personal fighting style:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is known as the gentle martial art because of its focus on ground fighting and submission holds, emphasizing leverage and technique over strength. Originating from judo, BJJ practitioners learn to control opponents using joint locks and chokeholds, making it an effective self-defense system suitable for people of all ages and sizes. With its emphasis on positional dominance and grappling, BJJ provides not only a practical skill set for real-life situations but also promotes physical fitness, mental focus, and personal growth.
Greco Roman Wrestling
Greco-Roman wrestling teaches effective close-range techniques, emphasizing throws and holds above the waist, making it an ideal discipline for mastering self-defense skills and building physical strength and agility.
Muy Thai
Muay Thai, often referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” is a striking martial art from Thailand that utilizes punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. For new students, Muay Thai offers a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, increases muscular strength and endurance, and enhances flexibility and coordination. Beyond physical benefits, Muay Thai teaches students discipline, focus, and respect, while also instilling self-defense skills that can boost confidence and promote personal safety.
Dutch Kickboxing
Dutch Kickboxing is influenced by Muay Thai but developed in the Netherlands and is characterized by its focus on punching and kicking combinations, faster-paced movement, and footwork. This high-energy martial art offers students a dynamic workout, improving cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, agility, and coordination, while also fostering mental focus, discipline, and self-confidence. With its emphasis on practical self-defense techniques suitable for real-life situations.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) integrates techniques from wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Dutch Kickboxing and other disciplines, offering practitioners a comprehensive combat sport experience with diverse physical and mental benefits. Beyond fitness, MMA equips individuals with practical self-defense skills, empowering them to protect themselves in real-life situations. This holistic approach to martial arts fosters personal growth and resilience.
getting started
Rates & Locations
Private Training Rates
$100/hour for 1:1 training at Paragon Goleta
$75/hour pp for 2:1 training at Paragon Goleta
$50/visit travel fee for in-home private training
Small group clinics available at custom rates
10% discount when pre-purchasing 10 lessons
15% discount when pre-purchasing 20 lessons
24-hour cancellation policy
Hours
Reservations can be made in advance for
Tues – 8am-6pm
Wed – 8am-6pm
Thurs – 8am-6pm
Fri – 8am-5pm
Sat – 9am-4pm
I am currently taking a waitlist for evenings and recommend booking sessions a week in advance.
Locations
Paragon Goleta – 5940 Calle Real, Goleta
In-home private training available throughout the greater Santa Barbara area including Goleta, Montecito, Summerland, Carpenteria, Buellton, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Ojai and Ventura.
Contact me
Let’s connect to create the ideal training program for your goals!
Email: dan@frequencymma.com
+1-805-696-2236
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior martial arts experience? What if I don’t know what style of fighting I want to learn?
No, I love teaching beginners because you have a fresh slate to start from. We can explore the different types of martial arts together to figure out what you enjoy most and develop goals together based off of your skills as we uncover them. We could spend a couple days boxing and figure out that you have a mean right hook, and then switch to wrestling and learn that you’re also great at takedowns. You never know what you’re capable of until you try. Once we discover your hidden strengths, we can blend them into a personal MMA style that makes you a force to be reckoned with.
Do I need to have my own equipment?
No, I have all the equipment you need to get started and will bring them to our sessions. Over time, we’ll figure out together the best equipment to buy if you’d like your own set.
Do you do in-home training?
Yes, I am happy to come to you for in-home training and I bring all the necessary equipment. All we need is a flat 5×10 area. Backyards and drive ways work fine.
How often do I need to train?
Like any sport, consistency and frequency help to build strong foundations and muscle memory. I recommend 2-3 sessions per week for real progress when it comes to MMA. Students typically start with 1 hour sessions. For best results, they often opt for 1.5-2 hour sessions so that there is time for both new skill development and drilling.
What if I am out shape?
Martial arts is an excellent way to get back in shape and we can take it at a pace that is comfortable and safe for you. The key is to ramp up cardiovascular conditioning, strength and agility in a measured fashion. We can tailor your MMA practice to support weight loss, muscle development and skills goals all at the same time.
What if I have disabilities or injuries that limit my movements?
We can work around almost any injuries and disabilities when we work 1:1 because we can craft a program together that is effective and safe for you. I have taught neuroboxing to senior citizens with neurological diseases including Parkinsons, developed programs for students recovering from joint surgeries, and worked with new moms wanting to regain core strength after giving birth. The possibilities with MMA are endless because of how we can blend techniques from different styles of martial arts into a style that is ideal for you.
What if I am most interested at learning self defense?
I enjoy teaching street adapted martial arts for the purposes of effective self defense. MMA training emphasizes realistic scenarios and practical techniques, preparing you to defend yourself in real-life situations.
What if I want to compete in MMA?
I currently coach and corner amateur MMA competitors. In these situations, we are working not only on developing skills but strategies that equate to winning in the cage. My students are currently undefeated.
What if I want to spar?
Sparring is a great way to get students used to putting all the pieces together, including blocking, returning fire and attack strategies. We can incorporate it into your training as you progress. They key is to integrate the practice safely when the time is right, particularly when it comes to MMA.
What if I want to learn without contact?
There is no need to make physical contact or be hit in order to master MMA. I coach using a variety of pads and approaches to ensure your safety and comfort.
Do you work with kids and teens?
I have worked with several hundred kids over the last 15 years as a martial arts coach, a youth minister, and as a teacher. I love working with kids and teens because it is an opportunity to help them build confidence, self-defense skills and develop their MMA skills at the same time. A number of my kids and teen clients have found their way to me because of bullying in school. Together, we work to develop their self-defense skills and de-escalation techniques as well as their emotional resilience.
How old do children need to be to get started?
Each child is different, but I have seen the most success with children five and older who are motivated to learn martial arts.
Am I too old to get started?
You are never too old to practice martial arts. I have taught students into their nineties.
Frequency MMA 