Bloomsburg Martial Arts Academy Lineage and Coaches
At Bloomsburg Martial Arts Academy, our lineage is built on real martial arts experience, technical Jiu-Jitsu, and combat sports training. Our coaches have learned from respected instructors and competitors, and that background shapes how we teach every class.
Bloomsburg Martial Arts Academy, formerly known as BloomMMA, was founded by Joel Nott and continues to be led by him today.
Joel Nott
Joel is a lifelong martial artist whose background in martial arts spans over 30 years. Keeping with the traditional martial arts upbringing, we keep the traditional mindset alive in a non-traditional setting.
- 4th-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu
- Certified instructor under Frank Shamrock,the first UFC Middleweight Champion.
- Certified F.A.S.T. Defense Instructor, including Levels I, II, and Weapons
- Coach and trainer for professional and amateur athletes in kickboxing, boxing, submission wrestling, and mixed martial arts
- Over 20 years of experience teaching self-defense, with expertise in de-escalation and preemptive action strategies for high-risk environments
F.A.S.T. Defense was founded by Bill Kipp.
Joel also has training experience across multiple martial arts, including Judo, Aikido, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Escrima/Kali, Shito-Ryu Karate, Sambo, weapons training, and Japanese and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Joel has competitive experience in submission wrestling and mixed martial arts and now focuses on teaching group classes, private lessons, self-defense seminars, and competition coaching for amateur and professional combat sports athletes. With more than 20 years of coaching experience, he provides high-level technical instruction designed to help students improve their skills, prepare for competition, and develop through training.
Competition preparation is available for mixed martial arts, submission wrestling, boxing, and kickboxing. Training is tailored to each athlete’s experience level, from novice competitors to established professionals.
While quiet and reserved in day-to-day life, Joel’s passion is clear when he is working with students and teaching classes.
Additional Instructors
Every BMA instructor brings real-world combat sports competition experience along with coaching experience.
Aaron Kennedy
Aaron is one of our main instructors, a professional fighter and the reigning Art of War bantamweight champion.
Aaron oversees youth instruction and assists with adult classes and our competition team.
He does an outstanding job identifying each child’s needs and communicating with them effectively. As a result, kids make real progress toward their goals, and parents see clear improvements in both physical ability and maturity.
Aaron has been a lifelong competitor, wrestling from childhood through the collegiate level. During his wrestling career, he earned four state Greco-Roman titles.
After his wrestling career, Aaron turned to martial arts to continue his passion for competition in combat sports. He built a 7–3 amateur MMA record, won the PA CageFight featherweight title, earned the #1 amateur ranking, and completed his bachelor’s degree in philosophy before making his professional debut.
Nick Thompson
Nick is one of our kickboxing instructors and a college-level avionics instructor. He has trained in martial arts since 2011 and has competed in MMA, kickboxing, and submission wrestling.
Teaching since 2018, Nick leads kickboxing classes and helps with fighter preparation.
His approachable, laid-back nature makes students feel comfortable, but his classes are built to push you, improve your technique, and keep you fit.
Nick places a strong emphasis on conditioning for both life and fighting, helping students increase their physical capacity, sharpen their skills, and build lasting confidence.
Billy Magliane
Billy is our fitness and women’s kickboxing instructor and a lifelong martial artist who began training at 6 years old.
A talented all-around athlete, Billy competed in both wrestling and football in high school. As an adult, he built on that background by competing in amateur MMA, submission wrestling matches and tournaments, and semi-pro football for six years. He also continues to compete in wrestling tournaments.
With roughly 15 years of experience in fitness and the fitness industry, Billy brings both energy and knowledge to every class. His sessions are challenging, motivating, and suitable for all levels.
Billy is friendly, welcoming, and genuinely invested in helping people reach their goals. Whether you want better health, greater confidence, improved fitness, or competition readiness, Billy can help you get there.
Teachers and Lineage
