Tiger Schulmann's MMA Bethlehem

Sensei Robert Villafane began training martial artists over 22 years ago. Initially inspired by Bruce Lee movies at a young age, Sensei convinced his parents to enroll him in the nearest martial arts school. Sensei Villafane began training in Tae Kwon Do, before transitioning to karate, but ultimately fell in love training at Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Marital Arts because it blended all styles of martial arts into one complete system. Sensei Villafane is proud to have achieved his black belt in all 3 disciplines. Sensei’s decision to pursue mixed martial arts full time derived from a brief hospital stay in his late teens, which convinced Robert that he needed to make positive changes in his fitness to sustain a long and healthy life. He soon pursued his instructor certification in hopes to help others reach the same goals that he has. He has now been a head instructor for 15 years.

“My favorite part of teaching is seeing the transformation mixed martial arts does to someone in a short amount of time,” During his tenure at Tiger Schulmann’s, Sensei Villafane has worked with students of all different ability levels; from kindergartners learning the very basics, to advanced self-defense training of police officers, FBI agents and members of the armed forces. Through training, he helps his students reach their goals of body toning, weight loss, in addition to self-defense. Sensei Villafane has taught many students with challenges such as autism or ADHD, and he knows that training in the mixed martial arts can help all students gain increased strength of mind as well as body.

Sensei Villafane is also a coach for the TSMMA competition team. Having been a competitor himself, Robert has won more than 100 total national grappling competitions, and went undefeated in grappling in 2001. He is credited with the current success of TSMMA’s most notable competitors; former Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good, UFC fighter Nick Pace, and King of the Cage Champion Jimmie Rivera. In addition to his full teaching and coaching schedule, Sense Villafane remains active within his community, teaching bully proof seminars at local schools, and hosting woman safe seminars for local women’s shelters and college organizations. He regularly donates to school fundraisers, and is active in helping with the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots Program.