MEET THE SOUTH TAMPA JIU-JITSU & MMA INSTRUCTORS

After several years of Tae Kwon Do, Lane sought the challenge of full-contact competition and transitioned into kickboxing. He compiled an impressive 21-4-1 record, earning the PKC National Kickboxing Championship while developing the discipline and competitive mindset that would define his career.

In 1994, after watching the very first UFC, Lane realized that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was the missing piece to becoming a truly complete martial artist. He began training in BJJ and became one of the early pioneers of mixed martial arts in the United States.

During the mid-to-late 1990s, Lane competed professionally in mixed martial arts, finishing with a 12-4-1 record. His career included competing in International Vale Tudo Championship (IVC) in Brazil and Pancrase in Japan, two of the world’s premier organizations during the formative years of MMA.

As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, Lane has continued to challenge himself at the highest levels of the sport, earning a bronze medal at the IBJJF World Masters Championship, a silver medal at the IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and numerous additional tournament medals throughout his competitive career.

Lane earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Ball State University, providing a strong foundation in human movement, exercise physiology, and athletic performance. He later earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Florida, combining his passion for teaching with the leadership and business skills needed to build one of Tampa Bay’s premier martial arts academies.

Today, Lane brings together decades of competitive experience, academic education, and a passion for teaching to help students of every age and skill level achieve their goals. Whether someone is stepping onto the mats for the very first time, training for self-defense, improving their fitness, or pursuing championship-level competition, his commitment remains the same: to help every student become the strongest version of themselves.

In addition to coaching on the mats, Lane shares his passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, martial arts, and personal development with a growing online community of more than 75,000 followers across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, where he provides instructional content, training insights, and inspiration to martial artists around the world.

Lane and his wife, Sheryce Andrews, M.D., are proud parents of four children. When he isn’t teaching or training, he enjoys coaching youth flag football and spending time with his family.

While Lane is proud of his accomplishments as a competitor and instructor, he considers his greatest achievement to be building South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu into a place where people of all ages can learn, grow, and belong. Every class, every program, and every decision is guided by one simple mission: building a stronger community by developing stronger people.

Michael started training in 2011 at 19 years old, beginning at the FSU Jiu-Jitsu Club. His commitment stood out early, and within a short period of time he became the President of the club.

After a while at the FSU Jiu-Jitsu club, Michael decided to try his hand at the FSU Boxing club, competing in the Collegiate National Tournament and rounding out his stand-up game.

After boxing and doing Jiu-Jitsu for three years, Michael made the transition to MMA at a local gym, Train. Fight. Win. There he honed his Muay Thai and other skills and fought multiple times in Muay Thai, Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA.

In 2017, Michael and his fiancée, Amanda, moved to Tampa and joined South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu. He has been with us ever since, going pro in MMA in 2024 and earning his BJJ black belt under Lane Andrews in July 2026.

Robby began training in combat sports at South Shore Sport Fighting the summer after he graduated high school in 2008, after a friend introduced him to the gym.

When he left for college at West Virginia University, he continued training at Morgantown Martial Arts. In the Fall of 2009 he tested himself in his first MMA fight and won by TKO, following up in 2010 with a three-round decision win.

He continued to train off and on over the next few years while balancing his bachelor’s degree and cheering on the WVU Mountaineers.

After graduating from WVU in 2012, he moved back to Massachusetts and trained consistently at South Shore Sport Fighting, continuing to compete in grappling tournaments and fighting MMA two more times, going 1-1.

In 2015, Robby moved from Marshfield, MA to Tampa, FL and began training at South Tampa Jiu-Jitsu, where he has been ever since. He had one more MMA fight but lost to a submission, and decided to train for fun while still competing regularly in BJJ. In July 2026, he earned his black belt from Lane Andrews.

Outside of the gym, Robby works in software development, is an avid boater, and travels frequently to attend BJJ camps in Colombia and Peru to continue his Jiu-Jitsu journey with his families there.