Erik Charles - Founder
At age 12, Erik began training in the martial art of his childhood hero Bruce Lee. In order to pay for classes, Erik delivered newspapers around his neighborhood and sold gum at his school.
Now, Erik is one of only two Full Instructors in Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan/JKD under Sifu Kevin Seaman and an instructor in Muay Thai under both Kevin Seaman and Ajarn Surachai Sirisute. In addition, he was certified as a Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis counselor in 1998.
As a competitor, Erik won his first National Full Contact Championship at age 15. He went on to win numerous awards and titles since that time including the prestigious 1999 New York State Golden Gloves Heavyweight Boxing Championship. In 2008, Erik was selected from thousands of fighters, from all over the world, to be a contestant on Season 7 of Spike’s hit TV show ‘The Ultimate Fighter’.
He has experience in working with numerous organizations as a mentor for at risk youth and teaches numerous classes at all three CNY MMA locations. Erik also teaches a Boxing and a Muay Thai class at Cornell University. Train with Coach Charles for FREE!
Tamdan McCrory - Co-Founder
Tamdan came to CNY MMA as a young college kid on academic probation.
Within five months he would become one of the youngest athletes (19 yrs old) to win an NABC world title and the World Fight League Welterweight Championship Belt. Six months later, the premier mixed martial arts organization in the world, the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC, came calling for the undefeated young prospect. On June 12, 2007, McCrory won his UFC debut by tapping out MMA veteran, Pete Spratt in the second round.
In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Tamdan got his college career back on track. In May of 2008 he graduated from the State University of NY at Cortland with a degree in Kinesiology, proving he's just as much brains as brawn.
Tamdan is a mentor and role model for our CNY MMA Program and takes pride in teaching our CNY MMA Youth Program. He continues to evolve as a competitor, training in many martial arts disciplines, and shares the products of his success with the students he trains at CNY MMA. Train with Coach McCrory for FREE!
Sifu Kevin Seaman
Sifu began his formal martial arts training in 1970. To date he has achieved advanced instructor levels in seven different martial arts systems, totaling eight black belts, is a certified boxing coach, Thai Boxing Instructor, certified police defensive tactics instructor, published author, and certified personal trainer. He also has an extensive background in exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, mental performance, and nutrition.
He was personally trained by Bruce Lee's Top Student and Protege Mr. Daniel Inosanto for over 25 years, having achieved one of the highest ranks awarded by Mr. Inosanto. Sifu owned and operated the East West Martial Arts Academy in Cortland for 19 years.
In 2000, Kevin developed the Winning Mind Set System for optimal success, with his student and friend Jim Brault of Rochester, NY. Last year they released their new book: The Winning Mind Set -Unleashing The Power Of Your Mind! A three time Hall of Fame inductee, being inducted into the ZDK, AMA and World Martial Arts Hall of Fame's, honored for a Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award in Atlantic City in 2001. At the age of 37 was a World Champion Silver Medalist in full contact stickfighting, competing in south east Asia at the 1992 World, Kali, Arnis Championships at the Aquino Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines. Three time Eastern National Champion in full contact fighting.
