With over 30 years of martial arts experience, Mike Baig is more than a head instructor — he’s a mentor, motivator, and master of his craft. A true mixed-martial artist, Mike has black belts in seven different disciplines, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Fabiano Iha, Karate under Grandmaster Keith Rosary, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and American Jiu-Jitsu under Larry Landless. Mike blends deep technical knowledge with an unwavering passion for helping others reach their full potential.
A certified instructor under MMA legend Frank Shamrock, Mike has trained extensively in Muay Thai for over three decades under Kru Santi Sakkomkai and Malaipet Sasiprapa, and has competed in both Muay Thai and MMA, bringing real-world experience to every class he teaches.
Mike is also a certified referee and judge and serves as an instructor at Herb Dean’s Referee School, helping to uphold the highest standards and to shape the next generation of professions in combat sports . His professional background includes working as a bodyguard for several high-profile clients including Dr. Dre, demonstrating discipline and calm under pressure with real world experience.
At the core of it all, Mike is a teacher— committed to empowering students of all ages to grow in skill, confidence, and character. Prior to opening Apex MMA Gym, Mike was the owner of Submission Factory—a legendary MMA gym founded by Larry Landless in 1993. Submission Factory was the first complete mixed martial arts gym in California. Larry passed the torch to Mike in 2004 to continue the legacy where Mike trained fighters to become champions until 2020.
Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or preparing for your next fight, Mike’s mission is to help you grow — not just as a martial artist, but as a person. His teaching goes beyond technique, aiming to unlock confidence, resilience, and the mindset of a warrior in everyone he works with.
