Coach David Dash

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David Dash is the founder and head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor of Zen Mixed Martial Arts in Ottawa, Canada, where he has been teaching martial arts continuously since 2007. Zen MMA was built from the ground up after David transitioned from a successful career in telecommunications, opening the academy in Ottawa with a long-term vision of creating a high-level training environment focused on technical development, personal growth, and community.

He is a second-generation Carlson Gracie black belt and a first-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Master Marcus Soares, one of Canada’s highest-ranking and most respected BJJ instructors. David has trained under Marcus Soares throughout his entire Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career, maintaining a direct lineage to the Carlson Gracie system.

Blue Belt – November 26, 2009

Purple Belt – September 21, 2013

Brown Belt – September 24, 2016

Black Belt – December 27, 2021

First-Degree Black Belt – May 31, 2025

David began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2005 and has developed over two decades of continuous experience in grappling, striking, and mixed martial arts.

Muay Thai Kru Certification – August 2020 (Santai Gym, Thailand – Kru Phon)

SKF Karate Black Belt

WAKO Certified Coach

IMMAF Certified Referee

David has competed internationally across multiple organizations and rule sets:

NAGA Germany Grappling Championship (2017)

1st Place – No-Gi Directors Expert

2nd Place – Gi Masters Brown Belt

IBJJF International Montreal Open (2013)

1st Place – Men’s Senior 3 Middle Heavyweight Purple Belt

1st Place – Men’s Senior 3 Open Weight Purple Belt

NAGA East Coast Championships Boston (2011)

2nd Place – Gi Directors Middleweight Blue Belt

NAGA World Cup Florida (2009)

1st Place – No-Gi Masters Light Heavyweight Beginner

2nd Place – No-Gi Directors Heavyweight Intermediate

2nd Place – No-Gi Masters Light Heavyweight Intermediate

David has been coaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts in Ottawa since 2007, working with both children and adults across all levels of experience.

Over nearly two decades of coaching, he has developed numerous students who have gone on to achieve success in regional and provincial-level competition in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, including multiple provincial champions across youth and adult divisions.

He continues to lead Zen MMA’s kids and adult programs, focusing on structured development pathways that take students from beginner fundamentals through to competitive performance.

Zen Mixed Martial Arts was founded with the goal of creating a long-term training environment where students could develop skill, discipline, and confidence over time—not just train for short-term fitness or competition.

David’s coaching philosophy emphasizes technical precision, progressive development, and consistency, with the belief that martial arts should build both physical capability and personal character.

David also developed ZENMMA’s BJJ and MMA online training platform, which includes over 800 instructional videos organized by position, technique, and training goal, allowing students to continue structured learning outside of the academy.