Neil Melanson

Neil Melanson
Residence	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Style	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Catch Wrestling, Judo
Team	Hayastan Studio, Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts
Teacher(s)	Gokor Chivichyan, Gene LeBell, Karo Parisyan
Spouse	Erin Toughill (2009-present)
Notable students	Vitor Belfort, Randy Couture, Todd Duffee, Gray Maynard, Karo Parisyan, Goran Reljic, Chael Sonnen

Neil Melanson is an American combat sports coach, currently he is the Head Grappling coach at Jaco Hybrid Training Center. He is the former Head Grappling coach at both Xtreme Couture Las Vegas and Alliance MMA. Melanson specializes in Jujutsu, catch wrestling, guard, leg locks and triangle chokes. He has trained under Gene LeBell, Gokor Chivichyan, and Karo Parisyan (who awarded him his black belt).

Throughout his career, the professional fighters Melanson has trained include: Randy Couture, Karo Parisyan, Gray Maynard, Todd Duffee, Goran Reljic, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, and others.

Melanson also has worked with WWE professional wrestler Daniel Bryan, and was cited to teach Bryan The LeBell Lock, a hold that Melanson learnt from LeBell.

Prior to working at Xtreme Couture Las Vegas, Melanson spent seven years in the United States Navy and five years as a Special Agent for the Federal Air Marshals.

Melanson's book "Triangles from the Guard" was released by Victory Belt Publishing. The book serves as a complete guide to the physiology and science of triangle submissions.

Melanson married female MMA fighter Erin Toughill in a private ceremony on November 20, 2009. The couple is currently going through a divorce. Melanson was born with Behcet’s disease which caused him to go blind at the age of 28. With the help of doctors and Remicade Infusions, he regained sight but only in his right eye.

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Wikipedia