Tyler “Thunder” Toner – Muay Thai Coach

Inspired by “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “The Karate Kid”, Tyler Toner began his career in the Martial Arts at an early age. He began with Tae Kwon Do at the age of 5, studying for 6 years and winning a national title in the process.

He eventually moved on to the art of Jeet Kun Do, training under an early advocate of cross training and Mixed Martial Arts, Jerry Ellefson. It was Ellefson who took Tyler (10 years old at the time) to the very first Ultimate Fighting Championships in Denver; Tyler was mesmerized as he got his first glimpse of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, witnessing the smaller Royce Gracie manhandle his much larger opponents. Ellefson encouraged Tyler to seek out a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructor to continue his growth in Martial arts.

It took about 10 years, but sure enough, while studying at CU Boulder, Tyler came across Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Since early 2003, Tyler has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai at Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He received his blue belt in February of 2005, and fought and won in his first MMA bout in July of the same year. He is currently 9-1 in MMA, and can be seen fighting in Ring of Fire and Strike Force.

Tyler teaches Thai-Boxing and the children’s classes at Easton BJJ. Tyler is equally at home teaching a group of 5 year olds or a Thai Boxing class with over twenty adults. Come in and see for your self! Toner currently holds the rank of purple belt in BJJ.