Gregory Perella & Connor Poirier Fundraising for International Competition
Two of America’s Best Defense Franklin’s most dedicated students are about to take their martial arts journey to the next level.
Gregory Perella and Connor Poirier, both 1st degree black belts in American Kenpo, 2025 black belt candidates in ABD’s Krav Maga program, and assistant Kids Karate instructors at ABD Franklin, will be competing in the U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships this summer in Orlando, Florida.
Considered to be one of the most prestigious Open Sport Martial Arts competitive events in the world, the event draws top martial artists from around the globe.
For Connor and Gregory, the opportunity to compete is the culmination of years of training, commitment, and personal growth. They’ll both be representing Team Next Element, a high-level competitive team created by coach Dante Rodrigues.
Transitioning From Karate Class to Sport Karate
Connor, 17, and Greg, 16, only started competing in Sport Karate about a year ago, initially representing America’s Best Defense Franklin in local tournaments. When both boys expressed interest in competing at a higher level, Sensei Mike Saunders connected them with Dante Rodrigues.
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“I met Dante a few years back when he offered to run a seminar at ABD Franklin,” Greg says. “When I started competing, Sensei Saunders said Dante was a great resource to help me get into more of that kind of stuff.”
“I started doing lessons with (Dante) just over a year ago,” Connor says. “Around the end of 2024 he started hosting camps with me, Greg, and some other local competitors he knew and formed Team Next Element.”
Their path to the U.S. Open hasn’t been easy. Balancing high school coursework, daily martial arts training, and the added intensity of competition prep, both students have committed themselves fully to the process.
“The most challenging part for me has probably been weapons tricks,” Connor says. “Having to keep up with the sport while making sure I still catch everything has provided an extra challenge.”
Greg says that competing with martial artists at and above his level has been “really challenging.”
“Especially since I have only competed for a year, I have to go against people who have been competing for their whole life,” he says. “It forces me to make forms that are unique to the circuit with moves that will catch the judges’ eyes.”
Despite the growing pains, both say competing with Team Next Element has been a journey filled with fun and growth.
“Even though I have to train so much now, it has been so much fun because I get to train with my teammates and friends,” Greg says.
“Being on the team is a really fun experience,” Connor says. “We are a team of very skilled competitive martial artists, but we’re also a good group of friends. It’s a very good source for both support and motivation.”
What Makes Them Stand Out
Both athletes’ training includes a blend of Sport Karate, Kenpo, and Krav Maga—giving them both a unique edge.
“Competing primarily in forms means that most of what I do comes from Kenpo, but also training in Krav Maga has added an aggression element to my forms that makes them better and stronger,” Connor says. “Especially because forms aren’t just doing the moves and cool tricks. A lot of it is showing the judges that you have power and that you can beat someone up in a fight, and Krav is very helpful in that aspect.”
Greg agrees, saying that training in Krav Maga has brought more power to his Sport Karate forms—something that sets him apart from many of his competitors.
“I can’t flip and trick as well as the other people, but what I can do is have power,” Greg says. “Because of my consistent training in Krav Maga, I learned how to apply the power from padwork into my forms.”
Instructors at America’s Best Defense Franklin stressed that their success hasn’t come from talent alone—it’s the product of grit, repetition, and a whole lot of self-driven practice.
“What impresses me most is how driven they are,” says Sensei Mike Saunders. “Their foundation was built at ABD, but their success comes from the hours they both put outside of class. They’re constantly showing me videos of them practicing forms in their backyards or working on tricks. That dedication is what really makes the difference at the elite level.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Both students have deep roots in the ABD community, and they hope their journey can inspire the next wave of martial artists coming up through the program.
“I remember seeing my instructors and saying to myself how cool they are,” Greg says. “Even if the kids think of me a fraction of what I thought of mine, I’ll be happy.”
“If you want to do something, all you have to do is ask someone who can get you there,” says Connor. “Use the people around you to propel yourself higher.”
Their instructors have seen firsthand how far that mindset has taken them—and how much they’ve grown.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Greg and Connor—not just for competing at this level, but for how much they’ve grown as martial artists through this journey,” Sensei Saunders says. “They’ve taken everything they’ve learned at ABD and pushed it even further. Their work ethic, discipline, and passion are what truly set them apart.”
Support Their Journey to the ISKA U.S. Open
Competing at the U.S. Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships is a huge honor—but it also comes with a huge financial commitment. Entry fees for multiple divisions can add up to hundreds of dollars per competitor, and that’s on top of airfare, lodging, meals, and equipment.
To help cover the costs of their trip, Connor and Greg are hosting a series of tricking seminars at each America’s Best Defense location.
The boys say they’re excited to expose Kids Martial Arts and Teen Krav Maga students to Sport Karate by teaching them how to perform some of the flashy tricks and stunts they use in competition.
“We constructed the seminars in a way where everyone can walk away with at least one new skill,” says Greg. “Students can expect to learn new awesome kicks and a fun form.”
The tricks they’ll be teaching “look cool but are also really easy to do,” Connor adds. “We’re incorporating competition-style forms and combos, different from the types of things they’d see in normal class.”
Greg and Connor have poured countless hours into their training, and they’re doing everything they can to represent both Team Next Element and the ABD community on one of the biggest stages in martial arts.
Now, we have a chance to show up for them the way they’ve shown up for so many others.
Stop by the front desk at your ABD location to sign your child up for the tricking seminar or make a donation to support their journey to the U.S. Open!
Seminar Schedule:
- ABD Franklin: May 24
- ABD North Attleboro: June 6
- ABD Mansfield: June 20
- ABD Shrewsbury: June (Exact Date TBD)
Ready to Start Your Child’s Martial Arts Journey?
Greg and Connor’s story is proof that big dreams start with small steps—and the right community. If your child is interested in building confidence, learning self-defense, and having fun while developing lifelong discipline, America’s Best Defense offers martial arts programs for kids and teens of all experience levels. Contact us today to get started!
