DUBUQUE MARTIAL ARTS GROUP
ABOUT US CLASS INFO INSTRUCTOR INFO GALLERY CONTACT
"Ajarn" Dean "Leathal Legs" Lessei Dean Lessei is the owner and Chief Instructor of the Dubuque Martial Arts Group located in Dubuque Iowa. D.M.A.G. has been in operation since 1990. Dean began his formal martial arts training back in 1982 with Tae Kwon Do. His first exposure to the Filipino Martial arts came by training at a seminar with Tom Sipin in Doce Pares around 1985. Eventually his close friend and training partner Tim Mousel introduced Dean to Sifu Rick Faye late in 1986. From then on Dean began attending seminars and training camps as well as making trips to Minneapolis to train under Rick Faye. Through hard work and determination Mr. Lessei achieved instructor credentials in Jun Fan Martial Arts, Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai, and Jun Fan / JKD Grappling. Dean also ventured out on the competitive level in Muay Thai and Kickboxing becoming a 3 time T.B.C. heavyweight champion. Additionally Dean is a 2 time W.E.K.A.F. national champion in full contact Escrima. Over the last several years Mr. Lessei has been busy training his students, producing several regional, national, North American and World champions in Muay Thai and Kickboxing under the I.K.F and the TBA-SA. Also Dean has produced many regional and national champions as well as world medal winners in full contact Escrima in W.E.K.A.F. events. Dean’s focus has been in working with the younger generation developing the “juniors” at his gym. Dean also continues to teach around the Midwest through seminars and camps on women’s self defense, Muay Thai and Kickboxing fighter training, Kali and Jun Fan / Jeet Kune Do. In addition to being a martial artist and school owner, Dean is a husband to his beautiful wife Danielle, father to his wonderful children Savannah, Luke and Brooke and works full time as a designer of light gauge steel roof and floor trusses and holds the position of design department manager for the light gauge steel truss division at Cascade Mfg. Co. Dean has an extensive background in computer aided design and also holds a journeyman’s card as a tool and die mold maker. Professional Experience: Owner / Chief Instructor Dubuque Martial Arts Group, Dubuque, IA 1990-Present • 3 Time Thai Boxing Commission Heavyweight Champion Director Thai Boxing Association of the USA for the state of Iowa • Board of Directors Thai Boxing Association Sanctioning Authority • Certified Judge, Coach, Trainer International Kickboxing • Federation Muay Thai Advisory Board and Representative International Kickboxing Federation • Trainer and Head Coach Team Singto Muay Thai / Kickboxing with (+70) amateur World, North American, National and Regional champions under the I.K.F. and TBA-SA sanctioning bodies • Served as Corner man for Professional Muay Thai Champions Raul Llopis and Jeremy Harminson • Served as Cornerman for Professional Super Middleweight Boxer and Golden Gloves Champion Patrick Swan • Certified Referee World Escrima Kali Arnis Federation. Martial Arts Certificates: Senior Full Instructor “Ajarn” under Sadsadan-Ajarn Surachai Sirisute - Thai Boxing Associate Instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto - Jun Fan Martial Arts Associate Instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto - Filipino Martial Arts Full Instructor under Sifu Larry Hartsell - Jun Fan / Jeet Kune Do Grappling Instructor Level 1 under Sifu Rick Faye - Jeet Kune Do Concepts and Kali Instructor / Black Belt under Tim Mousel Additional Ranks Held: Brown Belt under Sensei Terry Smith - Judo Brown Belt under Lee Merrick - Tae Kwon Do

 

 

3430 Dodge St.   •   Dubuque, IA 52003 (lower level of Inn Plaza)   •   563-588-1012