i used to train under dan in elizabeth,NJ back in 97-2000, he ran a pretty cool mma school called (bayway academy of mma) and he had a couple champions in reality fighting and ring of combat, heavyweight (carlos K,O KING moreno) was one and had the belt for 2 years. as a matter of fact alot of the east coast ufc guys (matt serra) that fight now started out fighting in dans mma/muay thai competitions called ( bamma fight night) which he held about 4 times a year. serra was just a ground machine back then with average stand-up.dan was really cool and enjoyed teaching, alot of people dont know he trained under renzo for awhile and had nasty stand up as well as a solid no-gi ground game, i believe he was a renzo purple belt. he was signed and set to fight in pride(renzo helped get him the fight) back in late 97 and his wife was having thier first baby at the same time he was set to go to japan and he chose to miss pride and be by his wifes side and see his son be born, thats a good man and husband imo. he is bad ass but is a very nice guy, he used to work 11 hours at the water company then come teach us for 2 to 3 hours at the academy and then had a 1 hour plus ride back to his house by the jersey shore. the renzo newark,NJ academy used to pop buy and we would help them with thier stand up and they helped us with the ground game. the bittencourt brothers where the head instructors of the gracie newark team and they where bad ass with or without the gi. peace