John Botello is the Chief Instructor and owner of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Phoenix, one of the most established No-Gi academies in the country. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, John combines discipline, experience, and passion to create a high-level yet welcoming training environment.

Born and raised in Harlingen, Texas, John began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2001 while serving in the Navy, training under Relson Gracie in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After a year of training, he relocated to San Diego, California, and began traveling to Los Angeles to further his development, training with Rickson Gracie and Rickson black belt Fabio Santos, who awarded him his blue belt.

While in Los Angeles, John was introduced to Eddie Bravo. After just one class, he was hooked. He made the decision to fully transition away from the traditional Gi and dedicate himself to the 10th Planet system, continuing his training at 10th Planet Hollywood.

After leaving the Navy in 2006, John planned to return to Texas but was convinced by family to stay in Arizona. He continued training at Sitan Gym in Chandler under Edward Rene Sanchez, earning his purple belt in 2006.

John was officially certified to teach the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system on January 26, 2007, and his academy became Eddie Bravo’s first 10th Planet affiliate school. Today, he holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt under Eddie Bravo and is recognized as the first 10th Planet black belt in Arizona. His contributions to the system earned him induction into the 10th Planet Hall of Fame.

As an instructor, John is known for his patience, attention to detail, and ability to break techniques down step-by-step for students of all experience levels. He fosters a culture that is friendly, competitive, and ego-free, making his academy a place where both beginners and seasoned practitioners can thrive.

John continues to compete regularly, driven by his love for the process and the challenge of competition. He firmly believes that the best is still ahead—not only for 10th Planet Phoenix, but for the entire 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu community.