Professor Wayne Knudsen is a 37-year-old Black Belt under 4th degree Black Belt Professor Bruno Mendes co-founder of Soul Fighters. He is the owner and head coach of SMAA. Knudsen started competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shortly after he started his practice eighteen years ago. Knudsen was a blue belt when he started his first school part-time in his garage because of the lack of training in his area.

His passion grew and led him to leave a lucrative career to pursue his Jiu-Jitsu dreams full-time nine years ago. SMAA, Synergy Martial Arts Academy has grown into the premiere training facility in the Shreveport/Bossier City area. Knudsen opened a new location in 2021 in Texas fulfilling his dream to open an academy for the Texarkana area. Then adding a third location in Monroe LA in 2025. SMAA currently has over 200 students between all locations that meet to train seven days a week.

He received his Black Belt on the podium at the 2019 Pan Am Championship from Professor Bruno Mendes after winning Double Gold submitting 4 out of 7 of his opponents. He made his Black Belt debut just two weeks later, also claiming gold at the IBJJF Orlando Open.

His favorite training partner is his 9-year-old daughter, Wyatt.