Scott Kaplan

Born on September 4, 1986, in White Plains, New York, Scott Kaplan spent much of his childhood in Saratoga Springs, NY, after relocating there during his pre-teen years. Athletic by nature, he explored multiple sports and traditional martial arts before stepping away from those disciplines around the age of 12.

Kaplan's return to the mats came roughly a decade later, around 2003, driven by a renewed interest in self-defense. His entry point into jiu-jitsu came through childhood friend Matt Riddle, whose influence proved pivotal in shaping his early training path. Committed to developing his skills despite financial constraints, Kaplan worked in construction to fund his tuition, supplementing formal mat time with informal sessions alongside dedicated training partners.

Las Vegas: Purple and Brown Belt Development

Kaplan's development took a significant step forward when he relocated to Las Vegas to train alongside Matt Riddle. There, he became a student of Cameron Diffley, who guided him through pivotal stages of his growth, awarding him both his purple and brown belts. During this period, Kaplan also took on a coaching role, leading the grappling program at the Throwdown Training Center — an experience that sharpened his ability to develop MMA fighters' submission grappling games and built a well-rounded coaching foundation.

New York City: Training at the Marcelo Garcia Academy

Seeking further development, Kaplan moved to New York City and immersed himself in the high-level environment of the Marcelo Garcia Academy. Training under Marcelo Garcia and alongside elite practitioners including Vinny Magalhaes and Fredson Paixao, he refined his technical game across both Gi and No-Gi formats. On May 10, 2017, Marcelo Garcia awarded Kaplan his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt — a recognition of years of dedicated training, coaching, and competitive growth.

10th Planet Black Belt

In 2018, Kaplan earned a second black belt, this one in the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, conferred by Vinny Magalhaes. The achievement reflects the breadth of his technical expertise and his commitment to mastering distinct grappling methodologies beyond traditional Gi-based systems.

Following his black belt promotion, Kaplan stepped into a primary instructor role at the Marcelo Garcia Academy in New York City, embodying the technical philosophy and values of the Marcelo Garcia lineage. The academy, a cornerstone of the New York BJJ community, faced a significant disruption when it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic alongside gyms worldwide.

In March 2021, the Marcelo Garcia Academy reopened with Kaplan and Matheus Diniz serving as head instructors, working to reestablish the program for returning and new students alike. Kaplan brings to the role the full depth of his background — spanning grassroots training, elite competition environments, and extensive MMA grappling coaching — making him a central figure in the academy's continued operation and growth.