World Jiu Jitsu Expo

The Jiu-Jitsu Expo and 2012 Spring Open took Long Beach, California on May 10th. Called the "World" Jiu-Jitsu Expo as it's premeire on the scene the Gracie clan pulled out all the stops. It was a who's who of the brazilian jiu-jitsu community. Who was on site, just about everyone you would, should or could know.

Renzo Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr, Fabio Santos, Jacare, Conpedro, Braulio Estima, Kayron Gracie, Kyra Gracie, Kron Gracie, Jeff Glover, Alvaro Romano, Mike Fowler, Chris Haueter, Caio Terra, Mendes Brothers, Andres Galvao, Werdum ... Laranja.... and many more...

Super Jiu-Jitsu Fight: Diaz vs Estima - No Show!

The accusations fly between Nick, the promoter and Braulio. ... read more

Braulio steps out and says a few words to the crowd...

Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Double Gold
Blue Belt Medalist Jared Dopp Interview

The Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championship once again was the site for the spawning and introduction to a new breed of future stars in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Apart of this group of rising figures is Lovato BJJ blue belt Jared Dopp. A native of Oklahoma who currently resides in Wichita Falls, Texas Dopp dedication to the sport is unparalleled in all areas.

Through consistently pushing himself to the limit in intense workouts to making the long trip to Oklahoma City to train with his instructor this commitment clearly explains his recent achievements of obtaining double gold at the Pam Ams in the blue belt super heavy and open weight class division.

This discussion with BJJ Legends^TM, jiu-jitsu magazine takes an in-depth gaze at Dopp has he reveals to readers his laborious journey to the medal podium.

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IBJJF Falling Short?

In an emotionally expressive rant on Facebook, Andre Galvao multiple IBJJF world and ADCC champion, expresses his distress from experiences at the 2012 Pan Jiu-Jitsu tournament.

According to Galvao, the IBJJF only had one referee per match where three should be expected.  Referees work all day managing the matches under a lot of pressure and scruitiny.  The referees are often one of the most talked about items on the IBJJF events.  The points assigned and calls, often in the past its been widely understood that the decisions are often weighted or political.  The IBJJF has tried to counter that notion by establishing schooling and seminars for their referees.  Assembling a structured program and education, however the idea still prevails amongst competitors.

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BJJ Rules Clarified

IBJJF rules get clarified by Andre Terencio - IBJJF Referee. With the Pan Americans around the corner, this is one not to miss.

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Hall Uses Jiu-Jitsu to Subdue Person Threatening Him

A video is making the rounds on Youtube and Facebook regarding an incident with Brazilian Jiu-Jijtsu Black Belt, Ryan Hall, and an aggrevated man threatening him repeatedly at a restarant in New Jersey after a Grappler's Quest tournament. Hall is slight by comparison to the man, and the aggresor's freind even interjects. It's an interesting scenario as the man appears to be under the influence and looking for a fight.

Hall does let the man have his say about anything and everything while his friend tries to subdue his anger. When a brief set of exchanges occur as the man is in Hall's face, within inches, Hall acts accordingly by driving him to the ground with a double leg takedown. Then mounting him which puts the agressor now in a very controllable state. Later, Hall has to act again and subdue the man putting him to sleep as the police arrive out in the street.

This scenario does raise serious questions regarding the use of force, practicality of jiu-jitsu as a sport vs self-defense, the responsibilites of black belts - people of knowledge and how law enforcement/the law recognize the use of this force.  Ryan Hall, did the most appropriate level of action.  It was imperitive he acted due to the threatening nature of the agressor, his posture, and distance. Given his previous actions it would have been irresponsible not to act and he used the appropriate amount of force to subdue the man.

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Jiu-jitsu Wold Champ Interview

Roger Gracie and Clark Gracie interviewed post San Diego, CA seminar. The two cousins easily banter about Roger's MMA interest and aspiring career, the seminar, and what it takes to be a great in developing your jiu-jitsu.

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Murilo Bustamante

with Brazilian Top Team

Name: Murilo Bustamante
D.O.B.: July 30, 1966
P.O.B.: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height: 6'1" (186cm)
Weight: 185lbs (84kg)
Record: 14 - 8 - 1
Rank: 5th degree black belt in BJJ

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Big news has arrived for all of you MMA and BJJ enthusiasts! Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk will be conducting a seminar at the Academy Of Soo Do Thai! The information regarding this seminar is listed below!!!

Date: Thursday December 15, 2011

Location: Academy Of Soo Do Thai-21403 John R. Rd Hazel Park MI, 48030

Time: 3-6pm

Fee: $75 (if you have purchased a ticket to the fights the following day, otherwise $100)

Ontop of being the former UFC Champion, he is also a top notch wrestler and expert jiu-jitsu practitioner! He will be sharing all of these skills with us at the seminar!!!

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Many martial artists, BJJ and jiu-jitsu practicioners have a day job.  Only a few make a living out of practicing their art. Meet George Birkadze, an avid martial artist who practices and teaches MMA fighting, grappling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.  His day job is not what one can expect from such a tough BJJ guy.  George is a world famous ballet dancer, instructor and choreographer.  Martial arts helped him to survive tough teen years in Moscow where local bullies taunted him for being a dancer. Over the years this fighting hobby became something more—a life-long passion.

In a recent interview George opened up about his life in Georgia (a country in the Caucasus Region, former part of the Soviet Union).  As a young boy George started taking ballet lessons because he dreamed of traveling around the world.  In those years becoming a famous artist was the only way a USSR citizen would be allowed to travel anywhere outside of the Soviet Block.  When he was 15 years old, George received an invitation to study at prestigious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia. While living in Moscow he encountered the bullies and started practicing Karate and Judo.  Around the same time he met and became friends with Feodor Emelyanenko, who later became one of the greatest MMA fighters in the world.

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Ventura, CA- Located less than a mile away from the sunny beaches of Ventura, CA is Paragon Jiu-Jitsu led by the legendary Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller. Paragon Ventura is a 4,400 square foot BJJ training facility equipped with full locker rooms, fitness equipment and plenty of mat space to roll jiu-jitsu.

The meaning of Paragon (Par·a·gon) is a model of excellence or perfection of a kind; a peerless example. That is exactly how Ricardo Miller likes to run his jiu-jitsu academy,  by setting an example for his BJJ students on and off the mats. Ricardo has been and still is very active in the BJJ / grappling competition scene, just recently taking home gold at the 2011 American Nationals in both the gi and nogi medium heavyweight senior 2 division.

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