Archive for October, 2008

Posted on October 26, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

Tony Davila and Mike Sanders win divisions at Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu New England Open

One of the best ways to enhance your martial art training is to put it to the test in tournment competition.

Saturday October 25 proved a great day for members of the Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Network to step into the ring. Our full scale competition ring was set up in East Windsor near our new academy. It was an action packed day beyond compare. The Blue and Purple belt divisions decided every match by submission. Most brazilian jiu jitsu, mma, and grappling tournaments find competitors sitting around all day and night watching other people fight. Once you get in there many competitors play such a point oriented game that they just stall most of the time. It can be be very boring for the people on the mat and the people watching. The Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie Network Open was a totally different story. Even the white belt division was action packed with demonstration of very good technique and everyone going for submission.

Stay tuned at www.gracie-jiu-jitsu.com, www.ctmma.org, www.collegeMMAchallenge.com, and www.usMMAopen.com for more tournament opportunities and the results of our up and coming fighting talent.

Congratulations to Tony Davila, winning of the Blue/purple belt division. He won every match by submission. Congratulations also to Dan Durkee taking second place.

Mike sanders was the first place finisher in the white belt division, Luis Rosario placed Second.

Good work guys.

Posted on October 23, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

good timing in gracie jiu jitsu and mma

Practioners of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA talk about good timing. But what is good timing?

Fundamental awareness, knowledge of jiu jitsu technique, and timing are the primary ingrediants in Royce Gracie jiu jitsu. Like making a good sauce, everything comes back to a few very basic things.

In the beginning it is enough to know that when someone moves towards you in a real life self defense situation, you already have your hands up, and together, in front of your face and neck as a friendly but defense posture. If the hip or shoulder moves, that’s your cue to close the distance and give your “friend” a hug. You form a tight connection and give them your weight to carry around until they fall down because they are unable to keep their balance under pressure. You establish a mounted position and wait for them to try standing up. They will do this by trying to roll over. You move so they can easily roll and turn their back to you. When they raise their chin, you apply the choke.

You might just become friends because you solved the confrontation without hitting or kicking them. In your regular run of the mill “mixed martial art” club, people have generally lost touch with the roots.they want to “mix it up” so badly that they foget, or in many cases never really knew what this MMA craze is actually based on. Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a compassionate practice. Ghandi would have been a technical and fun loving ass kicking machine, on the mat, Gracie Jiu Jitsu style.

Later, in jiu jitsu practice, the process of seeing becomes more refined. We become less afraid of “bad positions” and more interested in exploring the possibilities. We can begin to develop and refine our timing because we are more playful and more alive and awake.

This is what we worked on in class last night. Timing. Timing is based on fundamental awareness, knowledge of technique, and the willingness to let go of what we are wanting and being being open for the next “thing” and being interested in what’s in between one position or circumstance to the next.

We worked from the side mount and set up a nice heavy position using a shoulder leverage strategy. We worked on taking the mount by using a knee slide. We worked on creating a reversal from the bottom by following our opponent at the right time and turning the situation into a nice tight choke (that we sometimes call the “Mark Zito.”) Zito is famous around here for choking us all with his super-tight-cup-the-shoulder-scoop-the-elbow-wake-you-up-with-a-forearm-accross-the-neck-choke. You could just as well call it the digital alarm clock choke. I used to call it the Dave Gomez. He taught me the choke the hard way in the Gracie Jiu Jitsu National Tournament years ago in the absolute division. I had won my weight division the day before. I was on top of the world. Then, in a lesson about how life is, Dave Gomez caught me in this choke seemingly out of the blue. I really felt like I was winning up to that point. However, his timing was better and next thing you know, I was passing out and I had no idea why. People don’t seem to like to talk about the times they had to tap. But that is one of the greatest moment for learning.

Back to last nights class. We learned how to defend the Zito-Gomez by seeing it coming earlier and earlier. And then by shifting a hand under an arm and moving to a north south position.

If you’re tuning into www.gracie-jiu-jitsu.com or www.RoyceGracieMMA.com for the first time, you might have a little trouble following what I am talking about. Jiu jitsu is like learning a language. Don’t worry. Just come on in and meet the guys. Its fun. Its actually like a chess game. Gotta learn the pieces and movements first, get the general lay of the land, then everything is revealed. Over and over.

The bottom line on timing is that is something that we cannot really point to or define in a solid kind of way. But, you know it when you see it. You also know it when you feel it. Timing is based on awareness, kinowledge of technique, and being willing to let go faster and faster.

Let go, faster and faster.

So get in here and learn and train Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Breath out and let go. Since life is always changing (especially lately I’ve noticed) the good timing you find in jiu jitsu will serve you well in ever aspect of life.

Here’s a little secret: Royce Gracie Gracie Jiu Jits magically solves all your problems. At least it seems to. I think that has to do mainly with the willingness and skillfulness of letting go that naturally arises from training. There is a lot of evidence suggesting that breathing and letting go is actually good for your health. More on that topic later.

To your success in Roye Gracie Jiu Jitsu and LIFE!

Jim Hughes

Posted on October 16, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament in Connecticut

Demonstrate your Jiu Jitsu Skills and improve your jiu jitsu and grappling techinique October 25, 2008

Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie New England GRAPPLING and JIU JITSU Tournament:

Open only to members of our network of schools throughout New England, plus anyone who has and any Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu member worldwide.

Tournament:

10/25 8:30am registration.

Competition begins immediately after the 9:30 rules meeting. (We run this thing pretty tight, you guys already know to show up on time and ready to go).

Full Gi only for this one.

Divisions:
1.White belt:
2.Blue and Purple:

Weight classes:
Below 179
Above 179

$40 registration. Cash at the door. (Gold Members, you are all set, come and compete).

Medals will be awarded plus our newly designed hooded sweat shirt and t shirt design worn by the Royce Gracie Mohegan Sun Fight Team in August — to those who place in each division.

This tournament will be held in our competition ring at Sportsworld, 226 Main St, East Windsor CT.

See you Saturday October 25 at 8:30AM SHARP.

Put the last weekend of January and March on your calendar for our next tournaments. These will be at Sportsworld (We will return to the beach next summer when it warms up).

Guys, remember the first tournament at Paddy’s? It was cold outside and we held it in the bar. We made it work but it was pretty tight. Well, we can fit about 1000 Paddy’s in our new winter home. We will have plenty of space.

In fact, I am thinking to add a little extra fun, we might just throw down an old school kick ball game that all our kids and and wives and girlfriends can join in along with us. Let see if we can talk our resident kickball expert, Ryan Greco, into being the Chief Petty Officer of organizing the activity. I was tinking that it might also be a good way to keep people warm while they are waiting for their match. But then I remembered, our tournament is not like your typical tournament. It is half the cost and 10 times better. It is action packed and we generally don’t have people sitting around all day and night waiting for a match. CHECK IN AT WWW.GRACIE-JIU-JITSU.COM OFTEN FOR DETAILS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR ROUCE GRACIE BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU AND MIXED MARTIAL ART COMMUNITY.

Bring your family and friends. There is NO charge for the audience. Tell them to bring their kick ball uniforms.

(I don’t know, I have not played kick ball since 5th grade. I do have a lot of good memories about the game. Ryan tells me that it is the up and coming thing to do. Listen, if you don’t want to compete, just come and hang out with us and invest your day in playing).

Now, get out there and LIVE THE LEGEND

Posted on October 14, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu & MMA in East Windsor/Enfield CT is almost ready

hey everybody, getting a new Royce Gracie brazilian jiu jitsu self defense and mma school open is a lot of work, but with the help of many hands we are almost ready to open. Our East Windsor/ Enfield ct academy will have a full menu of martial art training opportunities from our foundation of Royce Gracie Jiu jitsu to include gi and no gi classes, mma training using the ring and cage, stand up kickboxing and muay thai, SuperKids Jiu Jitsu and Karate class, Royce Gracie SuperFit Group Exercise and Conditioning and even a special fitness and self defense class that moms/dads can do with their baby/toddlers — its fitness and self defense that actually works — and its for everyone! stayed tuned into www.gracie-jiu-jitsu.com for details as they unfold.

Posted on October 12, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

Find a Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA Affiliated School or Academy

Check out the links below for a royce gracie brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts school or academy near you. first. go to www.gracie-jiu-jitsu.com for bjj/gjj throughout the new england areas including ct and mass.

then go check out:

Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Schools around the world

Royce Gracie
www.roycegracie.tv

Jeremy , Alexandria VA
www.gracieva.com

Greg Thompson, Durham NC
www.team-roc.com

Jason Culbreth, Raleigh NC
www.team-roc.com

Steve Gupton, Henderson NC
www.hendersonkarate.com/index.pml

Mike Kogan or Hallie Hair, Charlotte NC
nc.roycegracie.tv/

Marc Fletcher, Graham NC
www.roycegracie.tv/network.htm

James Speight, Greenville NC
www.groundgrappling.com/am-home.htm

Ray Simpson, Greensboro NC
tandrsimpson@aol.com

Jeff Reese, Scranton PA
www.gracie-nepa.com

Jim Campbell, Jupiter FL

http://www.harmonymartialarts.com/

Sensei Frank Cook, Naples FL
SenseiCook@gulfcoastaiki.com

Jon Burke, Orlando FL
www.apex-martialarts.com

Rob Khan, Tampa FL

http://www.gracietampa.com

Harlan Taylor, Port St Lucie FL
harlan@mmasportsplex.com

Brandon Durham, Bedford Hills NY

http://www.blackdragon2k.com/

Tosh Cook, Fresno CA
toshcook@worldnet.att.net

Ivan Kravitz, Laguna Niguel CA

http://www.usblackbeltacademy.com/

Evaldo Lima, Long Beach CA
www.neutralgroundsbjj.com

Craig Cramer, Cleveland OH
ccramer@roycegracie.tv

Mark Flynn, Pittsfield MA

http://www.pittsfielddojo.com/

Mike Torres, Bloomingdale NJ
info@tetsushin.com

Pat Hardy, Silsbee TX

http://www.tpcjiujitsu.com/

Jonny Garcia, Brownsville TX
jdmfgarcia@yahoo.com

Tony Torres, Houston TX
torresaponte@yahoo.com

Jason Hawkins, Paducah KY
trmaa@bellsouth.net

Chad Chilcutt, Arlington TN

http://www.memphiskarate.tv/

John Simons, King William VA

http://odysseymartialarts.com/dnn/

Lamonte B. Tyler, Charlottesville VA

http://www.teamroc-va.net/

Jeff Gordon, Germantown MD

http://www.graciemd.com/

Kendall Goo, Kapaa HI
kendallg15@hawaii.rr.com

Eric Aasen, Savage MN
info@americanfistlaw.com

Mike Stump, Parkersburg WV
stumpsmail@1st.net

John Oliverio & Charlie Wisport, Augusta GA
augustafighter@yahoo.com

Adam Martinez, Loveland CO

http://www.lovelandmartialarts.com

John Crouch, Arvada CO
jcbjj@comcast.net

David Benyamin, Carmiel Israel

http://www.bjj.co.il/

Roberto Fleischmann, Guatemala
bobi_9@yahoo.com

Roberto Bitar, Ecuador

http://www.bidokan.com/webpages/contenedora.htm

Pedro Shihan, Mexico
www.roycegracie-mexico.com

Steven Cowan, Norfolk UK

http://www.norfolkbjj.tk/

Jason Davenport, Leicester UK
www.bjjuk.com

Steve Marsden, Yorkshire UK
the@marsdens.plus.com

Shunji Akamine, Oita City Japan

http://www16.plala.or.jp/royce-gracie/

Gracie Japan, Tokyo Japan
www.graciejapan.com

Gracie Family Links

Royce Gracie
www.roycegracie.tv

Royler Gracie
www.rolyergracie.com

Rorion Gracie
www.gracieacademy.com

Rodrigo Gracie
www.rodrigogracie.com

Posted on October 11, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

brazilian jiujitsu and submission grappling tournament in ct

Demonstrate your brazilian Jiu Jitsu Skills and improve your submission grappling technique October 25, 2008 8:30am.this is a great way to get yoursef ready for MMA.

Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie New England GRAPPLING and BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU Tournament:put your martial art and self defense skills to the ultimate test.

Open to members of our network of schools throughout New England, plus anyone who has competed in our prior tournaments on the Beach, and any Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu member worldwide.

Tournament:

10/25 8:30am registration.

Competition begins immediately after the 9:30 rules meeting. (We run this thing pretty tight, you guys already know to show up on time and ready to go).

Full Gi only for this one.

Divisions:
1.White belt:
2.Blue and Purple:

Weight classes:
Below 179
Above 179

5 Minute time limit. See www.usMMAopen.com or www.collegeMMAchallenge.com for rules. Your points accumulate just like all our other tournaments and determine invitations to full scale shows. The rules are the same. The only difference is that we wearing gi’s and we are defining divisions by skill level and weight classes (our past tournaments have been ABSOLUTE divisions with random pool assignments.

$40 registration. Cash at the door. (Gold Members, you are all set, come and compete).

Medals will be awarded plus our newly designed hooded sweat shirt and t shirt design worn by the Royce Gracie Mohegan Sun Fight Team in August — to those who place in each division.

This tournament will be held in our competition ring set up at Sportsworld, 226 Main St, East Windsor CT. www.sportsworld.cc for directions.

See you Saturday October 25 at 8:30AM SHARP.

Put the last weekend of January and March on your calendar for our next tournaments. These will be at Sportsworld (We will return to the beach next summer when it warms up).

Guys, remember the first tournament at Paddy’s last year at this time? It was cold outside and we held it in the bar. We made it work but it was pretty tight. Well, we can fit about 1000 Paddy’s in our new winter home. We will have plenty of space.

In fact, I am thinking to add a little extra fun, we might just throw down an old school kick ball game that all our kids and and wives and girlfriends can join in along with us. Let see if we can talk our resident kickball expert, Ryan Greco, into being the Chief Petty Officer of organizing the activity. I was thinking that it might also be a good way to keep people warm while they are waiting for their match. But then I remembered, our tournament is not like your typical tournament. It is half the cost and 10 times better. It is action packed and we generally don’t have people sitting around all day and night waiting for a match.

Bring your family and friends. There is NO charge for the audience. Tell them to bring their kick ball uniforms.

(I don’t know, I have not played kick ball since 5th grade. I do have a lot of good memories about the game. Ryan tells me that it is the up and coming thing to do. Listen, if you don’t want to compete, just come and hang out with us and invest your day in playing).

Now, get out there and LIVE THE LEGEND,

To your success in Jiu Jitsu and in LIFE!

JIM HUGHES &
ROYCE GRACIE JIU-JITSU NEW ENGLAND
11 GREAT LOCATIONS!!!
SAFE, FUN, FITNESS & PROVEN SELF DEFENSE
262 Park Road
West Hartford CT 06119
www.RoyceGracieMMA.com
www.collegeMMAchallenge.com
www.Super-Fit.org
www.SuperKids-Karate.com

Posted on October 5, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

ct royce gracie brazilian jiu jitsu head coaches complete re-certification in first aid

While we have a low injury rate throughout our ct and mass schools, first aid is an important and fundamental requirement for all Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Certified Instructors. We want our members to have the best instruction and the best care, even in the event of being hurt or injured. So, we meet regularly for re-certification in our CPR and first aid skills. Part of our training involves specialized guidance on the more common injuries that could occur in our practice environments. Naturally, the best medicine is always prevention, as coaches, we work hard to pay attention to what we teach, how we teach it, and how students put their skills to use. We don’t allow knee bars or heel hooks during open sparring. We don’t allow neck cranks either. Its just too easy to get hurt. And the truth is, if you can catch the knee bar, then you are good enough to catch an ankle lock where there is less likelihood to get injured. It you can do a neck crank, then you are skilled enough to apply a proper choke. A neck crank is a terrible move for a real self defense situation. The choke is the ideal submission for real life. Plus, a choke, while the most deadly move, is also the safest because your partner will know he is caught and can give up. This is the safest way to train. However, if accidents happen, we are ready thanks to our first aid training. We are fortunate to have Perry Siegel on staff as our Director of Safety. Perry is a Certified First Aid Trainer as well as an experienced health care porfessional managing multiple health care facilities and personel. Perry is a great help to all the coaches and our members in this regard and we are grateful for his important contributions. In addition, we have a lot of medical professionals as members. That really helps when we have many hands and eyes looking after this place we all love. Let’s continue to do a good job working together to keep our Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy safe, here is Connecticut, Massachusettes, and beyond.

To your success, and to your safe training in Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu!

Jim Hughes
www.gracie-jiu-jitsu.com

Posted on October 4, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

Kimbo Slice vs Seth Petruzelli, Elite XC MMA

Anything can happen in a fight. Thats why training in Gracie Brazilian Jiu jitsu as close to the source as possible is so important. We cycle though the most common situations and the highest percentage success solutions. Then we put it to the test in sparring to develop our technique and timing. Shows like Elite XC are very entertaining for fans of MMA in CT and MASS. However, most of our members are not training to compete in those type of events. Most are interested in fitness and self defense that works. Petruzelli did a good job. He showed up and came out swinging and throwing a front kick when backed up to the cage. He put the pressure on when Kimbo was down. It was a good example of putting heat on one’s opponent.

Posted on October 4, 2008 - by Jim Hughes

Congratulations Jake Shields, Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black belt, over Daley in Elite EX MMA event Oct 4

Jake Shields faced of with Daley, a very tough Muay Thai stand up kick boxing fighter, in an Elite XC MMA event Saturday night. It was Gracie Jiu Jitsu basics all the way with Shields taking his opponent down, establishing the mount and winning by arm bar. The fight also highlights the importance of learning how to escape the mounted position. Once Daley was mounted, it was very difficult for him to defend himself. Well done Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Jake Shields.