Author Archive

Posted on May 1, 2010 - by Jim Hughes

Jim Hughes UCONN Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Class Sylabus

SYLLABUS
AH 1200: Introduction to Martial Arts
Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self Defense and the Evolution of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Instructor: Jim Hughes, Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

Royce Gracie Black Belt, Jim Hughes, is the course instructor. His office hours are immediately after class. He is one of a handful of Black Belts promoted by Royce Gracie and is the Chief Instructor of a network of 10 Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kick Boxing, and Self Defense and MMA Academies. Mr. Hughes is also on the faculty of the UCONN Medical School for his work in the Clinical use of Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga in Healthcare and is a prior instructor at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center Stress Reduction Clinic, as well a former adjunct faculty of the Southern Connecticut State University. UCONN Adjunct Faulty, Paul Bratslavsky, Certified Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Coach, will assist the instructor. more information may be found at and

Uniform Requirement:

Uniforms are not required. Students may wear comfortable athletic wear. However, they may wear a plain white karate or judo/jiu jitsu style uniform with a white belt if they like.

Recommended reading:

* The Path to Black Belt: Rodrigo Gracie, Invisible Cities Press, 2005
* Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self Defense Techniques: Royce Gracie, Invisible Cities Press, 2005
* Royce Gracie Self Defense in Stress Reduction and Health, Jim Hughes, Work in Process

Introduction:

Jiu-Jitsu is a growing international sport and self-defense art popularized by the Gracie Family from Brazil. Royce Gracie, utilizing his families Martial Art, propelled himself to international fame by winning the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a new genre of martial art was born –MMA. The training process of Gracie jiu-jitsu is a well-formulated and studied process. It helps students learn effective self-defense skills quickly and easily.

Course Objectives: The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in the basic self-defense plan of Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Self Defense & MMA through practical physical exams.

2. Students will learn basic strategies as they apply to this martial arts discipline.

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the history, philosophy, and training principles of Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA as evaluated by final written and oral examinations.

Learning points and objectives:

In this class section, students will learn the basic self-defense plan of Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Self Defense & MMA and how Mr. Gracie used that strategy to win competitions in the ring such as UFC, Pride, and K1. The basic strategy includes 1) Closing the distance; 2) Establishing the clinch; 3) Organizing a take down; 4) Achieving a dominate position; 5) Protecting oneself in bad positions; 6) Reversing bad positions and improving positions; 7) Concluding the fight with a submission hold; 8) How to cause one’s opponent to “give up” without hurting them.

Approximately half the class time will be invested in learning the technique and half in discussion of the strategy. Students of any physical condition can learn this practice. Students with significant physical challenges will be taught to learn the way Royce Gracie’s father, the creator of Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, initially learned when he was unable to physically do “moves.”

Assessment:

1. Students will be required to demonstrate the basic fight plan with a partner in a slow and cooperative manner at the end of the semester.

2. Students will be required to write and present a paper in class on a relevant topic that captures their attention. The following are possible examples of lines of inquiry; however, students may pursue any relevant topic of interest to them:

• Current issues in the regulation of MMA from State to State
• Licensing requirements to become a professional or amateur MMA fighter
• Medical testing required to compete at the amateur and professional level
• Ethical issues of mixed martial arts
• Social impact of Mixed Martial Arts
• The importance of Self Defense in today’s society and workplace
• Public safety on college campuses
• How to use Gracie Jiu Jitsu strategy to get and maintain a job after college
• Gracie Jiu Jitsu and problem solving strategy

Written paper:

1 points for the relevance of the topic,

6 points for expressed understand of the history of Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu,

6 points for expressed understanding of the fight plan,

6 points for identifying issues relevant to personal or social safety,

6 points for relating the components of the fight plan to solving identified problems

Presentation:

2 points for relevance of topic

3 points for enthusiasm for one’s selected topic

5 points for clarity and speaking skills

15 points presentation of topic

Student Evaluation: Weight

Participation 25%

Paper 25%

Paper presentation 25%

Final practical exam 25%

Course Outline:

The following outlines the approximate time of introduction of various techniques through the course of the semester. Once a technique is introduced, it will be practiced during subsequent training sessions along with previously introduced techniques. Thus, the outline should be considered cumulative. Throughout the course, the student will also be lectured on the historical and philosophical foundations of Gracie Jiu Jitsu as well as on the theory and application of Gracie Jiu Jitsu techniques and training methods.

WEEK # TECHNIQUES INTRODUCED

1. Introduction of Gracie Family Self Defense process created by Grandmaster Helio Gracie
2. Awareness and attitude in self defense; principles of breathing; problem solving skills
3. Techniques for “closing the distance”
4. Clinching strategy, grips, and pummeling
5. Strategy for protecting the head and neck in the pummel
6. Technique for falling down safely
7. Take down strategy
8. Establishing dominate positions on the ground
9. Protecting oneself in bad positions
10. Reversing bad positions and improving positions
11. Concluding the fight with submission holds
12. Review of fight plan and principles of sparring
13. Paper Presentations
14. Paper Presentations
15. Final Exam: Demonstration of Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Self Defense Fight Plan

Posted on April 22, 2010 - by Jim Hughes

Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu NORWICH CT moved to 439 SALEM TURNPIKE UP West Main ST just north of I-395

WE MOVED THE NORWICH SCHOOL DOWN THE STREET TO 439 Salem Turnpike, up West Main just accross the NORWICH BOZRAH LINE.
CLASS IS MWF 7:45 to 10:00

Posted on April 7, 2010 - by Jim Hughes

The First for-credit College Gracie Jiu Jitsu Class at the University of Connecticut

Jim Hughes teaching first ever University for-credit class in Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self Defense and MMA at the University of Connecticut, Storrs CT

Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self Defense, and the Evolution of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a new for-credit class now offered at the University of Connecticut (UCONN). This is the first and only University level class in Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Self Defense and MMA. Jim Hughes, a long time student of Royce Gracie comments “we are doing this class in honor of Royce’s father Helio Gracie. He dedicated his life to the development of his jiu jitsu so that the smaller, weaker person, would have a fighting chance in realistic self defense situations.”

Mr. Hughes continues: “Growing concerns regarding campus safety all around the country, suggest any classes that give students an opportunity to learn self defense skills would be welcomed by students. Considering that Gracie Jiu Jitsu is arguably the most proven form of self defense in the world (evidenced by its adoption by the US Army as the standard for their hand to hand combat training) the timing for adding this proposed class could not be better. The class filled to maximum capacity in just a few days after being approved and placed on the official University schedule.” UCONN Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club President Michael Sykucki says, “I have only been practicing Gracie Jiu Jitsu for several years and I cannot believe how much it has evolved. The fact that we now have a class is incredible. Students are learning a lot and I have learned a lot as well. After I graduate in May with a degree in Communications I will be able to use what I have learned about creative problem solving as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club President to help businesses use creative solutions to attract new customers.”

The University of Connecticut is a leader in higher education and provides innovative classes that meet the learning needs of its students. The more relevant that classes are perceived to be (from the student point of view) the more successful any University will be in its mission. Current social trends suggest that the most talked about martial art in the world today is Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. This is due partly to the wide spread media attention of television programs such as Ultimate Fighter and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a growing international sport and self-defense art popularized by the Gracie Family from Brazil. Royce Gracie, utilizing his Families Martial Art, propelled himself to international fame by winning the first UFC and a new genre of martial art was born –MMA. Media exposure of MMA makes it a hot topic on college campus. Jim Hughes one of a handful of Black Belts promoted by Royce Gracie is a Faculty Member at the University of Connecticut in Storrs as well as The University of Connecticut Medical School. Long time Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing Coaches, Paul Bratslavsky and Josh Randorf, have been appointed to the UCONN Faculty and assist with Instruction. “We are pleased to be offering this class at the University of Connecticut and are looking forward to a long association serving the needs of college students” says Hughes.

For student papers and additional Inofrmation go to: and

Posted on April 2, 2010 - by Jim Hughes

Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self Defense Seminar with Legendary Royce Gracie APR 17 and 18

Saturday April 17
11:00am to 1:00pm
West Hartford CT
276 Park Road, West Hartford CT 06119

11:00 am to 1:00pm $80: GRACIE JIU JITSU SELF DEFENSE FUNDAMENTALS FOR STAND UP FIGHTING. Most Self defense situations start from standing. There are certain cues to help you know what is going to happen before it happens This seminar will help you take your stand up kick boxing and self defense skill to the next level in your quest to be the best martial artist you can be!

IN ADDITION, STRATEGY FOR ADDING GRACIE JIU JITSU CLINCHING AND TAKEDOWN SKILLS TO YOUR KICKBOXING SKILL SETS. We will focus especially on how to close the distance and get in a clinch with a good kickboxer and why you would want to do that even if your stand up skills are at a pro level. You will learn how to protect your head and neck, how to avoid being knocked out, and how to take your opponent down to the ground safely, as well as the best positions and submission holds, so that you can win a fight or altercation as humanely as possible. If all you care about is stand up fighting, then you really need to know this information because it will help you understand how to not be taken down.

The seminar is first come first serve and space is limited. It is open exclusively to members of Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie New England and friends. If you have a friend that has always wanted to meet Royce Gracie, please ask them to come in and sign up in one of our great programs and participate in the seminar.

Sunday April 18
At Connecticut Martial Arts,
61 Newtown Road, Danbury CT 06810
Three Sessions:

SESSION 1: CHILDREN: 10:00 to 11:00am, $40

SESSION 2: ADULTS: 11:00 am to 1:00pm $80:
GRACIE JIU JITSU SELF DEFENSE FUNDAMENTALS.

SESSION 3: ADULTS: 2:00 to 4:00 $80 :
STRATEGY FOR ADDING GRACIE JIU JITSU CLINCHING AND
TAKEDOWN SKILLS TO YOUR KICKBOXING SKILL SETS.

Posted on January 26, 2010 - by Jim Hughes

Jim Hughes teaching Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Self Defense and MMA for College Credit at University of Connecticut

UCONN STUDENTS interested in the Worlds First and Only ACTUAL for-credit University class in Royce Gracie Jiu JItsu Self Defense and MMA, READ BELOW:

My Friend,

Sorry for the form letter, but, I am getting an amazing amount of email regarding our new University of Connecticut Class titled “Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Self Defense and the Evolution of MMA.” Unfortunately, it is impossible for me to respond individually:

No previous experience is needed. We spend half the time in presentation and discussing the history of Royce Gracie Jiu JItsu and the evolution of MMA and general self defense preparation and psychology. We invest the other half of class learning the basic Royce Gracie techinque in a slow, methodical , hands-on, non-competitive manner. No, you do not need to be athletic to do this class. No, you do not need a gi, uniform, or any special clothing or equipment. Show up wearing comfortable clothes. You will be taking your shoes off to step on the mat. If you have physical limitations I will show you how Royce’s father Helio Gracie learned when he first got started and could barely do anything physical. I am one of about 20 Black Belts worldwide promoted by the legendary Royce Gracie. Yes, I have very regular contact with Royce and train directly with Royce. I am primarily focused on teaching and helping people develop solid and realistic self defense skills but i have trained people who have fought amateur and professional MMA. No, this class will not help you become a professional fighter or get on the TV show “Ultimate Fighter.”

A short paper will be required on a relevant topic of your choosing and a presentation of the basic fight plan strategy. You have to register for the course with the school. It is a one credit course. If you want to learn and practice more intensively, I can direct you to the UCONN Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club that meets Friday nights 7 to 9 in Hawley Armory.

The one credit class is Wednesday at 11am in Hawley Armory. Yes, you must be a matriculated UCONN student. all UCONN students are welcome. Yes, I will be teaching this class in the fall semester and again next spring. Yes, I believe that peaceful resolution to problems is the always the best policy. But, if someone breaks into your house in the middle of the night and you have no option but to fight, I want you to know how to position yourself and move and keep yourself safe for as long as it takes for the bad guy to get tired and make a mistake. Then, its up to you, whether or not you let the choke go. Yes, I believe Ghandi would love Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu if he were here now.

Who would win in a battle between Frylock, Shake, or Meatwad? There is only one way to find out. However, my money is on whichever one trained the most in Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu JItsu and MMA.

Yes, the University of Connecticut and the Department of Allied Health, particularly, Dr, Silbart, Dr, Gregoire, and Graduate Student Steve Szczepanek RULE!!!. That is because their support made it possible that Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu and MMA has become a for-credit class. This is the first and only such class in the entire world.

Royce is appreciative that his Father’s life work of developing jiu jitsu (so the smaller and weaker person has a fighting chance) is being honored in this way.

If it is full and you want to do it, print out a drop ad form, come on in, ill sign it, and you will get in the class.

I hope that helps,

jim

Posted on December 8, 2009 - by Jim Hughes

Matt Somuk promoted to purple belt

Congratulations to Connecticut Gracie Jiu Jitsu coach Matt Somuk on his promotion to purple belt by Royce Gracie and Jim Hughes.

It was a great seminar in Pittsfield mass with longtime Royce Gracie students Mark and Connie Flynn. The Pittsfield/ Western Mass Gracie Jiu Jitsu crew is very enthusiastic and eager to learn” said Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Jim Hughes, Royce Gracie’s senior representative in New England. On hand was Brown belt Jim Harpe and his daughter and son. The Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu, self defense, and MMA organization is really a family oriented martial art said coach Harpe, head coach in Agawam.

Matt Somuk has been involved in martial arts for many years. He is a black belt in kenpo karate and has studied kickboxing and Krav Maga. “There is never a dull moment when Somuk is on the mat, he is super fun to train with except when he is on top and crushing the crap out of you” said someone who did not want to be identified out of fear that Matt would get on top of him and crush the living crap out of him.

Purple belt may in fact be the most important belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. It is an important acknowledgement of one’s ability and heart for representing the Gracie Family in it’s amazing martial art.

Congratulations Matt!

Posted on November 26, 2009 - by Jim Hughes

Happy Thanksgiving! Heres the latest on Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA Seminar Schedule

Thanksgiving: We have a lot to be thankful for. Turkey Day roll in West Hartford 10 AM. Thursday Night class is canceled throughout the Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie New England Netork,

Friday December 5: Royce Seminar in Pittsfield MA; 6:15-9:15

Saturday December 6: Royce Seminar in Norton MA 40 (min north of Boston) with our Karate School friend Chris Rappold; 1-4

April 17 and 18: Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu JItsu Self Defense and MMA Seminar in West Hartford CT

April 24 and 25: Royce Seminar in New York City. location and details to be announced.

Posted on November 1, 2009 - by Jim Hughes

Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & MMA Moves to 276 Park Road West Hartford CT

The open house for the newest Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu JItsu and MMA Academy was kicked off Saturday with an Open House. the official New England Headquarters was moved from 262 Park Road up the street to 276 Park Road. Adult members, new and old gathered with the SuperKids Jiu JItsu parents and children. We trained a little jiu jitsu and had pizza and some Zumba Dance demos by Katie and Janis. It was truly a great day of fun with a deep sense of community. The new school is dedicated to Grandmaster Helio Gracie the creator of Brazilian Jiu JItsu, the most innovative and proven martial art in the world.

Posted on October 29, 2009 - by Jim Hughes

West Hartford CT Royce Gracie School moves to 276 Park Road Saturday 10/31 join us for Open House

To all members of Jim Hughes and Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu New England, SuperKids Academy, and friends:

Gracie Jiu Jitsu, created by Royce’s father Helio, is all about loyalty to our family and friends, courage in the face of impossible odds, persistence in improving our position, and the love of life.

We love to learn and we love to put what we know to the test. That is the legacy Grand Master Helio has given us.

In the spirit of continous improvement, we have formulated a plan to move the West Hartford School up the street 5 doors to 276 Park Road. The soon to be “old school address is 262 Park Road.”

One of the important benefits of moving is that we will have a better buffer between the street and the front door. This is important because it improves our ability to keep the children in our SuperKids Academy Karate and Jiu Jitsu program safe. As a parent with children who train, my preference is to not have a driveway immediately outside the door. I’m not complaining here. I have really liked the space we are in. However, with the new space, we will be able section off a “safe” area where our children and families can transition to and from Karate and Jiu Jitsu class more easily.

The improvement in our position will require that we function with a smaller changing room and one bathroom instead of two. The mat area will be a little longer and a little narrower. Generally, the space will be a little more efficient all the way around. That will help us keep costs as low as possible, another important consideration.

The new Jiu JItsu school will look a little different. We are installing a rack and some equipment such as heavy bags and double end bags.

There will be a much improved observation area with more seating, a cozy little electric fireplace and a coffee machine. Please enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a snack by the fire with a friend or training partner. We installed a very good water filter. It filters water as good, if not better than the water people buy in the store from various so called “springs.” Those little plastic bottles we all throw away will be banned in the West Hartford Gracie Jiu Jitsu school. It occurs to me that self defense has to be more about others than ourselves. It has to include a concern for our environment. Throwing bottles in the land fill hurts future generations and wastes our resources. Please get a reusable water bottle and fill it up over and over. Its the least we can do. Also, drink water close to the source.

Drink water close to the source…on that note, you will see a picture in the new school from each of Royce’s fights and what that fight reveals or “points to.” You’ll see what i mean when you get here. There are also four pictures to the right immediately when you walk in. The first is titled AUTHENTIC. Its a picture of me training with Grandmaster Helio Gracie. Royce’s father has been very kind to me over the years. He always treated me like part of the family. I have an extreme sense of loyalty to him and Royce. When you are a member with Royce Gracie Jiu JItsu and MMA, you are as close to the source as you can get. Alot of people make a lot of fancy claims. Even some of my and Royce’s prior students. Those who are on our team are in the flow and spirit of the brilliant creation of Helio Gracie, the authentic origin of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the most proven form of self defense in the world. Those who are not on our team are not. They are just doing their own thing and riding on the coat tails of the rest of us who are true to the process. More on that later.

Please join us in the new school. Invest time to just sit and reflect on the pictures and qualities they represent. Enjoying the company of new and old friends is an important part of the training experience.

We are enhancing our schedule. We are adding dedicated Royce Gracie MMA Stand-up Kickboxing classes for self defense, competition, and fitness on Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30pm. Please wear gi pants or shorts and a Gracie Jiu Jitsu t-shirt. If you don’t have any Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu stuff, see Janis and she will hook you up.

Also, we realize that we have many members who have spouses and significant others who want to work out, but who do not necessarily want to do martial arts. To support our members more deeply, Janis, Paul, and Katie have become certified to teach Zumba. Zumba is a fun way to get fit. For our current members, we are giving a complimentary one month unlimted Zumba pass. You can give your pass to your spouse or significant other to use for Zumba, or you can use it yourself. Go to www.WestHartfordZumba.com for more details.

We will officially start in the new space on Saturday October 31

Let’s get together for a house warming and pizza party Saturday October 31. We will have a childrens self defense class at 9:00am; a trial Zumba Party class open to adults and kids at 10:00 and adult jiu jitsu open training at 11.

Then join us for pizza and open house from 12 to 2.

(Also, we are going to shift the Saturday night sparring class to a 5:30 start time beginning this Saturday in the new space).

The event and food is complimentary. Please RSVP with Jannie at 800 260 0981so we can plan the food.

We really appreciate your participation over the years and hope that the changes in space and the schedule of activities work well for you. Thank you in advance for your support.

If you received this and you are not a member, get off your hiney and get signed up! Learning the best self defense in the world is its own reward, and in this day and age, if you care and feel loyal and responsible to at least one other person aside from yourself, then it is your sacred duty to be training.

See you on the mat, or at tea.

Warm regards,

Jim Hughes
Jim@gracie-jiu-jitsu.com

Posted on September 10, 2009 - by Jim Hughes

Royce Gracie MMA Tournament, RAIN or SHINE, September 12, get details here!

Have fun and improve your jiu jitsu, MMA , and self defense skills in the best tourny ever —The World Series of MMA.

Join us Saturday September 12, 2009 RAIN OR SHINE for the action packed Sting Grappling & Gi Competition. This event is for Royce Gracie MMA Members & Friends: www.WorldSeriesOfMMA.tv for details.

SuperKids-Academy Parents and all members who are parents or aunts or uncles: Please note, Paul Bratslavsky will be teaching a special class the morning of the tournamnet, Saturday Sept 12, in the ring for your kids. Please come for class at 9:00 at our outdoor arena in East Windsor. West Hartord Morning Class will be cancelled for this special event.

Then, everyone, after the tournament, drop what you are doing and get yourself to Puerto Rico September 18 and 19 for the Royce Gracie MMA Beach Seminar at our favorite hotel, La Concha in San Juan: www.gracie-jiu-jitsu.com/locations/puerto-rico/ for details.

In the meanwhile, here’s something to think about:

I hope that peace and love prevail in our world. I want that for my children. I want it for my students. But, as Royce said to me once while we were driving in the middle of the night from one place to the next: “we can live in peace BECAUSE we are willing to fight.”

Our families need us to be ready and willing to fight. And if we die doing so, we need loyal friends standing behind us willing to step up and throw it down.

Its time to test your skills. You won’t know if you don’t. That little nagging question in the back of the mind…what if…??? How will I…??? Can I…??? What if I get creamed…??? What if…I can’t do it…If I lose…if I die…???

These are familiar questions.

I won my first jiu jitsu competition years ago at the Gracie Jiu Jitsu National Tournament that Royce ran out in California. I got the bug.

By just being tenacious, I caught each of my opponents and won my division. The next day, in the absolute division, I was knocked out of the brackets in the first round when I was caught in a choke by Dave Gomez from Michigan. I learned more in the match I lost than in all the ones I won combined.

But overall, I especially learned about those persistent little thoughts that run at the back of one’s mind and how it is really just a bunch of chatter.

None of my opponents were as big as I pictured them. Nobody swung me around by my feat and spun me on their finger and crushed me like a bug under foot. Most were just like me. A little nervous. A little distracted. Wanting to prove themselves. Tuff in ways they did not understand and not so tuff in the ways they thought they were.

That’s competition. You come face to face with yourself. Its not about winning (although I recognize we all like the idea of winning). Its about stepping on the mat in a unpredictable situation and seeing how you react. You see yourself from the inside out. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Competition is the only mirror of it’s type.

A little sore, a little tired, a little under the weather? Enter anyway. The conditions for a battle are never perfect, and, in self defense you’re always at some disadvantage. Just the practice of competing even when you don’t feel too great will make you better. Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu and MMA is all around good medicine. i have a good story about entering a tournament shortly after getting lyme disease. Ill tell you sometime.

Our tournament is dedicated to Grandmaster Helio Gracie. He loved competition. But he also really disliked what had become of his art in Brazil where the emphasis shifted towards point strategies and stalling to win.

This tournament, and our network of schools, are for those who stand with me in true loyalty to Royce and his father, the direct source and the spring from which MMA sprang.

The last tournament that I personally competed in is one i will never forget. I took third place as a purple belt in the Gracie Jiu Jitsu National Tournament. It was the last one Royce ran. There were a lot of very good guys in the purple belt division. It was not like the tournaments you see nowadays where they have all kinds of divisions based on age and weight and the length of your hair. I understand why tournaments are organized like that. With many divisions, virtually everyone ends up walking around with some kind of medal one way or another. Everyone feels they are the champion. If you want 1000 people to show up to a tournament make sure to have 1000 divisions so each and every person can say they are the champion. everyone can focus on their weight and how much they had to lose to get into their “ideal” fighting shape. Then there are all manner of excellent excuses for why things did not go so well “ya, I was tired from being so deyhdrated from trying to make weight
” or, “that guy obviously walks around at 210 and somehow dropped to 159 and a half… if only…then…LET ME SAY THIS ABOUT THAT: IF YOU ARE TRAINING, YOU ARE ALREADY A CHAMPION. BY YOUR ACTIONS YOU HAVE MADE YOURSELF PART OF A UNIQUE GROUP OF PEOPLE AND YOU ARE THE CREAM OF THE CROP — WHETHER YOU COMPETE OR NOT! Whether you win today or lose. It does not matter. The only thing that matters is that you keep showing up and dont give up. Dont compete for medals or awards. Do it because its really fun and to improve your skills. It does not matter who your opponent is, how much he weighs or how much you weigh or even the length of your hair or how long you have trained. What really matters is something different. You have to find what that is.

Anyways, back to my story. Royce’s father, Grandmaster Helio, was there at the head table observing all the action. He came to me after I lost one of my matches and said “your jiu jitsu very good.” in his distinctive Brazilian Porteguese accent. I didn’t expect to hear that especially when I lost a match. After reflecting on it, it occurred to me that it is not about winning, but more about what we bring to the situation. The attitude we demonstrate, the attitude of perserverence and patience and the willingness to keep in there. The attitude of complete joy in what we are doing, especially, when under pressure and when things are not going well. There is more to the story about what happened that day, but, i will have to tell it another time.

With the help of Perry Siegel, our tournament director, we created our tournament, called the World Series of MMA and Sting Grappling, in honor of Helio Gracie. I know he will be there in spirit with us Saturday September 12.

Come and join in the only competition experience of its kind Saturday September 12 at Sofias Plaza behind Royce Gracie MMA, 122 Prospect Hill, East Windsor CT. Exit 45 off 91. Turn right. Go up the hill. Turn right just after the light and weave your way to the back parking lot. You’ll see our outdoor arena in the way back. We have a nice grassy hill overlooking the ring set up. So you might bring a towel or picnic blanket. Ask anyone who has competed. There are no other tournaments like the one we have put together for Royce Gracie MMA members and friends. Its fun. It moves at a good pace. You get a lot of matches. There is no BS. Its friendly because we are among friends.

We are running two divisions:
1. Gi (plain white, or Atama, or, Royce Gracie MMA Brand only)
2. Sting Grappling (No Gi ), wear plain board shorts and royce gracie t shirt. Any t shirt from one of our prior college MMA Challenge or World Series of MMA events. Plus, we will give you a competition t shirt when you show up.

It is organized very simply: As an absolute pool. You will be assigned a 5 person division randomly. The are no weight classes or belt divisions. You have a match with every person in your division. You earn points each time you do something productive, if there is not a submission, then the match is decided by referee decision based on points. The way the match is won determines how Grand Points are awarded. The Grand Points accumulate throughout the day and determine who advances to the finals. The finals are held in the big raised competition ring and two Grand Champions (Gi and Sting Grappling) will rise to the top.

(Note: 87 % of matches have been decided by submission in the 10 events we have run. The fighters show up to fight. We don’t have stallers and point specialist because you are actually at a disadvantage if you organize your fight plan that way. This is why I know that Helio Gracie is smiling down upon our efforts). Also, thank you in advance for not whinning or complaining. I have never once heard Royce complain about anything except my driving. So in the spirit of good all around positive Royce Gracie Attitude, and the fact that this is a family oriented event, we expect only good sportsmanship at all times.

In addition, to GRAND CHAMPION medals for the absolute Gi and Sting Grappling finalists, medals will be awarded for the top preliminary tournament point holders according to the following categories:

1. White Belt Gi
2. Blue Belt Gi
3. Purple Belt Gi
4. Women Gi
5. White Belt STING GRAPPLING
6. Blue Belt STING GRAPPLING
7. Purple Belt STING GRAPPLING
8. Women STING GRAPPLING
9. Person with longest hair (sorry, that division had to be cancelled, CaveMan Mike Sanders is back from Florida and he got his hair cut)

Any questions, talk with our Tournament Director Perry Siegel the day of the event.

Go to www.WordSeriesofMMA.tv for further details and for the link to purchase tickets. Early Registration is $40 to compete and $10 general admission