Settling In... Beantown Style

Finally got all of my moving done, and started up with my new Academy here in Boston. I'm now training at the Kimura BJJ School in Watertown. The school is run by Jean Kleber, who received his black belt in 2001 under Carlson Gracie lineage.

So far the training has been great, and the level of jiu jitsu knowledge is very high. I'm definitely going to learn a lot.

Cheers.

Hangin' Out in CT

While on the road to Boston, I stopped to spend a few days at my girlfriend's place in South/Central Connecticut. I had her ask around to try and find a place near her where I could get some mat time in.

Luckily, she knew of a few people that trained at Ultimate MMA (www.ultimatemmact.com) in North Haven, CT. I headed down to catch their 6:30 Blue and Purple belt Gi BJJ class on Thursday and the Open Mat on Friday.

The class was taught by Ryan Gracie blackbelt Renato Migliaccio. Unfortunately, I arrived a little late (it was pouring out, and a got a little lost), so I wasn't able to catch warm ups. The crew was preparing for an upcoming competition next week, so instruction was passed up in favor of rolling, rolling, and more rolling. I went all four or five rounds, and don't regret a minute of it. Ultimate has some tough guys (including a Mundials purple-belt winner), and I'm sure they will do well at the upcoming competition. On top of that, everyone there was extremely nice, friendly and hospitable. I am sure that I will be returning whenever I am in the area.

Thanks guys!




(Pretend my belt is tied...)

Leaving the 'Nati

Unfortunately, getting my blue belt also marks my departure from the Cincinnati. I will be moving to Boston, Massachusetts in a few days for school, and for a change of scenery.

I am really going to miss all of my training partners and owe a huge debt to everyone at the Cincinnati Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, especially my instructors Jim Kelly and Justin Christopher. They have provided me with an amazing understanding of the fundamentals of jiu jitsu in such a small period of time. It's just a shame that I was only able to spend such a short of amount of time at the academy. Hopefully I will be able to come back and train often, because I adamantly believe that their jiu jitsu (and more importantly, ability to communicate their jiu jitsu) is unparalleled.

Thanks for everything guys!

Blue Belt

After taking the intense 240+ item test over Gracie Self-Defense techniques, various BJJ postures, positioning, and techniques last night, my training buddy Zach and I were given our blue belts from our instructor Jim Kelly. I feel truly honored to receive a blue belt from Jim, as his belts are a true representation of the skill and knowledge accumulated, and certainly something to be proud of.

Rickon Gracie Seminar

I recently had the privilege of attending the super-exclusive Rickson Gracie seminar the Tennessee. It was a two-day seminar with four sessions (two per day, with an hour lunch break in between both days).

On the morning of the first day, I was lucky enough to have breakfast with the likes of Pofessor Pedro Sauer, and Rodrigo Vaghi. Definitely a cool experience to have such a casual meal with such great jiu jitsu talent.

Rickson opened the seminar with a short speech about the recent death of his father, and how he believes that Helio would have wanted his jiu jitsu legacy carried on. Then we began two days of concept-based discussion and demonstration of what Rickson believes to be the "invisible" jiu jitsu secrets that have propelled his game to its extreme level.

You can believe what you want about Rickson's alleged 400-0 record, and all of the mythology that surrounds him, but either way, his jiu jitsu speaks for itself.

I mean really, it's frickin Rickson!

In and Around SoCal

This past week I was in Southern California, and I figured that I should spend my vacation doing what any sane person would do: train jiu jitsu (right?).

First up was Rickson's Academy on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles.



Class was taught by Shawn Rice. Solid instruction. Would expect nothing less from Rickson's school, obviously.

Next up was Newbreed in Santa Fe Springs. Met up with my buddy Tameem there.

(we're both really photogenic.)

After a bit of class and some scenario spars, we rolled for a while. Got to learn a bit about Tameems secret-weapon overhooking guard. Cool stuff. Watch out for him and his x-guard sweeps at a Southern California purple-belt tournament near you.

And finally, a shot from my hotel room in San Diego, just because I like it.




“Experience, travel - these are as education in themselves.”
-Euripide

Relson Gracie in Cbus

I went up to Columbus, Ohio last night with my instructor Jim Kelly to catch the Relson Gracie seminar at his affiliate school there run by Robin Gieseler. Had an awesome time. We did some triangles, butterfly guard passes, and defense/chokes from the back.

Here are a couple photos:
Master Relson:



Yours truly with the man himself:



and with my instructor, Jim.


A few more photos can be found here. Congrats go out to David Wilson for receiving his black belt! Very cool to see that, as well. Well deserved.

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.”
-Charles de Montesquieu