The Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Central City Results

2011-01-29T14:56:00.001-08:00

Brad: 2nd

Derek: 2nd

Nathaniel: 1st

Tracy: 1st

Brad & Tracy: 1st Absolute

Great job guys!!!!

Check out Twitter and Facebook for links to pictures and videos!

Central City Tournament

2011-01-29T10:03:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Nathaniel, Derek and Tracy for winning their fights!!!!

Toy Drive a Success!

2010-12-21T16:02:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone for donating to this great cause!!

http://m.courierpress.com/news/2010/dec/21/brightening-hospital-holidays/

Roger Gracie Strikeforce Postponed

2010-10-28T11:09:00.001-07:00

Roger's next fight for Strikeforce has been postponed until January 29th.

http://www.graciemag.com/en/2010/10/strikeforce-postpones-roger-vs-mike-kyle-till-january/

Razzano Academy EGO updates

2010-09-28T14:17:00.001-07:00

Greenwood EGO tournament results for the Razzano Academy

Dax and Jeff took a group of students to this years EGO tournament in Greenwood.
Alex came home with 3rd in the Blue Belt division. He also got 1st in the No Gi Intermediate.
Butter got 1st in advanced No Gi, and 2nd in blue belt gi
Zac got 2nd in the no gi divisoin and 2nd in gi white.
Honorable mention goes to Steve and Petey, who had some great matches, definitely win-able as I think both would attest. Dax gave best match (one of top five in tournament) to Petey's match, where he threw a ton of submission attempts.

Roger Gracie

2010-09-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Roger Gracie taught an awesome seminar this Saturday at The Academy! Here are just a few pictures - more to come soon!!

Roger Gracie

2010-09-17T08:11:00.001-07:00

Roger Gracie will be at The Aademy tomorrow, September 18th, to teach a seminar. The seminar is full and open only to those who have registered. For more details please see the events section www.thejiujitsuacademy.com

We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Roger Gracie

2010-08-31T15:07:00.001-07:00

Last week to sign up for Roger Gracie's seminar. Deposits are due Sept 6th to hold your place.

Congrats!!!!!

2010-08-22T19:12:00.001-07:00

Great job team!!!!!

last update of the evening!!

2010-08-22T18:25:00.001-07:00

Everybody did a great job in the open divisions!! Tracy got silver, Dave, Chris and Mike got bronze and Eric fought an awesome match!!

Great job everybody!!!!!!

update

2010-08-22T16:14:00.001-07:00

Josh fought 2 hard matches to place 3rd!!
Amanda got 1st open div.

Mens open divisions up next.

update

2010-08-22T13:42:00.001-07:00

Congrats to Dave S who just placed 3rd. Way to go!!!!

Lunch break and then Josh G is up!!

update

2010-08-22T12:58:00.001-07:00

Chris F fought hard and took 3rd while Amanda got 1st.

Dave S is on deck now.

Updates

2010-08-22T10:57:00.001-07:00

Mike just fought a hard match - ended up going to points.

Great job everybody!! Chris F and Tracy are up next at 1:30.

Noon results

2010-08-22T09:47:00.001-07:00

Eric W gets gold and Chris H takes home 3rd in their divisions. Mike is warming up!!

Waiting.......

2010-08-22T07:55:00.001-07:00

The team is all here and waiting for the first match at 10:40. No bad seats in the gym!!

Chicago Open

2010-08-21T21:55:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is the Chicago Open and the team is all here. Brackets can be found http://www.ibjjf.org and updates will be posted during the day!! Follow us on twitter for updates and news!!!!

100 things to do....

2010-08-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

From Gracie Mag #122: 100 things you should do before reaching black belt.

1- Like Jiu-Jitsu.

2- Love Jiu-Jitsu.

3- Respect Jiu-Jitsu.

4- Learn to balance force and technique so as to fight as long as you can without tiring.

5- Understand that the belt is not the only objective, but the result of effort and learning. One whose only objective is to get a new belt limits his own potential, which is always enormous and unknown. Rather than focus on that, concern yourself with developing technical aspects of the fight.

6- Know the entire program of basic classes inside out and back to front.

7- Study self-defense techniques in depth. Or do you plan to be the kind of black belt that despairs at just having to get out of a basic choke?

8- Have a grueling training session with your own master.

9- Make a lot of close friends at the gym.

10- Enter a tournament – and return home with a gold medal.

11- Dispute the absolute division.

12- Realize that deep, deep down points and the clock do not exist, while nothing is more real than those three little taps.

13- Participate in a seminar conducted by your greatest idol.

14- Learn to speak English. The way the Jiu-Jitsu market is going, you’ll have to get around in other continents.

15- Learn to perform a flying armbar.

16- Compete at a World Championship.

17- Invent a hold or move.

18- Give the move a really creative name like “the flying butterfly,” “get-that-sucka” or “fireball,” for example.

19- Try out a variety of different diets until you find two or three that really work to stimulate your body, before, during and after competitions.

20- Do at least a year of judo – if intense throw training isn’t common in your gym.

21- Learn to lose.

22- Learn to win.

23- Find the brand of gi with the cut that best suits your body.

24- Brush up on your surfing, as you have yet to participate in a Black Belt Surf Championship.

25- If surfing isn’t your thing, work on another outdoor activity to invigorate you on those days you’re not in the gym.

26- Learn to teach. This includes knowing how to conduct an entire class, plan the warm-up for that day’s specific, pair up the students properly and cool the students off before heading home, among other things. “At brown, the promising athlete may teach a class under a black belt’s supervision, as though it were an internship, a test,” suggests instructor Raphael Abi-Rihan.

27- Read the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu rule book.

28- As the black belt promotion approaches, participate in MMA simulation training, commonly known as “slap” sessions. A training session involving real-life fighting situations is extremely important to sharpen up your self-defense, by learning to time takedowns and brushing up on other aspects.

29- Shave your head, even if just once.

30- Try to take private classes – vital for refining your technique and learning tricks from your teacher.

31- Offer yourself as your master’s sparring partner, especially in private classes, as you, too, will learn a lot.

32- Put together your basic bibliography on the martial arts. The more books the better.

33- Fight with all your might to keep whatever that nickname they gave you from sticking.

34- If the nickname sticks, live with it.

35- Come up with a good nickname for a training partner.

36- Encourage a child to start learning Jiu-Jitsu. After all, they are the future of the sport.

37- Gain self-control.

38- Use your technical abilities and stamina to get out of a bind. Adventures are a part of every black belt’s story.

39- Don’t let your Jiu-Jitsu go to your head – keep yourself well grounded.

40- Learn to react. There’s no precise guide for reacting properly in every situation, but Professor Carlos Gracie Jr has a classic lesson for you. When someone’s bothering you, in the cinema, on the plane or anywhere, think before you react: what if this person is a Brock Lesnar, what will you do then? For hours you’ve felt the need to intervene, or just say something to the bugger. But do so politely – without going on the offensive. It doesn’t matter if the person is a little old woman, a bunch of teenagers or a UFC heavyweight champion.

41- Don’t forget to practice the basics, nor how to defend against basic moves.

42- Get yourself a physiotherapist buddy who after all the appointments gives you that discount when some new little injury crops up…

43- Have a favorite açaí recipe.

44- Find out when the best time of the day for you to train is, figuring out whether your body responds better to training hard at night, in the afternoon or early in the morning.

45- Send an email of praise GRACIEMAG.

46- Send an email lambasting GRACIEMAG– or at least suggesting an article you want written.

47- Study your sport’s basic history, and know who Jiu-Jitsu’s pioneers were and what they did.

48- Every white belt has seen them a hundred times, so don’t you be the one not to re-watch them: watch, every now and then, the primordial and glorious fights featuring Jiu-Jitsu in the ring – know of the achievements of Royce, Rickson, Renzo, Ralph and Minotauro, for example, and understand just how far Jiu-Jitsu has come.

49- After so many years of injury, find out one hold you will not tap out to by any means – a foot lock, a guillotine…

50- Be flexible; discover your favorite stretching routine.

51- Get your bottom game on par with your top game – or at least close to it.

52- Face off with athletes from other styles, like wrestlers in submission grappling tournaments, judoka friends and so on.

53- Have a lot of talks with higher ranked athletes and old masters.

54- Forget steroids.

55- Document the best shape you’ve ever been in in photos. Besides serving as a record, this will motivate you to not keep in shape, even as the years – and belts – go by. You will also have a beautiful photo to one day show your kids and grandkids…

56- Go on an unforgettable trip to compete or train Jiu-Jitsu with the team.

57- Represent well and divulge our Jiu-Jitsu’s flag abroad.

58- Test your knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu theory in written exams, like the ones held at Escola Leão Teixeira in Rio or at University of Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego, among other schools.

59 – Get used to discomfort. After all, as Wallid Ismail would say, “It’s stormy seas the whole time.”

60- Get turned down by women because of your ears.

61- Pick up women because of your ears.

62- Go through at least 17 gis before turning black belt. If you don’t, you haven’t gone through enough cloth…

63- Donate your old gis to the needy and social-benefit projects.

64- Understand how your body works, after all each body type adapts to Jiu-Jitsu differently. Your game should be in tune with the type of body you boast.

65- Respect the white belts. And the blues, purples…

66- Develop your mental flexibility. At any tournament anywhere in the world, it is not unusual for you to end up competing later, earlier, have arena changes before the battle… “In these cases, relax and accept it. Not being uptight allows you to get the most out of any experience and to evolve,” advises coach and trainer Martin Rooney.

67- Absorb whatever new technique you are taught, even if it doesn’t become your specialty. It very well could be your opponent’s.

68- At least once in life, decide to compete in some tournament at the last minute. Remember, there is no such thing as the “perfect” moment to compete, just get out there and do it – and who knows? It might just turn out to be the perfect moment.

69- Tap, tap, tap and tap, over and over again. And, who knows? Maybe even pass out from some choke. That’s part of the game, and it’s all a learning experience until you’ve been decorated with the highest honors.
70- Do a no-time limit fight (at least in training), to the finish.

71- If you have friends in other academies, visit new environments. “I would like to have trained more with other athletes to have tested my Jiu-Jitsu without the pressure of doing tournaments. I feel I missed something for not having trained with Amaury, Libório, Roleta, Cachorrão and Pé de Pano,” reveals six-time world champion Saulo Ribeiro.

72- Be somebody’s hero – even if it’s just your little brother.

73- Explain Jiu-Jitsu philosophy more than once to a number of friends, and don’t lose your patience when you hear, “But fighters are all kind of stupid, aren’t they?”

74- Get invited to help bounce at a friend’s party, even if you politely decline, despite proud feeling inside.

75- Have a favorite Gracie.

76- Lend a hand at a social-benefit project a black belt friend of yours is involved in in any way you can.

77- Make Jiu-Jitsu a lifestyle and make the most of it. In so doing, you should understand that the art is not just a sport.

78- Discover what persistence is first hand – after all, it’s almost a given you’ll have to spend some time on ice due to injury. Even so, don’t get discouraged.

79- Know that GRACIEMAG is the best Jiu-Jitsu magazine in the world, and always make sure your friend at the newsstand sets one aside for you.

80- Decipher what curious expressions in Portuguese like “nó-de-porco,” “creonte,” calçar a bota,” and “amassa pão” mean.

81- Every once in awhile, add a “bro” to the end of a sentence, and know that it never goes out of style.

82- Find out what motivates you before a training session and what makes you feel better after a bad day at the gym – be it music, reading or positive thinking.

83- Develop your own style as a fighter.

84- Develop your own style as a teacher.

85- Understand that a practitioner gains nothing from a scuffle or street fight, and that so doing represents a step back in Jiu-Jitsu’s struggle for recognition. As Saulo affirms, “I have never given a black belt to an unscrupulous person, or better yet, that person would never train with me because I wouldn’t have it in me to teach him.”

86- Find a way of deriving pleasure from the big and little things in Jiu-Jitsu, from warming up to even the bad days in the gym and the losses.

87- Learn CPR.

88- Learn to deal with the fear, insecurity and anxiety we all have in us, some more, some less than others. That is why competition is one of the best environments for us to get to know ourselves not just as athletes.

89- Understand your responsibility as an advanced athlete. “If the guy intends to be a teacher the responsibility is even greater, as you are the role model others will mirror. Jiu-Jitsu does not only serve the function of creating good fighters, but of making men who are capable, dignified and honorable to carry forth Jiu-Jitsu’s flag. That is the greatest responsibility a black belt can have,” teaches Robert Drysdale.

90- Reflect on your mistakes.

91- After growing from the mistakes, cast them from your thoughts.

92- See the black belt as the beginning, not the end of the road. “I improved my game a great deal after reaching black belt,” recalls Marcelinho Garcia.

93- At least from brown belt onwards, do no-gi competition as well.

94- Innovate when exercising.

95- Realize as quickly as you can that the gym is not a place to compete, but a place to practice positions. “Only by hitting and working on your weaknesses will you become a well-rounded fighter. This business of ‘winning a roll’ is silly and limits a student in learning,” Saulo Ribeiro reminds us.

96- Experiment with breathing techniques, Ginástica Natural and yoga to improve your performance as an athlete. Although shunned in the old days, these days these resources have been largely accepted by the greatest of – even in the UFC.

97- Prepare your speech for the ceremony when you receive your black belt.

98- Write up your own list of 50, 100 or 200 goals you WILL meet achieve reaching black belt.

99- Apply the principal law of Jiu-Jitsu (“Minimum effort for maximum efficiency”) to your own life. Face challenges in the simplest way possible, as this will certainly be the most efficient.

100- Get off the computer and go train!

Chicago International Open

2010-08-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

The Chicago International Open registration ends Saturday, August 14th. The competition team is preparing for a great tournament so close to home!

Details on carpool and accomadations will be posted on the forum.

Click HERE for more details.

Sunday Results

2010-07-25T19:05:00.001-07:00

Today was Dani and Amanda's weight classes. Dani won first in hers and Amanda came in third.

Great job everybody!!

Saturday Results

2010-07-24T16:29:00.001-07:00

Bruce started off the fights today. He fought hard but ended up losing by points.

Standing to Bruce's side is his competitor. (yes, Bruce only came up to his shoulder!)
Daniella fought next in the absolute division.

I fought next in the absolute brackets - I had no idea how big these girls could be!!

....and here was my closed guard....

Chris had the last match of the evening in absolute. He went the full round but lost to points.

Great job everybody!! Last but not least here is Scott enjoying some coffee.

Tomorrow competition starts at 9 am!!

Friday Competition Results

2010-07-23T11:56:00.001-07:00

Today Scott and Chris both competed in their weight categories. Scott came in 2nd and Chris finished with 3rd. Affiliate Dax's student Eric came in 2nd. Congratulations!!!!!
Everyone did an excellent job.

Last training day - fights start tomorrow!!

2010-07-22T21:29:00.001-07:00

Today was our last day to train before the competition starts. Chris and Scott both fight Friday so they warmed up and went over moves. Bruce, Daniella and myself (Amanda) fight Saturday so we rolled several 10 minute rounds to prepare. It was a good class followed by an even better meal at La Mole!!

Corcavado

2010-07-22T13:09:00.001-07:00

Today we went to see Corcavado (Christ the Redeemer). It was awesome and packed!!!! It was crazy busy but the best part was that there more monkeys!!!!!!

At the base of the statue there was a tiny chapel. Pretty cool!!

pool

2010-07-22T08:37:00.001-07:00

The pool here is freezing!! It is a sunny 80 degrees outside and the pool is ice. The team is using it as a therapy adjunct :)

Sugar Loaf & Monkeys

2010-07-22T05:57:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we went up to see Sugar Loaf and found some monkeys!!!!!! They were little and definitely not afraid of tourists!

That evening we went to train and everyone got in tons of rounds. Mario and some others showed up to give Bruce some training.

We made it!

2010-07-20T21:01:00.000-07:00

The team touched down in Rio this morning after a loooooong flight. After checking in we headed to train at Marcelos Academy.

2010-07-17T14:07:00.001-07:00

News 25 and 103 GBF was at the Academy last Saturday to interview the team heading to Brazil to compete. Video available soon.

2010-06-21T17:59:00.001-07:00

Bellator Fighting Championships will be held this Thursday in Louisville, KY. Our own Dave O. will be competing in the MMA fights. See the forum for more details.

2010-06-21T17:56:00.001-07:00

Chicago International Open will be held August 22. More details to follow.

2010-06-07T18:47:00.001-07:00

Training classes are heating up as the team prepares for the Rio Open / International Masters & Seniors. The team will represent the Academy for the second year in a row!!

2010-06-07T17:58:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Roger Gracie for winning both his division and open at the 2010 World Championships!!!!

2010-05-17T18:22:00.001-07:00

Roger Gracie wins MMA match Saturday!!!! Congratulations!!!

Roger wil be at The Academy September 18th.

Check the events page for registration information.

Congrats Razzano Academy!

2010-04-09T22:18:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Dax's students at The Razzano Academy for their accomplishments at the EGO tournament. Dax and his students train hard and have the results to show for it!

Way to go guys!!

Marcelo Ferreira Seminar

2010-02-27T22:46:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to everyone who received promotions at the seminar this past weekend! A big thanks to everybody who came out to train and learn!

Big congratulations to Brett for receiving his black belt!
Way to go!!!!

More pictures and videos to follow soon on the website.

Royler Gracie

2009-11-08T16:37:00.000-08:00

Professor Royler Gracie was at the Academy Saturday to teach a seminar.
The seminar included self-defense, ground work and a Q&A session.
Here are some pictures from Saturday - more to come soon!

Bruce & Royler

Royler Teaching

Group Picture

If you get a chance, check out Royler's blog: http://www.roylergracie.com/blog/

Awesome Seminar!

2009-10-05T10:31:00.001-07:00

A big THANK YOU to Demian Maia for teaching an awesome seminar at the Academy Sunday. It was great to see high-level black belts in action!!

More pictures up soon! For now, check these out!!!

ADCC Regional Results

2009-09-12T22:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday Tracy and Amanda competed in the ADCC Regionals in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Tracy won 2 matches by submission to take 2nd place. The competition was good with Tracy braving an epic 16 minute finals match.

Amanda won both of her matches by submission and earned an invite to Nationals.

Congratulations Tracy and Amanda!!!!

Fight videos can be found here!!

JJM Seminar!!!!

2009-08-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today Jean Jacques Machado taught a great seminar at the Academy! It is humbling and inspiring to be able to meet one of BJJ's best teachers/practitioners. For all JJM has achieved in his 36 years (you had to be there), he remains one of the nicest and down to earth people you will ever meet.

Here are a few quick photos, look for the rest to be up soon on the website.

A big THANK YOU to Jean Jacques Machado for coming in and teaching a wonderful seminar. We are already looking forward to next year!

Thanks to everyone that was able to make it in, it's always good to see jiu-jitsu friends.

Helio vs Kimura

2009-08-20T21:15:00.001-07:00

Everyone in class has done a kimura at some point or another. Here's a short video of Helio Gracie fighting Masahiko Kimura.

Click here to learn more about Japan's greatest Judo practitioner of all time.

JJM Saturday!!

2009-08-17T10:36:00.001-07:00

Jean Jacques Machado will be here this Saturday! Everyone at the Academy is psyched!

Here's a quick video/interview with JJM.

See everyone Saturday from 11-2!!!!!

Sunday Competition Update

2009-07-28T20:58:00.001-07:00

Sunday was the last of the fights. Amanda took 2nd in her division!!

Thanks to everyone for all the support while we were away and a big thanks to the guys who taught classes last week!!

Thanks to Curt W. for wearing an academy shirt to the fights!

Fight video's are playing in the Academy!!

Tchau!

Saturday Competition Update

2009-07-25T17:19:00.001-07:00

Today the competition started at 1300. Video will soon be up!

Bruce, Carlos Mariano and Amanda lost by 2 points each due to throws. Tomorrow Amanda competes in the faixa marrom/preta division.

After dinner we're back to the hotel to rest up for tomorrow. The crowd was crazy today and promises to be even wilder Sunday. I'm going to try to upload a video to the forum! Check it out!!

Tchau!

Friday Competition Update

2009-07-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

Today was the 2nd day of competition and the team did great!!

Daniela Lirio got 2nd in faixa roxa adulto absoluto!

Andre Felipe won faixa azul master and placed 2nd in absoluto!!

Tomorrow Bruce, Carlos Mariano and myself fight at 1300. I got my camera back today!! so I'll post some more pics tomorrow.

Tchau!!

Thursday Competition Update

2009-07-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

Today Daniela Lirio fought faxia roxa adult class and won! It was a good match and her competition was tough. Even on the medal stand the opponents were taller than Daneila while she was on the first place spot!

We got to see blue and purple belts compete today. Tomorrow brown belts begin and the purple have their absolute fights.

I would have pictures to accompany this blog but I left the camera in the cab!

Tchau!

Training

2009-07-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

Today was the last official day of training before the fights. Some fresh black belts came in to train with Bruce. A small female black belt came in to train with me and give me some tips!! It was great but I'm sorrrreeee!!!!

Here's a list of fighters representing Marcelo Ferreira Academy:

Andre Felipe G. de Queiroz - Faxia Azul Master

Carlos Eduardo Aragao - Faxia Azul Master

Daniela Lirio O. de Souza - Faxia Roxa Adulto

Bruce Shepherd - Faxia Preta Master

Carlos Mariano Rosa - Faxia Marrom Master

Amanda Wilson - Faxia Marrom Adulto

Tomorrow we're heading to Tijuca Tenis Clube to watch some of the team compete. Bruce and I have two days to heal up and relax before fighting and we're going to make the most of it!!

Tchau!

Brazil!!

2009-07-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

Brazil!!

The plane landed early Monday and we headed to the hotel. On the way to the hotel we encountered BRAZILIAN TRAFFIC! It was chaos!!

Driving along.....

....and all of a sudden there were bike's! They were cutting in and out of traffic, super close to us!

On the way over we passed some favela's.

Here's some more buildings....

Training is going well - there are lots of different people to train with, not to mention lots of brown and black belts.

Tomorrow the brackets come out - I'll post the dates/times of the fights then too.
Until then, enjoy a view from our hotel!

JJM - Part 2

2009-07-03T05:19:00.000-07:00

Jean Jacques Machado will be here before we know it! August 22 is just around the corner as we go into the holiday weekend. Part 2 of our series on JJM looks at some of his brazilian jiu-jitsu training.

Here's a short clip of some warm-ups you may recognize!

Fit-TV did a segment on JJM and it is excellent. The video is a little small but it's awesome!
Follow the link here to view.

Just for fun, here he is in an Adidas commercial with his brother John.

For even more fun - here is is with his brothers on Texas Walker Ranger!

Registration is now open for Jean Jacques Machado's seminar at the Academy - August 22. See the EVENTS page for more information.

Happy 4th of July to everyone! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!!

Black Belt Series: Jean Jacques Machado Part 1

2009-06-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of Jean Jacques upcoming seminar at the Academy, we take a moment to look at his life and career in the sport of BJJ. The following excerpt comes from his website.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jean Jacques Machado is one of five brothers of the world renowned Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu family.
Jean Jacques began his Jiu-Jitsu training over twenty years ago. He dominated the competitive arena of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his native country, capturing every major title and competition award from 1982 through 1992.

In 1992 Jean Jacques arrived in the United States to continue his competitive success. Dominating the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene both in the US and in international competition, Jean Jacques is one of the most admired and respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the world today.

Jean Jacques's talents have been showcased in several major motion pictures and television appearances. Jean Jacques is currently involved in the the production of a series of instructional books as well as numerous teaching and training aids for the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Recognized and respected equally for his outstanding fighting and competitive accomplishments, as well as his technical, teaching and coaching expertise, Jean Jacques is in demand throughout the world as one of the foremost authorities in the field of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

BACKGROUND

•6th Degree Black Belt - RCJ Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
•Director/Head Instructor - RCJ Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tarzana Academy
•Founder - World Grappling Games Federation
•UFAF (United Fighting Arts Federation)
•LAPD Consultant - Defensive Tactics
•Sheriff's Department - Defensive Tactics Supervisor
•American Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
•Law School - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

PROFESSIONAL TITLES

•Rio De Janeiro Jiu-Jitsu State Championships
Cruiser Weight Champion
1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987,1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
•Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Championships
Cruiser Weight Champion
1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987,1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
•Sambo Wrestling Championships
National and Pan American Cruiser Weight Champion
1993 Oklahoma - 1st Place
1994 San Diego, CA - 1st Place
•Grappling Style Challenge Japan
1995 - Champion
•Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu American Championships
1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
•Black Belt Super Challenge Championships
1998 - Champion
•Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships
1999 - Champion - 66k-76k Division 1st Place
Most Technical Fighter Award
•Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships
2000 - 66k-76k Division Silver Medalist
•Black Belt Super Challenge
2000 - Champion
•Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships
2001 - Open Division Silver Medalist
Best Match Award
Fastest Submission Award
•Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships
2005 - Superfight Runner Up

Here's a clip from his documentary, Force of The Spirit:

To be continued....

Competition Training

2009-05-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

June will mark the beginning of intense competition training once again. Check out the Events board at the Academy for a list of upcoming tournaments.

Slight schedule changes can be found on the forum.

Everyone is welcome to attend - expect to train hard!

Professor Bruce Shepherd will be fighting in the Rio International Masters & Seniors Tournament in Brazil. Professor Shepherd has medaled in the past and plans to do so again!

The following is a highlight video of last years competition!

Here are some links to pictures from last years Rio Open and International:

Gallery 1
Gallery 2
Gallery 3

Prof. Sauer re-cap

2009-05-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

As previously mentioned, Prof. Pedro Sauer's seminar this past Saturday was full of great information - not only technical but also the philosophy of BJJ. Thomas Harris from OctopusBJJ did an excellent job reflecting on the seminar. You can find his recap here.

Dax, Jeff and Thomas always bring down an excellent group of guys. It's always fun to see everyone together on the mat! Not to mention Dax's purple no-gi shirt!!

Prof. Pedro Sauer

2009-05-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

Prof. Pedro Sauer's seminar this past Saturday was AWESOME! It was nice to cover both GI and no-GI techniques. The Q&A format was refreshing as it tailored the seminar to the participants needs. Prof. Sauer's insight and philosophies into BJJ are eye opening and emphasize why we practice the sport. Leave your pride at the door and train hard/smart so that you are able to practice a lifetime of BJJ.

The Academy wishes to thank everyone that was able to attend and to Prof. Sauer for teaching. We look forward to seeing you in the future!

Pictures and videos will be up on the site soon (http://www.jiujitsuconcepts.com/page38.html ).

Congratulations To The Razzano Academy!

2009-04-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

A big CONGRATULATIONS to the members of The Razzano Academy who competed at the EGO tournament in Greenwood, IN on April 4th.

You can see photos and videos by following these links.

Good technique and good sportsmanship!

Keep up the good work!

Interesting documentary to check out

2009-04-12T19:55:00.001-07:00

I happened to catch an interesting documentary last night on TV. Thrilla in Manila premiered on HBO the other night. Here is a brief synopsis offered on HBO's website:

An Official Selection at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, THRILLA IN MANILA chronicles one of the bitterest sports face-offs ever, recounting a tale of personal betrayal that was stoked by the racial politics of 1970s America. Featuring archival footage and exclusive interviews with boxing insiders, including Ferdie Pacheco, Butch Lewis and Dave Wolf, as well as Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines, the documentary tells the story of two great fighters forever linked by three epic bouts, and looks at their final fight, considered the most brutal, from Frazier's perspective for the first time. Directed by John Dower ("Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of The New York Cosmos"), THRILLA IN MANILA deftly tracks an extraordinary personal battle between two friends, and captures the poignant moment in the socio-cultural history of the country when they became American sports icons and legends. While Ali was a symbol of the civil rights struggle and anti-Vietnam War movement, Frazier was cast as the symbol of the pro-war, conservative segment of American society, some would say unfairly. In 1967, Ali was stripped of his heavyweight crown after refusing induction into the armed forces. The film reveals how Frazier subsequently befriended Ali and supported the renewal of his boxing license and status, showing the intense feelings of betrayal he felt after Ali returned to the ring in 1970 and subjected him to race-baiting attacks.

Even if you're not a boxing fan, this is an excellent documentary that will keep you glued to your seat.

Here's a highlight video from ESPN:

Here's a link to HBO's website for future showings. http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_DETAIL=DETAIL&FOCUS_ID=682669

Enjoy!

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Series

2009-04-02T19:45:00.001-07:00

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu there are several high-profile names that everyone is familiar with, most notably the Gracie name. In this blog and several that follow, I would like to take a bit to look at some of BJJ's big names and what they mean to the sport.

With the upcoming seminar at the Academy (May 2) and fall invitational, Pedro Sauer will be presented first in our series of BJJ black belts.

The following is a brief bio from Professor Sauer's website:

Professor Pedro Sauer was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where from an early age, he began training in the martial arts. At age five, he began boxing and later took up judo and taekwondo. At age fifteen, however, his friend, Rickson Gracie, invited him to train jiu-jitsu with his younger brother, Royler, who at the time was only nine years old. The outcome of this experience convinced him that jiu-jitsu was the most effective of all the martial arts, and he began training the very next day. Pedro worked towards a double major (Economics and Business Administration) in college, and took post graduation course at Fundacao Getulio Vargas. He worked in Brazil as a stockbroker for eleven years before deciding to move to the United States and pursue a career teaching jiu-jitsu. In 1990, he moved to California with the original wave of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors. He lived in California with Rickson Gracie and trained daily with the Gracie brothers (Rickson, Rorion, and Royce), their father, Helio Gracie, their cousin, Renzo Gracie, and the Machado Brothers, as well as many others. In December of that same year, he moved to Utah where he has lived for the past eight years, pioneering brazilian jiu-jitsu in the American southwest.

Certifications
1985 - Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Helio and Rickson Gracie
1986 - Tecnico de Jiu-Jitsu. This is a special certificate given in recognition of superior technical mastery of the art of jiu-jitsu, given to only a handful of students by Helio Gracie.
1990 - Certified Black Belt Instructor by Robson Gracie and the Federacao de Jiu-Jitsu
Black Belt Judo
1993 - 3rd Degree Black Belt from Rorion Gracie
1996 - Level 6 Instructor Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy (Rorion and Royce Gracie)
2000 - 5th Degree Black Belt under the Federacao de Jiu-Jitsu
2003 - 6th Degree Black Belt

Here is a short clip of Professor Sauer rolling after a seminar in 2008.

We look forward to having Professor Sauer at the Academy on May 2nd.
For more details see the event page at http://www.thejiujitsuacademy.com/

Tournament Results

2009-04-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

The Bluegrass Open was held last weekend in Louisville, KY. We brought a group ranging from first time fighters to seasoned veterans. As of writing this, official results have yet to be posted. I do know that we brought home multiple medals, too many for me to keep track of. There's a good posting in the forum recaping most of the matches.

Everyone that fought displayed a high level of skill and sportsmanship. Professor Shepherd received many compliments on the Team as the tournament progressed.

A big thanks to everyone that came out to support the Team and to the fighters on the sidelines coaching/cheering on their teammates.

Pictures and vidoes are up on the site and more are being added daily. Hopefully by this weekend we will have the majority posted.

Here's a direct link to the media page.

http://www.bruceshepherd.com/page34.html

It looks like the next tournament is going to be around July when Professor Shepherd heads to Brazil to fight in the Rio International Open http://www.ibjjf.org/rio2009registration.htm

After that we should be looking at competing in September/October/November. Time to rest up and train!