With a $1000 cash prize on the line, it’s no wonder the Adult Black Belt Open Class at the 2010 Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu State Championship is attracting top athletes from around the Nation.

Nova Uniao stand-out and 2010 World Championship Super-Heavy Semi-Finalist, Bruno Bastos from Texas.

5th Arizona International Open Ultra-Heavy Champion,Guybson Sa (S.A.S./East West MMA) from New York.

2010 Pan Jiu-Jitsu Master Open Class Champion and 2009 Arizona Master Open Class Champion, Arizona representative Carlos Farias (Lion’s Den/ Roberto Traven).

Another well recognized athlete geared to compete is UFC Veteran Hermes Franca (East West MMA), who, although will not be contending for the cash prize, will be flying from Oregon for his chance to claim the Master Middleweight title.

The event takes place this weekend, in Mesa, Arizona, and is expected to reach its full capacity of 650 competitors.

For more information please visit azstate2010

Alberto Crane, of Legacy MMA, announces a busy week for the academy. His students will be competing at the Gracie Nationals. One of the coaches of the academy will be competing at the World Pro BJJ Cup, in Santa Cruz and Alberto himself is getting ready for another MMA bout at the  Called Out MMA event. More at legacymixedmartialarts.com.

In Arizona, Gustavo Dantas announces the main sponsor for the upcoming 5^th Arizona BJJ International Open, scheduled March 13 & 14th in Mesa, AZ. Many Weapons has been sponsoring BJJ Competitors such as: Gustavo Dantas, Steve Rosenberg, Kristina Barlaan, Issa Able,and the Broadnax Brothers. More at manyweapons.com. To register at the event, go to gdjiujitsu.com.

Wellington “Megaton” Dias announces another seminar. The leader of Team Megaton, in Arizona, will be at the North West Martial Arts Academy next February 27^th-28^th . For more info, go to teammegaton.com or call (541) 912-9099.

Browsing the website of our member Cadu Francis, we have found no breaking news, but we did found a taste of Cadu teaching. So, we direct you to this calss of the black belt teaching a arm bar from closed guard. Enjoy: myjiujitsuschool.com.

After organizing the World Pro BJJ Cup US west coast trials, in a partnership with Emirates Team leader Carlao Santos, to be held this Sunday, in Santa Cruz,  Claudio Franca is ready for yet another tournament. The Jiu-Jitsu by the Sea is scheduled February 6^th and registration is open at strongvon.com/jjbts0210.

In Irvine, California, Gracie Barra America, has some great news too. The BJJ for MMA class is just about to kick off. Professor Marcio Feitosa will be in charge of the training. BJJ for MMA will take place on Wednesday, January 27th at 8:00PM and it is open to all Advanced and Black Belt Program members. On the same subjet of improving your skills, GBA will host a Braulio Estima Seminar next February 5^th. Before January 31^st, Gracie Barra students will pay only $50.  After that, the cost is $75. Non Gracie Barra students will pay $100 before January 31st and $150 after that. For more info, go to graciebarraamerica.com.

Gracie Barra Corona, of Tom Reusing,  also in California, has launched a women’s self defense program. It is called “know means no” and already a success, as the picture shows. Next class is scheduled January 31st and February 7^th and 21^st. For more info, go to graciebarracorona.com.

Another GB branch with a innovative Idea to teach BJJ is Gracie Barra Dana Point, run by black belt Flavio Almeida. Last Saturday, the school kicked off its Buddy week.  The idea is for students to invite friends and family to go train with them and have a taste of what BJJ is all about. For more info, go to gbdanapoint.com.

And in Santa Ana, Ulpiano Malachias and his GB students had no rest during the hollyday season. They took the time to make improvements to the academy. The purpose is to bring more comfort to the classes. As you can see in the picture, they realy needed more room. For more info, go to gbsantaana.com.

And GMA member Robson Pereira, of Team Pereira, in Pennsylvania, informs that this Wednesday, January 20^th, is the last day to pre-register for UGC XI “ADRENALINE”. For more info, go to www.ugc-challenge.com.

Do you need to put your BJJ skills on the line against other fighters?

Gustavo Dantas, from GD Jiu-Jitsu, in Arizona, has another very good reason for you to put your gi on and go for it. A humanitarian reason.

Since last year, Dantas has a partnership with The United Food Bank, an organization that helps feeding those in need in America.

The three events (1st AZ Kids Cup, 2009 AZ BJJ State Championship,  1st Southwest Classic) organized by Dantas in 2009 raised 523 pounds of food, which equates to 409 meals put onto the tables of people who are struggling in our neighborhoods.

The fight for a better world continues in 2010. Gustavo has already announced that the first event of 2010, the 5th Arizona International Open of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will also be in the campaign.

So, get up, pack and go to Mesa, Arizona. The championship is scheduled March 13-14 and registration is open.

For more info, go to gdjiujitsu.com