Sean Roberts with his mentor, Ralph Gracie. Photo: Personal Archive

GMA members from Ralph Gracie Chino Hills, Rocha Jiu-Jitsu and Crispim BJJ are set for superfights in a new submission-only event.

Sean Roberts, who currently lives and trains at the Ralph Gracie headquarters in San Francisco, is a representative of his home school in Chino Hills and will be attending the Kurt Osiander Finisher Series first event on August 10 for a superfight. He received his black belt right before the 2013 Pan American Championship and will be going against an opponent who received his black belt from GMA member Eduardo Rocha in 2010.

All superfights are specific to whether they are gi or no-gi, Sean’s will be in the gi but he is currently looking for an opponent for another superfight in the event. The rules vary from other events as they do have a time limit, fifteen minutes. This way, the competitors are forced to really look for the submission and not focus on the points at all.

Other superfight match-ups include brown belt Mark Tse under Eduardo Rocha who will be going in a gi match against Crispim BJJ’s Kola Ajose. Another Crispim BJJ student in a match-up is Brooke Goldsworthy who is currently looking for an opponent in a gi match.

Alongside the superfights is a round-robin structured tournament that has 5-6 minute matches and submission-only format. Should the match end in no submission, a ref will determine the more aggressive athlete. Divisions are bracketed in pools like the Copa Podio and the competitor who gains the most submission/decision wins the group will advance to match-up against winners of the other groups in the division.

Submission-only tournaments are surfacing with points and advantages remaining for the most prestigious tournaments like Worlds and Pan-Ams. Is this the future of sport Jiu-Jitsu?

Royler Gracie and his father Helio Gracie. Photo: Helio Gracie Foundation/HGF

A new philanthropist venture has bloomed in the Jiu-Jitsu community called the Helio Gracie Foundation which serves to help spread the gentle art through programs for kids and teens. President of the foundation and co-founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Royler Gracie has put together a way for youngsters to gain the wonderful benefits for body and mind.

From the founders, “The Helio Gracie Foundation began with the simple idea that Jiu-Jitsu’s life-changing power should be within reach of every individual motivated to pursue it, regardless of his or her financial or social situation.” Programs are aimed towards kids and teens through public schools where Jiu-Jitsu can influence and strengthen the community.

The foundation is currently partnering with GMA member Eduardo Rocha of Rocha Jiu-Jitsu, a Gracie Humaita academy in San Francisco, CA who also serves as executive director.

For more information and how to support and/or donate to the cause visit www.heliofoundation.org

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GRACIE HUMAITA – ROCHA JJ

PROFESSOR:

Black Belt Eduardo Rocha

ADDRESS: 3645 Grand Ave #102, Oakland, CA, ZIP: 94610

PHONE: (510) 384-1010

WEBSITE: www.oaklandbjj.com

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/eduardo.rocha

ABOUT:

Eduardo Rocha is a world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and teacher. He currently holds a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Royler Gracie. He has competed in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and professional vale tudo fights, and has extensive experience in competitons. He will teach you how to win! He brings to the Bay Area a modern approach featuring the latest techniques straight from Brazil.

Eduardo learned Jiu Jitsu with the Gracie Family under direct supervision of Master Helio Gracie in Rio de Janeiro, where he was awarded his black belt in 1996. He was the assistant instructor in the Gracie Humaita academy in Rio de Janeiro for many years, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge to teach the best aspects of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

If you like to compete, are seeking a challenge, or just want to get in the best shape of your life, he is absolutely the best instructor you will find. The experiences you will get on the mats transfer to all aspects in your life. In this manner you will evolve into a person with more competitive drive and greater confidence to face all of life’s challenges, and be the best person you can be on and off the mat.

Learn how to win with Professor Eduardo Rocha.

VIDEO:

The big name from the event was Diego “Nosferatu” Herzog (Ralph Gracie SF), who won the absolute division by choking out Soul Fighters representative Rafael Formiga. Diego also took gold in his weight class.

There were, however, a number of other matches bringing excitement to Independence High School. At lightweight, Osvaldo Augusto “Queixinho” had a good run but lost in the final to Marcos Torregrosa. At middle, Carlos Diego Ferreira took gold after beating Rafael Formiga in the final.

Top spot on the winning team stand went to Claudio França, followed by Ralph Gracie and Gracie Humaitá.

Check out the photos from the event taken by photographer Daniel Carettoni:

Sunday

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Saturday

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O principal destaque do evento, no último fim de semana, foi Diego Herzog (Ralph Gracie SF), o Nosferatu, campeão do absoluto, ao finalizar a fera da Soul Fighters Rafael Formiga com um estrangulamento das costas. Diego também foi ouro na sua divisão de peso.

Entretanto, muitos outros combates agitaram as áreas de luta na Independence High School. No peso leve, Osvaldo Augusto “Queixinho” lutou bem, mas acabou parado na final pela pedreira Marcos Torregrosa. No médio, Carlos Diego Ferreira ficou com o ouro após bater Rafael Formiga na final.

Entre as equipes, o pódio foi para Claudio França, seguido pela Ralph Gracie e Gracie Humaitá.

Confira as fotos do evento, registradas pelo fotógrafo Daniel Carettoni:

Domingo

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Sábado

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Check your schedule for December 5th.

All clear? If that is the case, hurry and call GMA member school Rocha JJ, in Piedmont, CA.

Black belt Eduardo Rocha will be welcoming two times absolute black belt champion Xande Ribeiro (also a GMA) for a special seminar.

There is only 30 spots and that is why you must call right away.

The cost is US$ 90.

For more info, go to cateambjj.com

Do you own a Jiu-Jitsu academy and want to have your school featured  on GRACIEMAG.com? It’s easy, all you need to do is to become a GMA member. Click here and find out how.

Five times world champion Leticia Ribeiro (Fit Jiu-Jitsu/ Gracie Humaitá) will teach a women’s only seminar at Eduardo Rocha’s  Rocha JJ, in Oakland, California.

Early registration is $60, $70 at the door.

For those interested in a private lesson with Leticia, she’s available on Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9^th.

For more info and to register, go to bayjiujitsu.com.

Five times world champion Leticia Ribeiro (Fit Jiu-Jitsu/ Gracie Humaitá) will teach a women’s only seminar at Eduardo Rocha’s  Rocha JJ, in Oakland, California.

Early registration is $60, $70 at the door.

For those interested in a private lesson with Leticia, she’s available on Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9^th.

For more info and to register, go to bayjiujitsu.com.

Do you own a Jiu-Jitsu academy and want to have your school featured  on GRACIEMAG.com? It’s easy, all you need to do is to become a GMA member. Click here and find out how.

Russell tornou-se assim o primeiro cego a tornar-se faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu, tendo começado a treinar desde a faixa-branca sem nada enxergar.

Foto: Divulgação Gracie Humaitá.

Apenas mais um feito do obstinado americano, que perdeu a visão e dedos das mãos numa experiência química na garagem. Ele tentava criar um combustível para foguetes, quando tinha apenas 20 anos.

Hoje, depois de 25 cirurgias, anos de faculdade e dez anos de Jiu-Jitsu (ele começou com Regis Lebre), o faixa-preta tem um diploma em Finanças na Universidade da Pensilvânia, muito dinheiro no banco, algumas medalhas no Jiu-Jitsu… e uma faixa-preta, conquistada com o aval de nosso GMA Eduardo Rocha e de mestre Royler Gracie.

Parabéns, Russell! Você é um exemplo para o GRACIEMAG.com e toda a comunidade do Jiu-Jitsu.

Do you know Russell Redenbaugh?

You don’t?

Let the GMA Blog introduce him to you.

Royler, Russell, Rocha

Do you know Russell Redenbaugh?

You don’t?

Let us introduce him to you.

Russell Redenbaugh is approaching 65 years old.

Russell Redenbaugh is blind.

Russell Redenbaugh is a millionaire.

Russell Redenbaugh tried to make rocket fuel in his garage when he was 20 years old. The whole thing exploded and he lost his eyesight, several fingers of his hand and had to go through 25 surgeries.

Russell Redenbaugh has a Masters Degree with honors from the University of Pensylvannia.

In 2003, Russell Redenbaugh became Jiu-Jitsu world champion, as a blue belt.

And now, Russell Redenbaugh has become a Jiu-Jitsu black belt.

In the picture, you can see Russell with GMA member Eduardo Rocha and master Royler Gracie.

Russell started training with another GMA, Regis Lebre, back in 2000, following the advice of a physical trainer.

What can we say about Russel other than: What an example.

And congratulations!