Black belt Gui Valente teaching in Holland . Photo: Personal archives

Earlier this month GMA Valente Brothers and Black belt professor Gui Valente travelled to Holland for an intense week of Jiu-Jitsu.

Gui taught seminars and was invited to visit the training center of the Amsterdam Police and to demonstrate Jiu-Jitsu at the Royal Dutch Marines Base in Doorn.

Last year the Valente brothers also established a Study Group in the city of Weesp, located minutes away from Amsterdam.

Professor Gui Valente at the Royal Dutch Marines Base in Doorn. Photo: Personal Archives

In his last fight, he defend the belt against Frankie Edgar. Photo: UFC

Champion of the UFC featherweight division and undefeated for 15 fights, Jose Aldo hasn’t given chances to his opponents in the octagon. However, the athlete knows he can’t settle if he wants to defeat Anthony Pettis on the evening of August 3 in Rio de Janeiro and receive the belt from President Dana White for the fifth time.

Attentive to Pettis’ (Showtime) stand up fighting skills, Aldo is refining his striking in Netherlands with friend and K-1 legend Andy Souwer. There, he spent nearly 15 days in a similar routine to the one adopted in 2011, before the fight with Mark Hominick in 2012.

“Andy Souwer is a great friend and a spectacular fighter. He always helped me a lot and I’m very happy to always count on this training in Netherlands. It was very useful the first time and now it was again. I’m sure I’ll show moves that Pettis doesn’t expect to see and I’ll keep this belt for Brazilian fans and my friends,” said the champion.

Among other goals during the trip to Netherlands was to strengthen the psychological aspect and leave his comfort zone which is dangerous among athletes who have reached the top of their careers. Against Anthony Pettis, Jose Aldo will face the challenge of an athlete of a heavier category, the lightweight, which he left only to fight for the belt. From now on, the champion will train with his Nova Uniao training partners in Rio de Janeiro.

“Pettis is a big challenge, but I’ll be more than ready to face him. I’ll only be able to defend my belt if I train a lot, if I always seek to improve myself. And these trips are great because apart from training, I can develop the psychological part by being in a different country alone, focused only on training. There are new cultures and training and it only brings good things. I will train in Nova Uniao to fight, because it’s my home and where the best training in the world for light fighters reside,” he says.

Source: Press Agency

Aldo in Haiti, before heading to Holland / Photo: Antonio Lima/Publicity

While his opponents can’t stamp their mark on his mug, José Aldo keeps getting his passport stamped, in his search for new training partners and challenges.

In the bone-chilling cold of Holland, Aldo has been keeping warm by training with one of his heroes, alongside his muay thai coach and training partner Johnny Eduardo (Boxe Thai/Nova União).

GRACIEMAG.com contacted the UFC featherweight champion, who spoke of the anxiousness of having his first fight in the world famous octagon, following the fusion of the UFC and the WEC, where he came to fame.

Find out what goes on in the head of the champ as he trains to defend his belt from Mark Hominick at home in Canada on April 30. Below, check out some of Jose Aldo Junior’s career highlights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT-unj2Ffr8

How is training in Holland going for UFC 129?

Training is going great, both Johnny and I are learning a lot from the folks here, where everyone’s a standup expert. There’s nothing better than training with one of your heroes – I always liked Andy Souwer’s style at K-1 Max, and training with him here was one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

You went to Haiti, now you’re in Holland. Where will you do the final part of your preparations to face Hominick?

I’ll return to Brazil soon, then I won’t travel any more. I’ll do the last part of my training in Rio up until I travel to Canada. I insist on doing my final preparations for my fights with my team and friends from training; I won’t trade that for anything.

What is most dangerous about Hominick?

He has his strong points, which may be his standup. As soon as I get back to Brazil I’m going to sit down, watch some of his fights and study him better. Now here, with Andy, we’re already working on some things I’ve noticed about my opponent. But in Brazil, along with Dedé (Pederneiras) and our team, we’re going to put together the final training plan and strategy. We’ll work based not just on his game, but mine too (laughs)…

Are you at all anxious about this fight in particular?

Yes, I’m plenty anxious to fight in the UFC for the first time. But it has a lot more to do with UFC fans, the ones who don’t know me yet, and for my admirers who are waiting for this moment. Deed down inside I feel like it will be another fight, another challenge like the rest, and I’m going to train the way I have for all my other fights up until now. In other words, I’m going to train a lot.

What did you learn from witnessing the situation in Haiti up close?

My experience in Haiti was very worthwhile. Just to have participated in the goodwill mission added a lot for me. I was kind of shocked by what I found there, but it just made me more thankful for what I have and reinforced the impression I already had in my head.

An idol since the days of Pride, Alistair Overeem is one of the favorites to take the Strikeforce heavyweight GP.

In late 2010, after conquering the prestigious K-1 World GP, the Dutch muay thai-fighting ace with the slick guillotine released a twelve-chapter documentary about his career on video website vimeo.com. It’s worth watching if just for the behind-the-scenes shots, which is why we set aside the final chapter here.

If you’d rather watch the entire saga,  click here.

Always a handful in competitions, black belt Abmar Barbosa has traveled the world to compete and teach seminars. Furthermore, Abmar helps out in the training of UFC fighter Joe Lauzon, who has a fight coming up. Check out the fighter’s chat with GRACIEMAG.com.

How has life been since you left Brazil for the United States to compete and teach class?

Since moving to the United States to fulfill my dream, which is to teach, a lot of good stuff has happened to me and lots of opportunities have arisen. This past month I had the pleasure of teaching a number of seminars around the world.

Where all did you go?

My trip started in Hawaii. I went to compete at the IBJJF’s Honolulu Open and managed to take silver in the absolute. After that I went to Japan, where I competed at the Asian Open and won my division and the absolute, closing out with my friend Marquinhos de Souza, of Bonsai.

You have any new projects coming up?

Following the championship in Japan, I returned to the USA to shoot my DCD, which will launch in November. Once filming was over, I went to teach at a Drysdale JJ branch in Canada, where I stayed for six days and taught a seminar. Then I went to Europe: Ireland, Belgium, and Holland, teaching seminars and classes.

Is it true you are also helping out fighters training for the UFC?

When I was in Europe, Joe Lauzon, a UFC fighter who trains Jiu-Jitsu with me, called me saying he is going to fight at UFC 123 on November 20, the one where Lyoto Machida and Quinton Jackson will fight. So I returned to returned to the USA to help Joe brush up on his ground game for the fight.

And how is Joe Lauzon’s Jiu-Jitsu? In his last fight, against Gabe Ruediger, he put on quite a show on the ground…

A lot of folks ask me about his Jiu-Jits and our strategy for the fight. I reply by saying our aim is to be good in all respects. I don’t want to know about the opponent, I want to know about Joe. I want him to do well in Jiu-Jitsu, but also to have good cardio, explosiveness, and standup. Joe has a number of excellent professionals helping him and, aside from that, he’s naturally good. He’s really strong. I feel Joe is a complete fighter who always has a lot of desire to win. His ground game is sharp and it’s really hard to keep him from getting out of a position. And if you blink and mess up, it’s over. He gets you.

What’s your next competition?

As I have to train Joe Lauzon for his fight, I won’t make it to the South American Championship in Brazil. I have an American student named Garret who will represent me there. He a purple belt and recently was runner-up in the absolute division of the Pan and the New York Open, and he’s only 70 kg (155 lbs).

And will you carry on teaching seminars?

This Saturday, October 22, I’ll be at one of my branches, Two Swords BJJ academy. On Sunday I’ll be at black belt Brian Caldwell’s Intenze MMA Academy. Those interested can shoot an email to abmarbarbosa@hotmail.com. Thanks to you all at GRACIEMAG.com and GRACIEMAG magazine!

The bout was one of those featured in the event’s welterweight GP. Jucão won via unanimous decision and continues in the dispute.

Check out how it went and leave your opinion in the comments section:

Roan Jucão in photo by Josh Hedges

The first stage of the Ultimate Glory welterweight GP kicked off this Saturday in Amsterdam, Holland.

In one of the most heavily-anticipated fights of the night, former UFC fighter Roan “Jucão” Carneiro beat current Shooto champion Luis Beição to remain in the race. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt’s win came by way of unanimous decision.

In the other fights on the night, Siyar Bahadurzada, another Shooto champion, added another knockout win to his record while still in the first round.

Check out the complete results:

The first stage of the Ultimate Glory welterweight GP kicked off this Saturday in Amsterdam, Holland.

In one of the most heavily-anticipated fights of the night, former UFC fighter Roan “Jucão” Carneiro beat current Shooto champion Luis Beição to remain in the race. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt’s win came by way of unanimous decision.

In the other fights on the night, Siyar Bahadurzada, another Shooto champion, added another knockout win to his record while still in the first round.

Check out the complete results:

Ultimate Glory

Amsterdam, Holland

October 16, 2010

Hracho Darpinyan defeated Robert Jocz via KO at 0.47 min of R1

Roan Jucão defeated Beição via unanimous decision

John Alessio submitted Sergey Golyaev via kimura at 1:54 min of R1

Siyar Bahadurzada defeated Derrick noble via TKO at 1:54 min R1

Tommy Depret submitted David Bielkheden via guillotine at 036 min of R1

“I’ve been holding this event in Holland every year, but this time, unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it. It’s a classic event in Europe. Anyone who doesn’t know Holland yet, this is a great time to get to know it!” says Carlos Francis.

Photo: Publicity.

An MMA organization promising to shake up the Middle East, more specifically Jordan, has come to be and has a date for its maiden event. Desert Force Championship (DFC) is set for November 19 with five international bouts and another five between local athletes. Athletes from Jordan, the UAE, USA, Holland, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine are expected on the card.

“We already did Capital Challenge, which is greatly identified with Jiu-Jitsu. We will use this identity in future gentle art events,” explains Zaid Mirza about the MMA organization’s name change.

“Desert Force is the name we decided on for this MMA event, inspired by the vast majority of the Middle East. The people of the desert are known for bearing difficult conditions and sacrifices, as are MMA fighters. We want to show the world the power of the people of this region,” adds Mirza, who is also launching Midde East Fight League (MEFL).

The aim is to, in the future, hold events once a month and launch talent from the region into major organizations like the UFC, Dream, Strikeforce and the DFC itself.

“The first show will take place in Cairo, Egypt, in January 2011. The MEFL cage will go around all the Arab countries of the Middle East,” reveals Mirza.

A country with a tradition in combat sports, Greece has all the makings of a breeding ground for great fighters and a market for Jiu-Jitsu teachers in Europe.

At least that’s the assessment of Robert Drysdale, who just wrapped up a seminar tour in the Greek capital of Athens and took off for Ireland.

To the teacher Greece harbors opportunities for those who want to teach and make a living through Jiu-Jitsu.

“Jiu-Jitsu in Greece is taking off in popularity quickly. There’s a lack of tournaments, but folks there are passionate about the sport,” assayed Drysdale, who taught three seminars in Athens.

“They have a millenary tradition in fight sports and I feel that within a few years the country will be a major Jiu-Jitsu power in Europe. I believe over the next few years we’ll see a new crop of Jiu-Jitsu teachers and players. And the people there are really hospitable; they treated me like a king. I was very well received,” stated the ADCC 2007 absolute champion.

Check out where Drysdale will be teaching in the coming days:

Belguim: 3 August

Academy Bad Boys JJ

Woensdag in Sporthal “Lakerveld”, Guldensporenlaan

16A,
3530 Houthalen.

Info: www.grappling.be

Holland : 5 and 6 of August

Info: robert@robertdrysdale.net

Scotland: 8 August

Dundee Mixed Martial Arts

Wishart Church, 61 King Street

Info: admin@dmmayacsa.com

Pedro Galiza with Melvin Manhoef. Photo: Personal Archive

At 33 years of age, black belt from Brasilia Pedro Galiza would often say how he doesn’t expect much in his MMA career. But with an important win at an event linked to StrikeForce, he may just end up in the eye of the hurricane.

On Saturday Galiza beat TUF winner Vinicius “Pezão ” Magalhaes,at Shark Fights 9 in Texas, where veteran Don Frye also put in an appearance. Having won, Pedrão now returns to Brazil, where he will prepare for his next outing.

“I was training for a fight in Slovakia when the opportunity to fight Vinny arose. So I wasn’t quite prepared since, you know, in Europe it’s a different level. Specifically for this fight, I really only trained three days, “he tells GRACIEMAG.com.

“I knew the kid was strong on the ground; I watched ADCC 2009 and everything else. But MMA is different, right? Since the time I spent in the Netherlands I’ve been doing a lot of muay thai training, but the goal is always to take it to the ground. I was very confident in my game and didn’t have too many problems. The fight played out mostly standing; he tried to take me down a few times and failed. I pulled guard and he tried to spin, but I defended well and got back to my feet, “he adds.

In the end, Galiza admits he felt a bit of a lack of gas because of the pace early on, but managed to hold out for the unanimous decision. “Now I’m going back to Brazil because I have one more fight in the U.S. on May 15. I’m focusing on MMA now with all my strength, “he says, with his MMA ambitions resurrected.

Check out the full results below:

Shark Fights 9
Civic Center Coliseum, Amarillo, Texas
March 20, 2010

Jason Sampson submitted Jeremy Valderaz via armbar at 2:50min
Cody Pfister defeated Severo Padilla via technical knockout at 2:52min
Isaias Martinez submitted Don Frye via armbar at 4:55 min of R2
Tony Castillo submitted Edwyn Jones via rear naked choke at 3:09min
Kenny Trevino submitted Eric Rodriguez at 2:18 min of R2
Josh King defeated John Luna via technical knockout at 1:11min
Pedro Galiza defeated Vinny Magalhaes via unanimous decision
Douglas Evans submitted Dustin Phillips via heelhook at 2:25min

Recently announced  by GRACIEMAG.com,black belt Michelle Nicolini’s seminar in Amsterdam  last Friday and Saturday was a success. The champion was well received and the event drew 35 male and female participants.

On Sunday, February 21, Michelle heads to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, to hold the next seminar on the agenda.

Michelle will then return to Sao Paulo, more specifically on the 24th of February, to continue her training for the qualifiers for the World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup in Abu Dhabi.