Nikki at the top of the podium at the 2014 Pan No-Gi. Photo: Personal archive

In the fall of 2009, Nikki Sullivan took on Jiu-Jitsu as a new hobby. Five years later she won the Pan No-Gi purple belt lightweight title. In between, she became a preschool teacher. Over the past year she has made it to Abu Dhabi as a blue belt, earned her purple belt and made it to the top of the podium a few times. The Indiana native finds time to train just as other serious athletes do but while also making a difference in the lives of youth on a daily basis.

Check out how Nikki manages her time of training and teaching, what awkward situations have arisen from two dueling roles she plays and her plans in the future:

GRACIEMAG: What got you into Jiu-Jitsu?

NIKKI SULLIVAN: I’ve always liked to ‘wrassle’, even before I knew what I was doing. My brothers and I used to roughhouse all the time when we were little. I’ve always been interested in the martial arts. I tried taekwondo my freshman year in college, but it wasn’t really what I was looking for. I wanted to feel like I could defend myself if I needed to. My senior year in college, a friend recommended Jiu-Jitsu. I took a class through the university, and immediately fell in love with it. I got involved with the BJJ club at Indiana University. I wanted to roll all the time, anywhere. I remember rolling outside in the grass a couple of times, or even on a racquetball court once, haha. (I decided not to do that again.)

When did you decide to become a preschool teacher?

I knew I loved teaching since I was a kid. I decided to major in education when I was in college, but did not decide to work with the preschool age until after graduating and working for a few years.

Have the two roles, Jiu-Jitsu competitor and teacher, conflicted in terms of priorities and schedule?

It can be tough to balance teaching full-time with training and teaching Jiu-Jitsu as well. Some days I’m so drained after work that all I can do is drill. I make the most out of the down time and breaks that I get- I’ve had to learn to conserve my energy throughout the day. And I drink lots of coffee!!! I have to make sure I’m eating right so I don’t crash. I love being able to hit the training really hard on weekends, when I’m mentally and physically fresh. Sometimes I’ll do mini workouts at school: I’ll hold the kids and do squats, or have one of them climb on my back while I do pushups. The kids love it. Sometimes I’ll have them do bear crawls, bunny hops, etc. to get their energy out. I have time to plan and prep at work, so when I get done at 4, I’m free to train or do whatever else I need to. The best part about being a teacher… we get breaks! Summer, fall, winter break, etc. This summer, I was able to just focus on training, and it was wonderful. The breaks give me time to put in some more intensive training, and also to get some much-needed rest. Also, my school has been great about letting me take vacation days when I need to travel for tournaments. My boss and co-workers are very supportive of my passion for Jiu-Jitsu. I have a great team around me.

How often are you able to train? What’s an average daily schedule like for you?

I train 6 days a week, an average of 4 hours per day. On an average week day, I work 8 to 4, then have about an hour after work to chill before training. I then train until 8 or 9. For instance: on Tuesday, I help teach our kids judo class at the academy from 5-6, then train 6-8, then sometimes I’ll hop over to the university club after and roll until 9:30 or 10. Sometimes, when I’m prepping for a tournament, I’ll go in a couple mornings at 6:45 and get in some extra drilling before work. I also teach a women’s class on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. I train from 10-4 on Saturdays. I road-trip to other schools in the area when I can. I’ve also been trying to add some strength training in there. I have a really hard time making sure I take rest days. They’re super important though.

Do the parents find out that you do Jiu-Jitsu? Any interesting run-ins or embarrassing jokes?

There have been a few times when I came in to work with a black eye, and I got some looks… some questions. One time someone jokingly asked if I got into a fight, and I had to respond, “Wellll… yes…but let me explain…” Eventually, everyone gets used to the fact that bruises are a part of my life. In general, I think the parents love that I train martial arts. Most of them still think I do karate. They will make jokes like, “Oh, so that’s how Miss Nikki keeps you in line!” Some of the kids have siblings that go to my kids judo class. I brought in some of my tournament medals one day and let the kids wear them around, which they loved! I think the parents really enjoyed seeing their babies being little champions.

How much were you preparing for Pan No-Gi when you won the lightweight division?

I was training as much as I could. My training schedule didn’t change too much, but I was going into the gym at 6:45 a.m. a couple mornings a week to get extra drilling and rolling in before work. I also try to grab a buddy and drill after or in-between classes to get extra reps in. I go to a school in Greenwood on Sundays for competition training, and that’s super helpful for tournament prep. Lots of working from the feet, shark-tanking, etc.

Walk me through your matches. Which was the toughest?

In my first match against Hanna Rauch, I got taken down, then swept, passed the guard, took the back, and finished with a belly down rear-naked choke. In my second match against Danielle Alvarez, I pulled a high guard and caught a tight armbar early in the match. My final match against Eva Tarnay was probably the toughest. I pulled guard again and was able to sweep, then it was a battle to pass and control on top. She was aggressive, never gave up, and had great movement. I’m not sure if I ever got points for the pass. I was able to take the back and attacked submissions until the end of the match. Her defenses were great! This was the only match that I was unable to finish with a submission.

What’s next for you?

I’m competing in the FIVE North American Invitational Championship in Miami. I want to do Pans and Worlds in the Spring and maybe the Europeans if I can swing it.

Watch the semi-final of Pan No-Gi:

Black belt Rener Gracie saw the images and reached out to the boy’s family, inviting them to go to California to try to restore what had been rocked by the incident.

In the video below, you will witness the transformation that occurred during a single week of intensive training at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Austin assimilated that you can be strong and yet gentle and respectful. With the lessons learned from the gentle art, he knows how to defend from violence and bullying and has acquired the confidence he was lacking to live in this world.

Check out the video and see how you can help your child.

Professor:

Black Belt Bruce Shepherd proud of his purple-belt student.

Address: 2100 Maxwell Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711

Phone: 1 812 401 1111

Website: www.thejiujitsuacademy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJiuJitsuAcademy

About:

The Jiu Jitsu Academy is a state of the art facility conveniently located in Southern Indiana. Classes are centered on Gracie Jiu Jitsu, submission grappling, and self-defense. Students are taught through group classes and personalized attention.

The Jiu Jitsu Academy offers a clean and safe learning environment that everyone from toddler to senior can benefit from. Classes are offered to all ages, regardless of previous knowledge or ability. From the serious competitor to the beginner looking to keep in shape, there is a class for everyone.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lsEOj9mlU0

The Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Evansville, Indiana will be hosting ADCC, European and world champion Braulio Estima for a one-day seminar on June 16 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The cost is $125 and you must register by May 22.

Don’t miss the chance to work with one of the world’s top Jiu-Jitsu champions. If you’re in or around the area, confirm your spot ahead of time by contacting info@jiujitsuconcepts.com and once you receive your confirmation email, you can pay here.

For more information please visit www.thejiujitsuacademy.com

Miguel Torres is back. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC.

Following the post-UFC 141 press conference, Dana White informed the reporters that bantamweight fighter Miguel Torres is forgiven and can return to fighting in the UFC.

Miguel, a Carlson Gracie black belt, made light of rape in a joke posted over Twitter and was summarily fired.

Dana White explained why he allowed the fighter back into the promotion: “ He handled himself like a man. He owned up to it, went to rape crisis centers and talked to them about what he did, donated money to them all. He wasn’t told to do any of that.”

Miguel Torres, a Jiu-Jitsu teacher in the North American state of Indiana, is a former WEC champion and has amassed an official record of 44 MMA fights, with 40 of them triumphs.

Miguel Torres está de volta. Foto: Josh Hedges/UFC.

Após a coletiva de imprensa do UFC 141, Dana White informou os repórteres que o peso-galo Miguel Torres estava perdoado e voltaria a lutar pelo UFC.

Miguel, faixa-preta de Carlson Gracie, fez uma brincadeira com estupro no Twitter e foi sumariamente demitido.

Dana White explicou por que aceitou o lutador de volta: “Ele lidou com o problema feito um homem, sem ninguém mandá-lo agir assim. Ele reconheceu o erro, doou tempo e dinheiro para centros de apoio a mulheres violentadas, onde foi voluntário, entre outras atitudes”.

Miguel Torres, professor de Jiu-Jitsu em Indiana, é ex-campeão do WEC e hoje coleciona 44 lutas de MMA, com 40 vitórias.

Novaes atop podium in Indiana / Photo: personal archive

A week after overcoming a game Ryan Thomas in MMA, Brazil’s Jonatas Novaes donned his gi and met with further good fortune. The black belt took to competition at the May C3 tournament in Indiana and won the absolute after beating three opponents.

“Six black belts were signed up for the absolute, and I started out facing Daniel Wanderlei, from Carlson Gracie. It was a tough match but I managed to win by 5 to 0. The second was against the experienced Henry Matamoros, and despite his age he was doing well in the match, but I managed to submit him in the final minutes with a choke from half-guard,” recounts Jonatas.

“I faced Kroyler Gracie in the final, and even with a big weight difference between us I managed to win by 4 to 3 and take home the 600-dollar prize,” he says.

The curious part is that Novaes wasn’t even going to compete, as he hadn’t been training in the gi. “I hadn’t put on a gi in over a month because of my MMA fight last week. I was there to watch my students, but I couldn’t resist – it’s in my blood. The money came at a good time, too,” said the Brasa teacher in finishing.

Novaes no alto do pódio em Indiana. Foto: Acervo Pessoal.

Uma semana depois de vencer no MMA, em luta contra o duro Ryan Thomas, o brasileiro Jonatas Novaes vestiu o kimono e se deu bem. Em Indiana, o faixa-preta competiu no C3 Torneio de Mayo de Jiu-Jitsu, e foi campeão absoluto após bater três oponentes.

“Seis faixas-pretas estavam inscritos no absoluto, e comecei lutando contra o Daniel Wanderley, da Carlson Gracie. Foi uma luta dura, mas consegui vencer por 5 a 0. Na segunda, lutei contra o experiente Henry Matamoros, e apesar da idade ele estava bem na luta, mas consegui finalizá-lo nos minutos finais, com um estrangulamento da meia-guarda”, conta Jonatas.

“Na final enfrentei Kroyler Gracie, e mesmo com boa diferença de peso, ganhei nos pontos, 4 a 3, e levei 600 dólares de premiação”, detalha.

O curioso é que Novaes nem ia lutar, pois não estava treinando de kimono. “Não vestia o kimono há mais de um mês, devido à minha luta de MMA no outro fim de semana. Fui lá assistir meus alunos, mas acabou que não resisti, está no sangue mesmo. Graninha também veio numa hora boa”, concluiu o professor da Brasa.

Foto: Carlos Ozório

Rogério Minotouro encara Ryan Bader neste sábado, em Indiana, quando acontece o UFC 119.   

“Um lutador muito duro, com uma qualidade técnica impressionante no wrestling e muito forte. Ele é muito veloz, o que é muito importante no MMA, e também consegue misturar isso a uma boa trocação. O wrestling dele é muito forte, mas confio no meu Jiu-Jitsu para segurar isso e acho que o meu boxe é melhor”, analisa Minoto em entrevista a repórter Paula Sack, no site do UFC. 

Vindo de uma vitória em luta parelha contra Jason Brilz, no UFC 114, Minotouro sabe que precisa convencer para seguir firme rumo ao cinturão. 

“Esse é o plano, mas realmente tem muita gente boa no páreo, como o Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, o Rampage e o próprio Bader. É muita gente boa e serão grandes desafios pela frente. Tenho certeza que vou me dar bem e correr atrás desse cinturão”, aposta. 

A luta vai ser transmitida ao vivo pelo canal Combate, mas todos os detalhes estarão aqui no GRACIEMAG.com. Para aumentar a expectativa, Minoto promete raça dentro do octagon. 

“Peço a galera para fazer uma corrente positiva, que vai ser uma grande luta. O Ryan é um atleta duro, mas vai encontrar uma pedreira pela frente”, encerra.

Photo: Carlos Ozório

Rogério Minotouro faces off with Ryan Bader this Saturday in Indiana, where UFC 119 will be held.

“He’s a tough fighter, has impressive wrestling technique and is really strong. He’s really fast, which is most important in MMA, and he also manages to mix that with good striking. His wrestling is really strong, but I have faith in my Jiu-Jitsu to handle that, and I feel my boxing is better,” Minotouro told reporter Paula Saack on the UFC’s Brazilian website.

Coming off an evenly-matched fight with Jason Brilz at UFC 114, Minotouro knows he needs to be convincing in his next outing if he hopes to keep his title hopes alive.

“That’s the plan, but there are a lot of people in the running, like Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Rampage and Bader himself. That’s a lot of good guys and there will be huge challenges ahead. I’m certain I’ll do well and get after that belt,” he wagers.

To keep hopes among his fans high, Minotouro promises a heart-filled performance in the octagon.

“I’d like to ask everyone to be positive, it’s going to be a great fight. Ryan is a tough athlete, but he’s going to have his work cut out for him,” he says in closing.

Mir, publicity photo

This Saturday the 25^th, sparks will fly in the Octagon for the first time in Indiana, USA, with UFC 119.

Frank Mir, a two-time heavyweight division, faces mixed martial arts legend Mirko Cro Cop. Brazil’s Rogério Minotouro goes up against rising-star Ryan Bader. Also at this coming installment of the event, a rematch between former welterweight champion Matt Serra and Chris Lytle, an Indianapolis native. The event will unfold at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Initially, Frank Mir was set to face Rodrigo Minotouro. A hip injury suffered in training last month pulled Minotouro from the bout, and Croatia’s Mirko Cro Cop stepped in in his place. Mir said he was motivated to face Minotauro but was pleased with the change of opponent, as he had already beaten the Brazilian in December 2008 and anything but a knockout within seven minutes would, to him, be defeat; and the idea he was intrigued by the danger that a single mistake could end the fight posed by a fighter like Cro Cop, who Mir will fight for the first time.

Cro Cop showed similar respect for his opponent’s abilities, stating that Frank is perhaps the best grappler in the UFC at present and that he will not try his luck with Mir on the ground.

Known for his heavy hands and lethal ground game, Rogério “Minotouro” Nogueira is dangerous wherever the fight may play out. It took just 1:56 min for him to knock out Luiz Cane in his UFC debut last November. In May of this year, however, he had a disappointing showing against Jason Brilz, taking the split-decision win to a salvo of boos. This time around he’ll have to step it up against the undefeated Ryan Bader. The fighter has rattled off four wins in a row since joining the UFC and holds a knockout win over the veteran Keith Jardine at UFC 110.

Matt Serra against Chris Lytle is another promising matchup. The two faced off in the “The Ultimate Fighter 4” reality show back in 2006 and, as they spent time as teammates, Serra and Lytle are familiar with each other’s games. Now after four years, fans will be able to watch the rematch and witness the two fighters’ growth in MMA.

On the preliminary card, Brazil’s Thiago Tavares returns to the Octagon to pick up where he left off. When he started back in 2007, he had a spectacular win over Jason Black in his second fight for the promotion and was touted as being a phenomenon. After a year sidelined, he faces first-timer Pat Audinwood.

“I’m going to show how the best in the world are in the UFC. Anyone coming in will have to lose to the veterans,” said the Brazilian.

UFC 119
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Saturday, September 25, 2010

Frank Mir vs Mirko Cro Crop

Ryan Bader vs Rogério Minotouro

Matt Serra vs Chris Lytle

Sean Sherk vs Evan Dunham

Melvin Guillard vs Jeremy Stephens

Preliminary card

CB Dollaway vs Joe Doerksen

Matt Mitrione vs Joey Beltran

Thiago Tavares vs Pat Audinwood

Steve Lopez vs Waylon Lowe

TJ Grant vs Julio Paulino

Mark Hunt vs Sean Mccorkle