JW Wright, head instructor of GMA Gracie Humaita St Louis will be in Springfield, MO to teach a seminar on JAnuary 31.

The second degree black belt under Royler Gracie will be teaching at 12 p.m. at Springfield BJJ located at 648 S. Scenic, Springfield, MO 65807.

The cost is $60 per person.

To reserve your spot, please contact Brian Stuebner at 417-841-8250 or email brian@springfieldbjj.net

Learn more about JW Wright and GMA Gracie Humaita St Louis at www.grapplingconcepts.com

Royler Gracie black belt Jena Bishop is hosting her second grappling camp for females. The camp will feature two days of live sparring, techniques, Q & A, and a mock tournament.

In May, the black belt gathered thirty females of all ages to train at the academy. Read about the experience here. The event was a unique chance in the midwest for females to train together since some little to none fellow females to train with at home.

The camp is open to all women and those aged 9-15 are restricted to just Saturday.

The times of the camp are as follows: Friday, Nov. 14 at 6:00 p.m. & Saturday Nov. 15 from 1 p.m.to 6 p.m.

Costs are $120 for both days, $100 for just Saturday.

To learn more and to reserve your spot go to http://www.womensbjjcamp.com/

JW Wright receives his second degree. Photo: Personal archive

GMA member Professor JW Wright is the head instructor of GMA Gracie Humaita St. Louis. He was honored at the Gracie Humaita annual meeting in San Diego, CA where he was promoted to second degree black belt under seventh degree red and black belt, Master Royler Gracie and fourth degree black belt Master David Adiv.

JW is also co-owner of Kozen Jiu-Jitsu, a clothing line and tournament series dedicated to promoting youth and adult Jiu-Jitsu in the Midwest.

Congratulations to JW and the GMA Gracue Humatia St. Louis team. To learn more, visit www.grapplingconcepts.com

Jena Bishop leads all-female training camp at GMA Gracie Humaita St. Louis. Photo: Tyler Bishop

Text by Tyler Bishop

On May 2-4 GMA Gracie Humaita St. Louis played host to the first ever Women’s BJJ Camp Midwest. The event was orchestrated by Royler Gracie black belt and 2013 brown belt world champion, Jena Bishop. The camp was designed to bring the women in the area together in one place to learn and train Jiu-Jitsu. The camp featured 30 participants of all ages, sizes, and belt levels.

“I never had many opportunities to train with other females when I started learning Jiu-Jitsu, so I have always wanted to organize something in this area that would facilitate that for others. Now that there are so many more women doing Jiu-Jitsu, it seemed like this was something that I could lead and take charge of,” said Bishop. Camp participants came from across the United States and from over ten different affiliations.  “There have already been a lot of requests for me to do it again soon. I would imagine that it is only going to grow. The feedback we have gotten has been very positive.”

The camp took place over three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and featured warm-ups, instruction, drills, positional sparring, open training, and a mock tournament. Jena also made sure that she rolled with every female that attended the camp. “The first time I ever really got to train with a female black belt was at blue belt, the next time was at brown belt. I wanted to make sure every girl that attended got that experience, because it was something I always coveted,” Bishop added.

Jena is currently training for the 2014 World Championships – her first at black belt. She plans to host more camps in the future, and is currently scheduling seminars for the second half of the year.

To find out more about future camps visit www.womensbjjcamp.com, or contact Jena Bishop at BishopBjj@gmail.com.

To learn more about Gracie Humaita St. Louis visit www.grapplingconcepts.com

GMA member Joao Faria of Gracie Del Mar will travel to Missouri for a seminar at GMA academy Gracie Humaita St. Louis on Nov. 3.

Professor Joao recently placed third in his division at the 2013 IBJJF Masters and Seniors Worlds. He also placed first at the 2013 Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship the weekend before in New York. And before that he won his MMA fight.

A proud instructor who focuses on helping his students as well as leading by example with an active presence in the competition scene, he has much knowledge to offer.

The seminar will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and open to all teams and affiliations.

The address is 1070 Weldon Springs Rd., Weldon Springs, MO.

The cost is $60. To reserve your spot call (636) 614-9498

Learn more about Joao Faria at www.graciedelmar.com and Gracie Humaita St. Louis at www.graciestlouis.com

Cris Cyborg disputes featherweight belt in Invicta FC 6. Photo: Invicta FC/Disclosed

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos is known as one of the best women in MMA. Only 27 years old and a record of 11-1, 1 N.C., the athlete went over a year without fighting after a fight against Hiroko Yamanaka. At the time, Santos was holding the Strikeforce featherweight belt and knocked out the Japanese opponent in just six seconds. Post-fight tests detected the use of illicit substances by the Brazilian, and she got a suspension of 12 months.

When she returned, the UFC had already decided the future of the other organization. Strikeforce would be extinct and only the bantamweight female category would go to the UFC. Cyborg was hired, but admitted that she couldn’t hit the 135 pounds, then she asked to leave and went to a smaller promotion, Invicta FC.

The fighter from Curitiba, Brazil, debuted in early April against Fiona Muxlow, who was replacing the injured Ediane India, and it was another knockout for her account (review the duel here). Cyborg underwent two doping tests after the victory, and both resulted negative, removing the stigma she was cast in 2012.

Now the former champion will have a new challenge ahead. She will compete for the featherweight belt against Marloes Coenen in Invicta FC 6 on July 13. The two have fought for the title in 2010 and Cris was better with a TKO. Nevertheless, the Dutch fighter has a great ground game and has submitted 15 of her 26 opponents. The last fight of Coenen was also against Fiona Muxlow, who she defeated with an armbar in Dream 18.

The event will feature three other Brazilian fighters: Claudia Gadelha, Ediane India and Duda Yankovich.

Check out the full card.

Invicta FC 6
Ameristar Casino Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri
July 13, 2013

Main Card

Marloes Coenen vs. Cristiane Santos
Carla Esparza vs. Ayaka Hamasaki
Sarah D’Alelio vs. Lauren Taylor
Leslie Smith vs. TBD
Jessica Penne vs. Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc
Joanne Calderwood vs. Claudia Gadelha
Julia Budd vs. Ediane Gomes
Bec Hyatt vs. Mizuki Inoue
Miriam Nakamoto vs. Duda Yankovich

Preliminary Card

Rose Namajunas vs. Tecia Torres
Ashley Cummins vs. Emily Kagan
Mollie Estes vs. Veronica Rothenhausler
Laura Sanko vs. Livia Von Plettenberg

Jonatas Novaes at Shofight 20 weigh-ins / Photo: Personal archive /GRACIEMAG

A black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and owner of a number of IBJJF titles, Jonatas Novaes saw MMA action this Saturday, June 16, at SF Shofight 20. At the Springfield, Missouri event, the Rodrigo Comprido students was quick on the trigger and took just 51 seconds before landing a high kick um chute alto,

that landed in full, dropping dazed former UFC fighter Drew Fickett to the mat. Following up on the ground, the Brazilian dropped fists to finish what he started.

Take a look back at Jonatas’s No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu style against current UFC fighter Milton Vieira in 2007.

In other fights on the Shofight card, Lyle Beerbohm took a unanimous decision over Marcus Aurélio, and Kendall Grove overcame Derek Brunson by split decision. In the main event of the evening, John Gunderson tapped out former UFC fighter Karo Parisyan with a first-round guillotine.

SF Shofight 20
Springfield, Missouri, USA
June 16, 2012

John Gunderson submitted Karo Parisyan via guillotine in R1
Kendall Grove defeated Derek Brunson via split decision
Lyle Beerbohm defeated Marcus Aurélio via unanimous decision
Mike Wessel defeated Matt Kovacs via TKO in R2
Jonatas Novaes defeated Drew Fickett via TKO in R1
Chris Greutzemacher defeated Roli Delgado via TKO in R3
Sevak Magakian defeated James Reese via unanimous decision
Chris McDaniel submitted Charles Bennett via triangle in R1
Sam Alvey defeated Lucas Lopez via TKO in R1
Dustin Phillips defeated Allen Gibson via unanimous decision
Matt Lucas defeated Lucas Overcast via unanimous decision
Mike Brazzle defeated Karen Darabedyan via TKO in R1
Jacob Ritchie defeated Robert Saborudden via TKO in R3
Jason Ignacek defeated Gary Michaels via unanimous decision

Jonatas Novaes na pesagem do Shofight 20. Foto: Arquivo Pessoal/GRACIEMAG

Faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu dono de variados títulos da IBJJF, Jonatas Novaes esteve em ação pelo MMA nesse sábado, 16 de junho, no evento SF Shofight 20. Em Springfield, Missouri, o aluno de Rodrigo Comprido foi rápido no gatilho e só precisou de 51 segundos para acertar um chute alto, que fez o ex-lutador do UFC Drew Fickett descer grogue. No chão, o brasileiro desceu o braço para liquidar a fatura.

Veja o estilo de Jiu-Jitsu sem kimono de Jonatas contra um atleta hoje no UFC, Milton Vieira, em luta de 2007.

Nas outras lutas, Lyle Beerbohm venceu Marcus Aurélio por decisão unânime dos jurados e Kendall Grove superou Derek Brunson por decisão dividida. Já na luta principal da noite, John Gunderson finalizou  Karo Parisyan, ex-atleta do Ultimate, com uma guilhotina no primeiro round.

SF Shofight 20
Springfield, Missouri, EUA
16 de junho de 2012

John Gunderson finalizou Karo Parisyan com uma guilhotina no R1
Kendall Grove venceu Derek Brunson by split decision
Lyle Beerbohm venceu Marcus Aurélio por decisão unânime
Mike Wessel venceu Matt Kovacs por TKO no R2
Jonatas Novaes venceu Drew Fickett por TKO no R1
Chris Greutzemacher venceu Roli Delgado por TKO no R3
Sevak Magakian venceu James Reese por decisão unânime
Chris McDaniel finalizou Charles Bennett com um triângulo no R1
Sam Alvey venceu Lucas Lopez por TKO no R1
Dustin Phillips venceu Allen Gibson por decisão unânime
Matt Lucas venceu Lucas Overcast por decisão unânime
Mike Brazzle venceu Karen Darabedyan por TKO no R1
Jacob Ritchie venceu Robert Saborudden por TKO R3
Jason Ignacek venceu Gary Michaels por decisão unânime

Jonatas Novaes, faixa-preta de Rodrigo Comprido. Ele encara Drew Fickett no próximo dia 16. Foto: Divulgação

Dono de vários títulos da IBJJF no currículo, o faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu Jonatas Novaes está com luta de MMA marcada para o próximo dia 16 de junho, no evento SF Shofight 20. Em Springfield, Missouri, o aluno de Rodrigo Comprido vai encarar o rápido ex-lutador do UFC Drew Fickett.

“Ele é um cara com muita experiência, sei que a luta será dura mas estou com fé em Deus, vou sair de lá com mais uma vitória”, disse o brasileiro, que tem hoje nove vitórias no MMA. Já o experiente americano fez 59 lutas, saindo vencedor em 42 delas.

Nos preparativos finais para o duelo, Jonatas mandou com exclusividade ao GRACIEMAG.com uma posição útil para o MMA e o Jiu-Jitsu sem kimono. No vídeo ele ensina você a defender a meia-guarda e finalizar ou raspar. Você confia na meia-guarda no MMA, como Jonatas? Veja o vídeo e comente com os demais leitores amantes de Jiu-Jitsu.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plsr4ZlOFQc

Além de Novaes, o evento traz ainda uma série de ex-craques do UFC, como Marcus Aurélio e Kendall Grove, que terão pela frente Lyle Beerbohm e Terry Martin, respectivamente. Já o judoca Karo Parisyan encara Jonh Gunderson, na luta principal da noite.

SF Shofight 20
Springfield, Missouri, EUA
16 de junho de 2012

John Gunderson vs Karo Parisyan
Kendall Grove vs Terry Martin
Drew Fickett vs Jonatas Novaes
Chris McDaniel vs Charles Bennett
Aaron Rosa vs Mike Wessel
Allen Gibson vs Dustin Phillips
Roli Delgado vs Chris Gruetzemacher
Lucas Overcast vs Matt Lucas
Karen Darabedyan vs Josh McDonald
Marcus Aurelius vs Lyle Beerbohm
Sam Alvey vs Shonie Carter
Jacob Ritchie vs Robert Sabaruddin
Chris Barnes vs Jesse Zeugin
Jason Ignacek vs Ara Meridian

Roger hits the mitts. Photo: Carlos Ozorio

Two-time absolute world champion of Jiu-Jitsu Roger Gracie could finally make his Strikeforce debut. According to MMAJunkie, he may appear on the card set for May 15 in St Louis, Missouri, to be broadcast live on Showtime.

Roger’s opponent hasn’t yet been named, but it is speculated that Kevin Randleman and Rameau Sokodjou, two veterans of the Pride and UFC events, are on the cards.

Despite his limited MMA experience, Roger won both his outings using pure Jiu-Jitsu. He submitted both Ron Waterman and Yuki Kondo while still in the first round.

On the same day Alistair Overeem is expected to face Brett Rogers and Antonio “Pezao” Silva is set to fight Andrei Arlovski.