Nova União USA president Gustavo Dantas / Photo: John Cooper

The 2012 Nova União USA Expo is a three-day event to take place November 30 to December 2 in Mesa, Arizona. The Expo will include seminars for both team members and non-team members alike, as well as the 2nd Nova União Invitational, a tournament exclusively for NU members.

This year’s Expo will be a tribute to Nova União Hawaii, inducting two black belts to the Nova União USA Hall of fame: Andre Pederneiras black belts Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, who has been carrying the team flag in Hawaii for over thirteen years; and the first non-Brazilian black belt to win a World Championship, “The Prodigy” BJ Penn. Unfortunately due to his upcoming UFC fight, BJ will not be attending the event; however, “Charuto” will be receiving the honors on his behalf.

The event kicks off on Friday, November 30 with a very unique seminar. For those having a hard time transferring their hard work in training practices to the competition mat, “Introduction to M.S.T. (Mental Skills training): A guide to maximizing your potential and success,” taught by Gustavo Dantas, may be the watershed for overcoming obstacles and performing to peak ability that was missing. Prior to and after the seminar, there will be a “Meet and Greet” with guest black belts, Robson Moura, Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro, Renato “Charuto” Verissimo, and Bruno Bastos. The seminar will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Mesa from 5pm to 9pm. All schools are invited to the M.S.T. seminar. Click here for firther info on the MST Seminar.

On Saturday, December 1 the 2nd Nova Uniao Jiu-Jitsu Invitational will take place at the Broadway Rec Center in Mesa, Arizona. The tournament is limited strictly to Nova União Association Members.

December 2, going for its 4th edition in Arizona, the Super FUSION Seminar, taught by Robson Moura & Gustavo Dantas, will feature special guest teachers “Charuto”, Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro, Bruno Bastos and Ricardo Bastos. The class will be comprised of around 75% drilling techniques and 25% training (sparring). The event will take place at the Broadway Rec Center from 10am – 1pm, and all schools are invited to the Super Fusion Seminar. Click here for further info on the Super Fusion Seminar.

Frazatto set to compete at Honolulu Open. Photo: Ivan Trindade

The IBJJF extended the Honolulu Open sign-up deadline. Instead of ending this Saturday, it was put off till August 31, this coming Tuesday (sign up here).

The event that takes place September 4 at Henry J. Kaiser High School marks the return of major IBJJF competitions to Hawaii. Black belts Bruno Frazatto, Jonatas Tagarela, Bruno Bastos, Laérci Fernandes and Aldo Caveirinha, among others, have stated they will compete at the Honolulu Open. Among the teams, all the most traditional schools on the Hawaiian archipelago will be represented, like Gracie Barra, Relson Gracie, Nova União, Brazilian Freestyle, Grappling Unlimited, Gracie Technics, Gracie Humaitá, Maui Jiu-Jitsu, Longman JJ, Mad Tiger JJ and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu North Shore, among others.

Another feature is the tribute to BJ Penn, Egan Inoue, Renato Charuto, Luis Limão, Kai Garcia and Bruno Longman, who all will receive a black belt diploma from the IBJJF.

Frazatto garantiu presença no Havaí. Foto: Ivan Trindade

A IBJJF prorrogou o prazo de inscrições para o Honolulu Open. A data final era neste sábado, mas foi estendida até o dia 31 de agosto, próxima terça-feira (inscreva-se aqui).

O evento, que acontece no dia 4 de setembro, no ginásio da Henry J. Kaiser High School, marca a volta de grandes competições da IBJJF ao Havaí. Os faixas-pretas Bruno Frazatto, Jonatas Tagarela, Bruno Bastos, Laércio Fernandes e Aldo Caveirinha, entre outros, disseram que estarão dentro do Honolulu Open. Entre as equipes, times tradicionais do arquipélago havaiano como Gracie Barra, Relson Gracie, Nova União, Brazilian Freestyle, Grappling Unlimited, Gracie Technics, Gracie Humaitá, Maui Jiu-Jitsu, Longman JJ, Mad Tiger JJ e Gracie Jiu Jitsu North Shore, entre tantas outras, também devem estar dentro.

Outro ponto alto é a homenagem a BJ Penn, Egan Inoue, Renato Charuto, Luis Limão, Kai Garcia e Bruno Longman, que receberão o diploma de faixa-preta da IBJJF.

UFC star BJ Penn. Photo: publicity

This coming September 4 the Honolulu International Open will mark the return of major competitions to Hawaii. But what’s more, the IBJJF is preparing a special tribute to the six resident black belts on the archipelago, among them BJ Penn.

“We’re going to present black belt diplomas to BJ Penn, Egan Inoue, Renato Charuto, Luis Limão, Kai Garcia and Bruno Longman. We’re contacting them all. The event will be really cool and there’s only a week left to sign up,” recounts André Fernandes.

BJ Penn with world championship gold medal. Photo: publicity

On August 28 the honored BJ will see action at UFC 118 in Boston, when he attempts to take back the organization’s lightweight belt against Frankie Edgar. BJ remembers his days participating in IBJJF competitions, which he considers an important step in his success as a fighter.

“I never took it seriously, but I started to change my way of thinking before the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship finals. I was in the final and remember thinking: ‘I’ll never be in this position again. So get out there and do the possible and impossible to win.’ And that’s why I think today I’m good under pressure,” remembers BJ on the UFC website.

For anyone who wants to be a champion like BJ, or just wants to feel the adrenaline and put their Jiu-Jitsu to the test, all you need to do is sign up for the Honolulu Open clicking here.

Now in the meantime, check out “Baby” Jay at the 2000 World Championship, the year he became the first non-Brazilian black belt to win the title.